This episode explores long-term athlete development in youth basketball, focusing on growth spurts, biological versus chronological age and why early performance does not reliably predict future success. It explains why coordination, shooting accuracy and confidence often drop during rapid growth, why this is a normal adaptation rather than regression, and how training, strength work, skill development, and mindset should be adjusted during these phases to support long-term development instead of short-term results.

Key takeaways

• Early basketball dominance is often driven by early physical maturation, not superior skill
• Biological age can differ significantly from chronological age and strongly affects performance
• Performance drops during growth spurts are normal and represent adaptation, not regression
• Coordination temporarily decreases as limbs grow faster than the nervous system adapts
• Extra conditioning cannot replace skill work during periods of rapid growth
• Strength training is safe during growth when done intelligently and supports injury reduction
• Youth athletes should not copy adult strength programs during growth spurts
• Movement variety and technique should be prioritized over chasing strength numbers
• Speed before puberty is mostly neurological; muscle-driven speed improves after puberty
• Long-term success comes from patience, work ethic, and focusing on development, not comparison

Link to 1-pager with practical advices:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d0YQRjm1EbiFc78c4REJJ3lQAb-wdG-W/view?usp=sharing

Link to episode for Vertical Jump:
https://youtu.be/28-R19myrl4

This episode explores eight evidence-based nutrition principles that help young basketball players improve recovery, energy levels, focus, and long-term performance. The discussion addresses common mistakes like overly processed foods, inconsistent habits, and chasing perfection, while emphasizing mindful eating, variety, gut health, blood sugar stability, and consistency. The episode provides practical, realistic actions players can apply immediately without extreme dieting or restriction.

Key takeaways:

• Nutrition habits often separate developing players from experienced professionals
• Mindful eating helps players identify which foods improve or hurt performance
• Greater food variety supports gut health and recovery
• Eating different colors of fruits and vegetables improves nutrient intake
• Fermented foods can support immune system health over time
• Highly processed foods can negatively affect mood, focus, and confidence
• Food order can help reduce energy crashes from blood sugar spikes
• Food quality matters more than calorie counting
• Consistency with small habits beats short-term perfection
• Improving one habit at a time leads to sustainable progress

Inspired by Zoe Podcast:
https://youtu.be/SM7_QBQ5i-g?si=WFXzaIcPi45M7VsQ

In the second part, Luka reflects on his shift from correction‑focused training to targeted prehab and load monitoring, emphasising that overuse injuries are often due to mismanaged workload rather than a lack of gadgets. He advises parents to be patient and avoid changing teams when things get tough, and urges young athletes to study the game tactically, learn from veterans and enjoy the journey. He closes by sharing his passion for coaching and his new, small‑scale online mentorship project.

Key Takeways

• Remember external stress counts: school, parents and friends add to training load.
• Parents should be patient and trust the process; avoid switching teams too quickly.
• Young players should study the game tactically and learn from veteran players.
• Long‑term development matters more than early success; progress comes from consistent work.
• Coaching is about passion and relationships, not building a huge influencer brand.

Chapters:

00:00 - Testing & program evolution

04:00 - Daily stretches & load monitoring

10:00 - Preventing overuse injuries

14:00 - Mental & external load

18:00 - Trusting the process

24:00 - Summary of the episode

27:00 - Luka’s new project & closing

Performance coach Luka Svilar discusses how to develop young basketball players in a sustainable way. Luka explains why mastering bodyweight movements and simple athletic skills is more important than chasing weight‑room numbers. He stresses teaching athletes why they’re doing an exercise and encouraging self‑motivation. The first part covers routines, nutrition, sleep and prehab habits that separate professionals from youth players.

Key Takeaways

• Master bodyweight strength before adding heavy weights.
• Prioritise simple movement skills (sprints, jumps, wrestling) over chasing numbers.
• Encourage curiosity and self‑motivation; ask for help and understand the purpose of drills.
• Build routines around sleep, nutrition, stretching and prehab to support growth.
• Use simple load monitoring (time on feet, session RPE) rather than high‑tech gadgets.

Chapter:

00:00 - Intro & building relationship

06:00 - Getting buy‑in from youth athletes

24:30 - Motivation & discipline

32:40 - Veterans vs. youngsters

38:40 - Checklists & habits

46:00 - Consistency & personal stories

Stan discusses the importance of consistency, hard work, and controlling what you can in the journey of becoming a professional basketball player. He emphasizes that success in basketball is not just about talent but also about the dedication to the process, showing up consistently, and maximizing opportunities. Through the story of a player who worked his way up from lower leagues, Stan illustrates that perseverance and a strong work ethic are crucial for achieving one's goals in basketball.

Takeaways

• Time will only reward those who stay committed.
• Impacting the game goes beyond just scoring points.
• Consistency in practice is key to improvement.
• Focus on what you can control in your performance.
• Maximize every opportunity given by coaches.
• Hard work often goes unnoticed but is essential.
• Success is a journey, not a destination.
• Building a strong work ethic takes time and effort.
• Stay in the game long enough to see results.
• Greatness requires sacrifices and dedication.

Stan discusses the invisible pressure athletes place on themselves, particularly the pursuit of perfectionism. He explores how this self-imposed pressure can lead to anxiety, decreased enjoyment of the game, and a distorted sense of self-worth tied to performance. Stan emphasizes the importance of reframing thoughts from 'I have to' to 'I choose to' and offers practical strategies to help athletes manage their expectations and cultivate self-compassion. The conversation highlights the need for a healthier approach to motivation and performance in sports.


Takeaways

• Athletes often impose unrealistic expectations on themselves.
• Perfectionism can lead to anxiety and decreased enjoyment of sports.
• Healthy motivation is about wanting to play well, not needing to be perfect.
• Self-worth should not be tied to performance in sports.
• Recognizing the difference between 'I have to' and 'I choose to' can reduce pressure.
• Listing successes can help shift focus from mistakes to achievements.
• Compassion towards oneself is crucial for mental well-being.
• The fear of failure can hinder performance and enjoyment.
• Understanding the real consequences of mistakes can alleviate pressure.
• Consistency and effort are more important than perfection.

Stan discusses the nature of true confidence, emphasizing that it is not about being loud or flashy, but rather a quiet, deep-seated belief in one's abilities. He highlights the importance of preparation and hard work, illustrating that confidence stems from the hours of practice and dedication put in, even when no one is watching. The conversation also touches on the example of successful athletes like S. Curry, who embody this principle of internal confidence built through effort.

Takeaways

• True confidence is not loud, it's quiet.
• Internal belief in your ability is key.
• Confidence comes from hours of practice.
• It's about knowing you have hours of work.
• The confident player is the one who puts in the work.
• It's not about making the shot, it's about deserving it.
• Preparation leads to true confidence.
• Seppancurry exemplifies hard work and confidence.
• Loudness does not equate to confidence.
• Confidence is deep and internal.

Stan discusses the dual nature of social media as a tool for learning and a source of negative comparison. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a growth mindset while recognizing the dangers of passive consumption and the toxic effects of comparing oneself to others.


Takeaways

• When you are using social media to learn, you are in the growth mindset.
• You're actively looking for ways to improve your game.
• We are scrolling, we are passively consuming the content.
• This can lead to negative feelings about oneself.
• You're comparing your highlight reels to others.
• It's toxic to wonder why you don't get the same opportunities.
• Social media can be a double-edged sword.
• Maintaining a growth mindset is crucial.
• Awareness of passive consumption is important.
• Comparison can undermine self-worth.