# Hoops College > Hoops College is a youth basketball coaching and player development resource founded by Aram Parunak. The site provides honest, direct, experience-based advice about basketball player development, college recruiting, coaching philosophy, and the realities of the youth basketball industry. Aram rejects hype and marketing fluff — his voice is grounded in real coaching experience and a commitment to player-first development. ## About Aram Parunak Aram Parunak is the founder of Hoops College and a veteran youth basketball coach. He writes from direct coaching experience — not theory. His work focuses on honest evaluation, skill development over exposure, and preparing players for the realities of recruiting and college basketball. ## What Hoops College Covers - Youth basketball player development (skill development, decision-making, fundamentals) - College basketball recruiting realities (the transfer portal, reclassification, exposure events) - Coaching philosophy and program evaluation - AAU and travel basketball — honest assessments - Parent and player accountability in youth sports - Read & React offensive framework ## Key Pages - [About Hoops College](https://www.hoopscollege.com/about/): Mission, vision and background - [Blog](https://www.hoopscollege.com/blog/): All articles on youth basketball development and recruiting - [Courses](https://www.hoopscollege.com/courses/): Basketball training courses and programs ## Blog Posts - [Stop Blaming the System and Start Working](https://www.hoopscollege.com/stop-blaming-the-system-and-start-working): I'm tired of hearing people complain about youth basketball. Tournament directors are greedy.... - [Are Basketball Training Programs a Scam? Let's Be Honest About Youth Sports](https://www.hoopscollege.com/are-basketball-training-programs-a-scam-lets-be-honest-about-youth-sports): Someone asked me today if what we do is a scam. He was joking, then followed up with "I love a... - [That's Not Basketball](https://www.hoopscollege.com/thats-not-basketball): You're Not Even Doing the Thing You Said You'd Do Youth basketball programs sell two things,... - [The Transfer Portal Changed Everything — and High School Players Still Don't Know It](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-transfer-portal-changed-everything-and-high-school-players-still-dont-know-it): Let's be honest about what you're really competing against. High school players and their parents... - [Here's How You Fix Youth Basketball. Nobody Will Do It.](https://www.hoopscollege.com/how-to-fix-youth-basketball-development): Here's How You Fix Youth Basketball. Nobody Will Do It. Let me be clear about something before I... - [Is Youth Basketball Development Actually Helping Your Child — Or Just Keeping Them Busy?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/is-youth-basketball-developing-your-child): We Care. The System Doesn't. Let me be real with you for a minute — not as a marketer, not as... - [Stop Paying for Basketball That Doesn't Teach Basketball](https://www.hoopscollege.com/stop-paying-for-basketball-that-doesnt-teach-basketball): The truth is, a lot of youth basketball right now is built on a lie. Not an intentional one. But a... - [The Worst Habit Anyone Can Have: What is Your Standard?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-worst-habit-anyone-can-have-what-is-your-standard): Letting someone else set your standard is probably the worst habit anyone can have. It's easy to... - [Stop Chasing Exposure. Start Chasing Excellence.](https://www.hoopscollege.com/stop-chasing-exposure-start-chasing-excellence): In youth basketball, the chase for exposure has become louder than the pursuit of excellence.... - [Improvement Is Only the Beginning for Basketball Players](https://www.hoopscollege.com/improvement-is-only-the-beginning-for-basketball-players): You've Improved — Now What? Progress feels amazing. You see the results, hear the praise, and feel... - [Basketball Playmaking Development: "Don't Play For Yourself" is the Wrong Answer](https://www.hoopscollege.com/basketball-playmaking-development-dont-play-for-yourself-is-the-wrong-answer): There's a contradiction in basketball playmaking development that shows up everywhere. We... - [Why So Many People Think Basketball Training Is a Waste of Time](https://www.hoopscollege.com/why-so-many-people-think-basketball-training-is-a-waste-of-time): There's a common belief in basketball: players just need game reps. Or worse, that basketball... - [Youth Basketball Player Development: Why 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 Matter More Than Teams](https://www.hoopscollege.com/youth-basketball-player-development-why-1-on-1-and-3-on-3-matter-more-than-teams): When it comes to Youth Basketball Player Development, 1-on-1 and 3-on-3 Matter More Than Teams. If... - [The Results Are the Results](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-results-are-the-results): Basketball is a results oriented business. Do you produce?  