As I continue to develop my craft as a trainer, I realize that there are certain areas of the game that are not being taught to our youth.  As coaches and trainers we have to do a better job of strengthening these weaknesses when we see them.  Once you learn a certain skill as a player-your job isn't done.  You have to constantly work on that skill until it becomes second nature.  I tell my clients this all of the time.  We could have the greatest session in the world on a Tuesday, but if you don't work on any of your skills by the time we meet on Saturday what's the point? 

Today I want to talk about how to properly use a screen without the ball.  I'm not going to talk about the many scoring options off of a screen-we will revisit that in a later blog.  If you don't understand how to use the screen, you will never get a shot off.  Players such as Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Reggie Miller and Larry Bird immediately come to mind when talking about how to use a screen.  All of these guys have one thing in common: they are all great shooters.  On the flip side, they were never considered the fastest, strongest or most athletic guys in the league.  To their credit, they were able to figure out how to use a screen to create space for their shot.  Here are some steps that will help you perfect the art of using a screen.

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Contact me @ triplethreat@vzw.blackberry.net for individual and group basketball instruction.

On the offensive end of the court, there is one technique that I feel every great scorer must possess-that skill is the pull-up jumper.  The pull-up jump shot is a lost art in today's game.  Most young players either want to get all the way to the basket or rely on taking a three pointer.  On the high school level that may work, but defenses are just too good in college and the pros.  Without a mid-range game you will become too predictable as an offensive player.  If yo 

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Contact me @ triplethreat@vzw.blackberry.net  for individual and group basketball instruction.

I have been training Charles Fenner now for the past two years. During this time Charles has continued to develop his game. However, what I admire most about Charles has nothing to do with how he performs on the court.  The fact that he has his priorities in order says a lot about this young man.  He is a perfect example of what the word student-athlete is all about.  Although he is passionate about the game of basketball-he understands that an education will last a lifetime. In this day in age you don't find too many athletes that are humble and appreciate the many blessings they are given.  Charles understands the value of hard work and dedication-he developed these traits by watching his mom & dad bust their butts day in and day out. 

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 Contact me @ triplethreat@vzw.blackberry.net for individual and group basketball instruction.

Point Guard, PG, Point, 1- An extension of the coach on the floor, a vocal leader.

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VOTE BARACK OBAMA! NOV. 4th!

          It's 8:30 am on a Saturday morning.  You may ask yourself why I'm up so early.  Shouldn't I be sleeping in?  To be great you have to do extraordinary things.  You can't afford to be like everyone else.  Today my goal is to focus on getting better as a trainer.  I truly believe that the day you stop acquiring knowledge in your chosen profession is the day you have to get out of the game.  That goes for coaches, players, trainers, doctors, lawyers, even moms and dads.  "The off season is not vacation time for me.  I have to add a new facet to my game each summer", said Michael Jordan.  What if M.J. was content with his skill-set?  The answer is very simple.  He would never be considered the "greatest player ever".

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VOTE BARACK OBAMA! NOV. 4TH.

          I remember this day vividly.  It was the 05'-06' season and I was watching the Molloy J.V. team play.  Sitting in the bleachers were two legendary individuals, basketball aficionado and someone that I have a lot of respect for- Mr. Tom Konchalski and a man that needs no introduction @ all, coaching the Molloy Varsity Basketball team for 50 years- Mr. Jack Curran.  Coach Curran knows talent when he sees it!  He coached both Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson before they were household names- so you have to be pretty special for him to get excited.  So when Coach Curran said to me, "Russell has a lot of the qualities the Kenny Anderson had."  I had no choice but to pay close attention to this scrawny 5'9' freshman on the court.  Kenny Anderson is not a slouch by any means.  In most circles he's considered the best high school player to ever lace em up.  Those are some huge shoes to fill, but Coach Curran saw the potential in Russ and he believed in him.  "He's always had the innate & intuitive skills on the court.  Now he's able to apply those skills because he's physically stronger.  Russell also has a better understanding of what I expect from him", said Coach Curran.

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REGISTER & VOTE BARACK OBAMA!  NOV 4th.

@ the end of the day- no matter how you slice it.  Moe Hicks is gonna go down as one of the best H.S. coaches ever!  Forget about tiny NYC, we're talking about in the country.  The facts speak for themselves.  (Numerous City & State championships with Brandeis & Rice).  (Producing such talent as Gary Saunders, Kenny Satterfield, Andre Barrett, Keydran Clark, Edgar Sosa, Kemba Walker and Chris Fouch just to name a few.)  Talking to Moe you immediately realize that his basketball I.Q. is sky high-but most importantly he understands people and the way things work.  A man in his position (Rice head Coach, Director of the Gauchos) could easily walk around with a big head.  Conversely, Moe is one of the easiest people to talk to.  Unlike another head coach that Rice easily beats every year, but I'm not saying no names. 

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VOTE BARACK OBAMA!

"If you can be a defensive stopper, the coach will never take you out the game. Everybody can score on that team.  You have to bring something else to the table!"

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Since the last TRIPLE THREAT ATHLETICS blog- I have been getting lots of inquiries about how to train with me and take your game to the next level. If you are serious about becoming better on and off the court, please contact me @ triplethreat@tmo.blackberry.net .

Last time we spoke I explained how passionate I was about my business TRIPLE THREAT ATHLETICS and how important it was for me to help my clients become better both on and off the court.

Today we're going to talk more about the day to day activities of my business. It is extremely fun being an entrepreneur, but I must admit that it isn't the easiest thing in the world. Just like the game of basketball, it's something that you have to constantly work at to become successful. I'm the face of my business. I'm the CEO, Founder, CFO, and President. I have to market and promote. I'm the brand- if I don't perform all of these roles to the best of my abilities, I don't eat. I won't be able to put food on the table for my 8yr old daughter Elissia. If you want security-you get a job like most people. Unfortunately, I'm not like most people. I have huge dreams! Elissia is not going to have any financial issues when she gets older. In order to do that, I have to stay focused!

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My name is Eric R. Harris Jr. I am the Founder and CEO of Triple Threat Athletics, which is a company that enhances fundamental sklls both on and off the court. My #1 goal is to recognize my clients' strengths and weaknesses and prepare them for a college scholarship down the road.  When you come to an Eric Harris workout- you better be  prepared both mentally and physically, because it will be the most challenging thing you've done up to that point in your life!  Successful ball players are mentally tough.  The games become easy once you experiece my program.  At that point, you will begin to excel.

The problem is that most parents today don't understand that you have to invest in your kids today for the payoff that will come in the future. (full scholarship, overseas career, NBA, doctor or lawyer) They would rather purchase the latest  Jordans or Pradas instead of my services that they see as too expensive.  Let's be real, once the $300 pair of Mauris get scratched up, they no longer have value.  Making Charles run because he wasn't 15 min early to our appointment is a life lesson.  These fundamental values will stick with them for the rest  of their lives.

I truly believe that you have to be extremely passionate about whatever you do.  I don't care how much money you make-if you don't love it, you will be miserable.  When I started T.T.A. four years ago, I knew that this was my life's calling.  I wake up  everyday excited and enthusiastic about going to the gym.  As a player, I felt like the gym was my sanctuary.  It didn't matter what other problems I had, when I stepped on the court I was at peace.  So when I tell you that I haven't worked a day the last four years-it's the God to honest truth.

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