ETG Midwest - Nebraska Supreme - OSA Crusaders: Program Review

A few weeks ago while I was attending and evaluation players at the PGH/PH Top 250-Expo in Bellevue, Nebraska I was offered to come out to watch ETG Midwest [program_tooltip program_id='713325' first='Elite' last=''] host a workout in the same area. During this workout I had the privilege to meeting all of the coaches and get some real insight on how this program is being ran. In the article below I am going to give my notes/review of the program as a whole, while also breaking it down from an outside perspective, to help people understand their system a little bit better.   Overview:   This program unlike others has three different "Identities" in which they go by to compete. They are known as ETG Midwest [program_tooltip program_id='713325' first='Elite' last=''] (3SSB), [program_tooltip program_id='715717' first='Nebraska' last='Supreme'] (Select 40), & OSA Crusaders. All three teams are ran by the same overall "director" but compete at different levels of competition throughout the year. I simplified their breakdown below as to how they place the players on each perspective team.   How The Teams Break Down:   "First Team" Players - ETG Midwest [program_tooltip program_id='713325' first='Elite' last=''] - 3SSB (Adidas Circuit)   "Second Team" Players - [program_tooltip program_id='715717' first='Nebraska' last='Supreme'] - Select 40 (UA Circuit)   Remaining Players - OSA Crusaders National OR Lincoln Supreme National - Both same caliber but one team is location in Omaha compared to the other located in Lincoln, NE.   Remaining Players - OSA Crusaders Regional OR Lincoln Supreme Regional - Both same caliber but one team is located in Omaha compared to the other located in Lincoln, NE.   When you see this breakdown its seems pretty cut and dry but they do have a lot of teams competing, which can only mean one thing, MORE OPPORTUNITY for everyone!   Recipe For Success:   Each of the teams that I have listed above have been successful on the basketball court over the past few seasons in one way or another. The reasons for that could be attributed to a number of different things but I think the biggest reason is because of the training systems, trainers, and coaches they have set in place. This program gives the opportunities for its players to workout 3/4 days a week, depending on their location, practicing a mixture of individual skill work & team strategy stuff with trainers who know what they are talking about. Shane Hennen of Hennen Workouts & Adam Barnes of Going Vertical NE, both are individuals with years of experience helping men/women players get to the college/pro levels, and they are consistently helping the players in this program get better, each and every session. What makes these guys so good? In my opinion, it's two things. 1 - They are personable. They walk around and talk with the players on a personal level. That helps the connection between the trainer and player, which is crucial in the learning/retaining process for the trainee. 2 - They understand HOW TO teach. It's not just that they know how to explain ball but I think that they could truly teach anything they understand to someone else. They keep it simple and relatable to the person/s they are working with, creating results at a high and efficient rate. There are not many people in today's game that I would personally let train my own kids when the times come but these two, I would have no problems/questions with. Their results speak for themselves.   Having the resources in place to help your players grow whenever they want to, in this day of age, is a huge advantage and this program knows that. I think that the other half of the battle, that many programs face, is consistently getting their high level players in the gym together, to compete against each other prior to the season but that does not seem to be an issue with this group. When I attended this workout, there were 35+ players in the gym and more than half of them were college level athletes. You always hear the term "iron sharpens iron" and the best programs have that. They have high level players that will push each other to new heights on the court and that's when teams become unstoppable. I saw glimpses of that at this session.   Close Notes:   This program held tryouts a few weeks ago and they are still finalizing who will be on what team but I'm sure that most of the players already have an idea where they are going to be placed. As of right now, I am not going to name the players that specifically were at these tryouts but let me just say, the teams that this program will have this upcoming Spring are going to be STACKED with talent from top to bottom. Not to ruin any surprises for anyone but there are a number of HIGHLY skilled players coming out of Iowa, that will be on the top teams for their perspective Class and I think that says a lot as to what this program is providing for these ladies. Players are traveling 2-3+ hours to attend some of the stuff being put on by this group and that speaks volumes.   Overall, as a whole this program is one of the best in the Midwest at what they do and it shows in their results each AAU season both in teams wins and collegiate scholarship offers. They provide players with the resources to become better throughout the year with some of the best coaches, trainers, and facilities that are available out there. From everything I have seen, this is only the start as to what is going to have a chance to be one of the best overall programs in the country throughout the next few years, if they keep on the trajectory they are currently on.

A few weeks ago while I was attending and evaluation players at the PGH/PH Top 250-Expo in Bellevue, Nebraska I was offered to come out to watch ETG Midwest Elite host a workout in the same area. During this workout I had the privilege to meeting all of the coaches and get some real insight on how this program is being ran. In the article below I am going to give my notes/review of the program as a whole, while also breaking it down from an outside perspective, to help people understand their system a little bit better.