More points. Better efficiency. More... - [Making Simple Things Difficult: The Hoops College Way](https://www.hoopscollege.com/making-simple-things-difficult-the-hoops-college-way): This is the Hoops College Way. We've mastered something that most trainers and coaches don't.... - [If You're the Best, You Gotta Be the Best](https://www.hoopscollege.com/if-youre-the-best-you-gotta-be-the-best): Everyone wants to be the best. Who would say no to that? Most don't do the first thing to even try. - [Developing Basketball Players](https://www.hoopscollege.com/developing-basketball-players): Developing basketball players isn't an exact science. Each player is different and needs different... - [Decision Making](https://www.hoopscollege.com/decision-making): Basketball and life are about decision-making. Should you shoot or pass? Well it depends on your... - [Development of basketball players](https://www.hoopscollege.com/development-of-basketball-players): Developing basketball players is what we do every day.  For the past 7 years, working with... - [Reclassification: The Reality](https://www.hoopscollege.com/reclassification-the-reality): Reclassification is very popular among American basketball players.  It is the practice of making... - [The Source of Confidence](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-source-of-confidence): What is the source of confidence?  A lot of players and people struggle with confidence.  Did they... - [Recruiting is More Than Just Sales](https://www.hoopscollege.com/recruiting-is-more-than-just-sales): Recruiting is more than just a sales pitch.  Some coaches are labeled as good recruiters because... - [The Buck Stops Here](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-buck-stops-here): As a head coach and as a coaching staff, it is our responsibility to accept fault for every... - [What are College Coaches Looking For?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/what-are-college-coaches-looking-for): It's recruiting season.  The NCAA D1 men's transfer portal for men's basketball has over 1300... - [For Serious Basketball Players](https://www.hoopscollege.com/for-serious-basketball-players): If you consider basketball just a recreational sport, that's great, but this isn't for you.... - [Improve Youth Basketball](https://www.hoopscollege.com/improve-youth-basketball): Attention Youth Basketball Parents and Coaches, It isn't about you or me.  It's about the kids. If... - [Basketball Training is Hard](https://www.hoopscollege.com/basketball-training-is-hard): Thanks for the email. Our basketball training is hard. What we've learned in doing this is that... - [Dear Parent of a Prospective College Basketball Player](https://www.hoopscollege.com/dear-parent-of-a-prospective-college-basketball-player): Parent of a Prospective College Basketball Player, Thanks for reaching out to us.  I know we... - [The Lack of Fundamental Development](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-lack-of-fundamental-development): The lack of fundamental development in youth basketball is alarming. Over the last few months,... - [Are You Ever Really Ready?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/are-you-ever-really-ready): Are you ever really ready? Before you have a child, did you know what it was going to be like to... - [Reasons Kids Should Play Recreational Basketball](https://www.hoopscollege.com/reasons-kids-should-play-recreational-basketball): Working with kids of all ages has been an interesting learning experience when it comes to their... - [Chase Excellence, Not Perfection](https://www.hoopscollege.com/chase-excellence-not-perfection): We think it's critical to chase excellence, not perfection. I think perfectionism is something we... - [Can Someone Help Me Understand?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/can-someone-help-me-understand): Can someone help me understand? For most of my life, I have been pretty much secluded from the... - [Consistency is the Key to Success](https://www.hoopscollege.com/consistency): Consistency is the key to success in anything, not just basketball.  But we love basketball so... - [Choose Lonely (if you want to be great)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/choose): "You have to choose to be... - [Let Them Fail](https://www.hoopscollege.com/let-them-fail): Why don't we let them fail?  Why do we pretend that our kids aren't human?  Why do we try to... - [Basketball Near Me](https://www.hoopscollege.com/basketball-near-me): When I go to Google and I search Basketball Near Me, I shake my head. When I think about all of... - [The Narrative about AAU](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-narrative-about-aau): So the narrative about AAU is very prevalent. The idea is that you have to play "AAU" or travel... - [It's Political](https://www.hoopscollege.com/its-political): "It's political". It's something we hear so often. Could it be true? ABSOLUTELY. Here's what... - [Overusing Ball Screens](https://www.hoopscollege.com/overusing-ball-screens): The ball screen has become a very popular offensive strategy in the game of basketball. In many... - [Keeping Things Simple](https://www.hoopscollege.com/keeping-things-simple): When basketball teams present you with complicated situations, the best way to respond is by... - [Pickup Basketball: The Good, Bad, and Ugly](https://www.hoopscollege.com/pickup-basketball-the-good-bad-and-ugly): Pickup basketball is the most popular way that basketball is played. Millions of people around the... - [You Can Have My Job](https://www.hoopscollege.com/you-can-have-my-job): You can have my job. But the truth is you don't really want it that bad.  It sure looks... - [Kids Should Play 3 on 3](https://www.hoopscollege.com/kids-should-play-3-on-3): Kids should play 3 on 3 basketball simply because there are fewer players on the court. Your next... - [What is Important to You?