AAU Program/Camps

The CT Wizards AAU Boys’ Basketball Program

The CT Wizards AAU Boys’ Basketball Program is a revolutionary AAU Basketball Program!    It represents a paradigm shift in the approach toward teaching youth basketball.  Due to the underlying principles and philosophies guiding the program, each player receives the maximum opportunity to develop throughout the entirety of the season.  Incorporated within the CT Wizards Program is the superior emphasis on individual skill development, character development, and the setting of realistic and attainable goals from week to week! 

CT Wizards Philosophy Toward AAU

The CT Wizards coaching staff takes an extraordinary approach to the AAU season.  As AAU has become primarily a tournament venue, with the emphasis on exposure and winning, The CT Wizards Program places its priority on the value of its practice regimen!  Coach Walton and his coaching staff believe that the AAU Basketball season is the “Off-season.”  Despite the fact that The CT Wizards Program competes in and wins AAU tournaments, the measurable progress of each player takes precedence over the win/loss outcome of each tournament.   The CT Wizards Coaches and Players alike know from experience that the true growth comes BETWEEN the games!

How it Works - (PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!)

Attending a CT Wizards Practice is unlike ANY practice the players have ever gone to!       Using advanced basketball training tools (Agility Ladders, Lateral Resistors, Reaction Balls, Training Vests, Hurdles, Resistance Cords, etc.) within practice sessions, Coach Walton and his staff incorporate the most unique approach to developing players from all facets of the game.   In fact, each player begins the season with a “CT Wizards Training Goals Booklet.”  Embedded within every page are guidelines that parallel our practice sessions.  The “CT Wizards Training Goals Booklets” are then accessed and utilized between practices by the players in order to create their own regimen at home every day for 30-45 minutes.

Skill Drill Approach (“Feel and Feedback”)

As Coach Walton has built his reputation as a Skill Development Specialist, more and more high school and college players have come to him to assist them in developing to their potential (Testimonials Link).  Over time, he has honed his abilities to develop versatile, skilled players into a practice regimen that streamlines each player’s development.  Within each CT Wizards practice, players are exposed to the advanced fundamental concepts that Coach Walton has implemented and devised to develop countless players.  This ‘Skill Drill” Approach has proven to be invaluable, as each drill is carefully selected and used to challenge each player’s current level of proficiency while assisting players to comprehend the kinesthetic (efficient, coordinated, balanced, athletic) movements and especially, the ballhandling aspects of their own skill development. 

This overall approach is a critical component to our regimen.  It allows for players to self-analyze and correct based on what they can “feel” as they are attempting to execute a new skill drill.  From there, during and throughout practice, attention to detail and immediate and ongoing feedback is provided to players from the coaching staff.  By understanding what it “feels” like when players are doing it correctly, the coaching staff and the player are then able to ensure that players are practicing and executing all movements correctly, and with confidence. 

Practicing for Mastery

Coach Walton and the CT Wizards Coaching Staff break down skill drills and ballhandling into    6 Stages of Mastery! Each practice is planned to assess and improve upon each player’s current level of mastery.  And it is the intent of each practice for players to receive the maximum amount of repetitions possible in order to receive proper feedback and reinforcement. 
The final phase of our strategic player development plan is then for players to set specific training goals through utilizing “The CT Wizards Training Goals Booklet.” By using the player improvement guidelines that coincide with our practice regimen, each player becomes more accountable for their own progress.  As a result, players adapt very quickly to functionally implementing challenging, dynamic and versatile skill drills into their own unique practice regimen.   Most of all, Players begin to really practice with a passion and progress significantly week to week!