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/what-is-important-to-you): What is important to you? Whether I was recruiting athletes, coaching them, or now training them,... - [Evaluate Your "AAU" Program](https://www.hoopscollege.com/evaluate-your-aau-program): Parents and Players,Please evaluate your "AAU" program. You are spending considerable money paying... - [We Love Winners](https://www.hoopscollege.com/winners): We love winners because winners make us better. We've said many times, we don't care who we work... - [Crazy is Better Than Lazy](https://www.hoopscollege.com/crazy-is-better-than-lazy): From what I can tell there are 3 types of people in this world.  Crazy, normal, and lazy.... - [What is "Small Ball"?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/small-ball): What is "small ball"?   The game of basketball looks a lot different now than it did 10 years ago.... - [Look In the Mirror](https://www.hoopscollege.com/look-in-the-mirror): How often do you look in the mirror? When you do, what do you see? Do you see the real you? Do you... - [Playing NCAA Division 1](https://www.hoopscollege.com/ncaa-division-1): When I hear players say that they want to play NCAA Division 1, I have one question. "Why?" Here... - [The Games Within the Game](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-games-within-the-game): There are a lot of games within the game of basketball.  Can we please stop acting like it's... - [Feel Sorry for Winners](https://www.hoopscollege.com/feel-sorry-for-winners): When the scoreboard says 91-9 or something similar, I feel sorry for the winners, not the losers. - [Reasons Players Play](https://www.hoopscollege.com/reasons-players-play): Whether it's a 5-year-old who is playing basketball for the first time or a 50-year-old playing in... - [Expertise: Basketball and COVID-19](https://www.hoopscollege.com/expertise-basketball-and-covid-19): Expertise: expert skill or knowledge in a particular field And since the definition of expertise... - [Culture and Accountability](https://www.hoopscollege.com/culture-and-accountability): Culture and accountability are very often talked about together. Culture: the "standard", the way... - [Coaching Youth Basketball](https://www.hoopscollege.com/coaching-youth-basketball): Coaching youth basketball is many times a volunteer service.  Coaches don't get paid or at least... - [How Much Do We Love?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/how-much-do-we-love): Donald Miller gives a great perspective on love. I don't know if he knows anything about... - [Spin Move on Basketball Analytics](https://www.hoopscollege.com/spin-move-on-basketball-analytics): Basketball analytics suggest that teams should shoot 3's, free throws, and layups or dunks.  If a... - [Youth Basketball Petition](https://www.hoopscollege.com/youth-basketball-petition): I'd like to start a youth basketball petition. Kids shouldn't play 5 on 5 until they are at least... - [The Process: Conclusion Part 6](https://www.hoopscollege.com/process): The process is so important in the development of our players and our team. We talk about the... - [The Process: The Bridge Part 5](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-process-the-bridge-part-5): This topic of knowledge vs. action is extremely interesting to me. The most interesting part is... - [The Process: The Engineer Part 4](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-process-the-engineer-part-4): As a coach, I am an engineer. I'm not designing buildings or aircraft carriers. I'm engineering... - [The Process: The Ingredients Part 3](https://www.hoopscollege.com/ingredients): The process of turning knowledge into action is like a recipe.  Turning information into action... - [The Process: Knowledge vs Action Part 2](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-process-knowledge-vs-action-part-2): To know or to act. To be or to seem. This topic seems to be at the heart of success, on and off... - [The Process: Knowledge vs. Action Part 1](https://www.hoopscollege.com/the-process-knowing-vs-doing-part-1): The Obvious Most of us know what to do. Do we put that into action? So many coaches and players... - [You're the President](https://www.hoopscollege.com/youre-the-president): You're the President, like it or not. A coaching colleague introduced me to The West Wing. At that... - [You gotta put the ball in the basket](https://www.hoopscollege.com/you-gotta-put-the-ball-in-the-basket): You gotta put the ball in the basket. The game is called basketball.  The objective is to put the... - [Sifting Through the Garbage](https://www.hoopscollege.com/sifting-through-the-garbage): Honestly, social media is exhausting. Recently, I struggle to understand it to the point that I... - [Sports Equality is Earned](https://www.hoopscollege.com/sports-equality-is-earned): Sports is a business. Like it or not, it's the facts. What might have started as activities during... - [Thank You, Basketball](https://www.hoopscollege.com/thank-you): Thank you, Basketball. You're a silly game that has given me more than I ever dreamed possible.... - [Love the Game](https://www.hoopscollege.com/love-the-game): Love the Game I hear so many people talk about how much they "love the game" of basketball. Then I... - [Coach: One Definition](https://www.hoopscollege.com/coach-definition): What is your definition of coach? Have you ever thought about where our current use of the word... - [New Year's Perspective](https://www.hoopscollege.com/new-years-perspective): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrQ_BSBPLYI New Year's Perspective Here's a different perspective... - [Recruiting Services Review Conclusion](https://www.hoopscollege.com/recruiting-services-review-conclusion): Recruiting Services Review Conclusion In our recruiting services review conclusion, it is... - [Recruiting Service Review Part 4](https://www.hoopscollege.com/recruiting-service-review-part-4): Recruiting Service Review Part 4 In Part 4 of the recruiting services review, we are going to talk... - [Recruiting Services Review Part 3](https://www.hoopscollege.com/recruiting-services-review-part-3): Recruiting Services Review Part 3 In the Recruiting Services Review Part 3, we talk about part of... - [Recruiting Services Review Part 2](https://www.hoopscollege.com/recruiting-services-review-part-2): Recruiting Services Review Part 2 Our recruiting services review started with a couple reasons... - [Recruiting Service Review Part 1](https://www.hoopscollege.com/recruiting-service-review-part-1): Many athletes and their families think they need a recruiting service in order to get a scholarship. - [The Reality of a Redshirt Opportunity](https://www.hoopscollege.com/redshirt): The Reality of a Redshirt Opportunity In the recruiting process, you might be offered the... - [The People Who Aren't on Your Page](https://www.hoopscollege.com/your-page): The People Who Aren't on Your Page There are a lot of people out there who aren't on your page. ... - [Make Things Happen Yourself](https://www.hoopscollege.com/make-things-happen): Make Things Happen Yourself Let's be real. Most of you aren't doing what you could or should be... - [Is Hard Work Enough?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/hard-work): Is Hard Work Enough? I'm sure a lot of you put in a lot of hard work. I'm sure a lot of you have... - [Whatever It Takes](https://www.hoopscollege.com/whatever): Whatever It Takes What does "whatever it takes" even mean? How many of you say you want to play... - [Don't Get Bamboozled](https://www.hoopscollege.com/bamboozled): Getting recruited is such an exciting process. Along with all of the excitement comes confusion... - [Teaching The Game](https://www.hoopscollege.com/teaching-the-game): Teaching The Game Coaches, just to keep it real, we need to do a better job teaching players to... - [Stationary Post Players](https://www.hoopscollege.com/stationary-post-players): Stationary Post Players Have you ever thought about keeping your post players stationary in your... - [Attack Dribble Multiple Actions](https://www.hoopscollege.com/attack-dribble-multiple-actions): Attack Dribble Multiple Actions This post will cover the attack dribble with 2 or more actions.... - [Breakdown for Attack Dribble](https://www.hoopscollege.com/breakdown-for-attack-dribble): The Breakdown for Attack Dribble This will break down the Attack Dribble Layer starting with 2... - [Relentless Life, Loved Unconditionally (Episode 22)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/my-purpose): Relentless Life, Loved Unconditionally Are you living a relentless life? Do you realize that you... - [Breakdown for Attack Dribble (2 players 1 action)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/breakdown-for-attack): The Breakdown for Attack Dribble This post starts the breakdown for Attack Dribble Layer starting... - [Positive Matters ft. Shawn Postiglione (Episode 21)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/positive): Positive Matters In the heat of competition, or just in every day life being positive matters.... - [The Hoops College Methodology](https://www.hoopscollege.com/methodology): The Hoops College Methodology Hoops College strives to present things in a very clear concise and... - [Winning a National Championship ft. Jennifer King (Episode 20)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/winning-a-national-championship): Winning a National Championship Winning a national championship is the goal of every college... - [Attack Dribble Breakdown](https://www.hoopscollege.com/attack-dribble-breakdown): Attack Dribble Breakdown Since this Attack Dribble breakdown is the first layer we have covered,... - [Points of Emphasis (Attack Dribble)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/attack): Points of Emphasis (Attack Dribble) Initiator (Attacker/Ball Handler) Drive to Create Offense At... - [Conflict & Competition (Episode 19)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/conflict): Conflict & Competition Conflict and competition can be either good or bad.  It's about your... - [Attack Dribble Layer](https://www.hoopscollege.com/attack-dribble-layer): Attack Dribble Attack Dribble (North-South Dribble) is the first layer of the Read and React... - [Junior College Perspective ft. Ryan Davis (Episode 18)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/junior-college-perspective): Junior College Perspective The junior college perspective can include the perspective of a four... - [Circle Movement Introduction](https://www.hoopscollege.com/circle-movement-introduction): Circle Movement Circle Movement is the term to describe what players without the ball should do... - [Defense Wins Championships, Right?](https://www.hoopscollege.com/defense-wins): Defense Wins Championships, Right? Defense is just as important if not more important than offense. - [Dribble First](https://www.hoopscollege.com/dribble): Dribble First Bob Knight once said that he would like to take his guards to an island with 1,000... - [Fundamentals are Required For Success](https://www.hoopscollege.com/fundamentals-required): Fundamentals are Required The offensive system and style of play described here include the... - [Faith & Fear (Episode 17)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast): Faith & Fear Faith is in a constant battle with fear. In other words, both of them are monsters... - [Fundamental Skills and Athleticism (Episode 16)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/fundamental-skills): Fundamental Skills and Athleticism WIthout any scientific research to really back this up, I would... - [Outline the Basics for Read & React](https://www.hoopscollege.com/offensive-basics): This post will provide an outline of the basics for Read & React style of play. Players can... - [Why Use the Read & React Framework](https://www.hoopscollege.com/framework): Why Use This Framework Admittedly, coaching in the Read & React framework is significantly... - [Making Adjustments (Episode 15)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/adjustments): Making Adjustments Coaches are judged fairly or not by their ability to make adjustments during... - [High School Perspective ft. Marcus Dilligard (Episode 14)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/high-school): High School Perspective High school coaches are the most important coaches in the game. They have... - [Mission, Vision, Purpose (Episode 13)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/mission): Hoops College Mission Vision & Purpose Mission Using basketball, we educate to develop and expose... - [Communicate With Your Team During Games (Episode 12)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/communicate-with-your-team-during-games): Communicate With Your Team During Games Coaches often use timeouts as opportunities to communicate... - [Why Should You Call Timeout? (Episode 11)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/why-should-you-call-timeout): Why Should You Call A Timeout? Every timeout is precious.  We have a limited number of timeouts so... - [Team Building in the Off Season ft. Jimmy Garrity (Episode 10)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/team-building-in-the-off-season): Team Building We all want our teams to have good chemistry. Most coaches want them to become... - [Gaining Buy-In ft. Gayle Coats Fulks (Episode 9)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/buy-in): Gaining Buy-In Coach Gayle Coats Fulks of Davidson College talks about gaining buy-in from her new... - [Changing My Team's Identity ft. Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick, (Episode 8)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/podcast/changing-my-teams-identity): Changing My Team's Identity Every team will develop their own identity whether you want them to or... - [What Do My Players Think I Think Is Important? (Episode 7)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/players-think-i-think-important): What Do My Players Think I Think Is Important? Do you know what is important for you and your... - [Changing My Least Favorite Part of Practice (Episode 6)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/changing-practice): Changing My Least Favorite Part of Practice Here are 8 reasons why you might dread a certain part... - [My Favorite Part of Practice ft. Rhet Wierzba (Episode 5)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/my-favorite-part-practice): My Favorite Part of Practice Practice is our classroom. If we don't get excited when we get to... - [Ask and Answer Questions](https://www.hoopscollege.com/ask-and-answer-questions): Ask and Answer Questions Hoops College likes to ask and answer questions.  We want to figure out... - [Framework for Basketball Players and Coaches](https://www.hoopscollege.com/framework-basketball-players-coaches): Framework for Basketball Players and Coaches The Framework's Framework We are providing a... - [Purpose of Hoops College](https://www.hoopscollege.com/purpose): The Purpose of Hoops College Hoops College was once a way to share philosophies on offensive... - [Implementing the Read & React with Your Personnel ft. Mike Bona (Episode 4)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/implement-read-react-personnel): Implementing the Read & React with Your Personnel How are we most likely to score? How do I get my... - [Which Read & React Layer Should I Teach First? (Episode 3)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/which-read-react-layer-should-i-teach-first-episode-3): Which Read & React Layer Should I Teach First? Are any layers more important than the other? Does... - [Gaining a Defensive Advantage in BLOB Situations (Episode 2)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/defensive-advantage-blobs): Gaining a Defensive Advantage in BLOB Situations   We mentioned in the last episode teams... - [Offensive Advantage on BLOB Situations (Episode 1)](https://www.hoopscollege.com/blob-offensive-advantage): Gaining an Offensive Advantage on BLOBs   In the first episode of the Hoops College Coach's... - [Hoops College Blog is Back](https://www.hoopscollege.com/back): Hoops College Blog is Back The blog was alive and well for over 7 years.  It started as a way for... ## Contact & Social - Website: https://www.hoopscollege.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopscollege - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hoops-college ## Licensing All content on Hoops College is original writing by Aram Parunak. Please cite the source when referencing this content.