Youth & teen basketball training

We train the skill.
Teach the game.
Build the player.

For youth and teen basketball players who are serious about developing real skill and feel for the game.

4 The Love Of The Game is a training program led by a coach who has played, competed, and coached at every level of the sport from high school to semi-pro ball to national showcases.

1,000+Youths trained
10+Years experience
5.0Average coaching rating
TampaFlorida based

Skill. Confidence. Character.

More than basketball workouts

We train our players to do more than complete drills. They learn how to understand the floor, compete under pressure and become athletes their coaches and teammates can trust.

Conditioning

Conditioning

Accountability and Mentorship

Accountability and Mentorship

Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ

Competitive Training

Competitive Training

Fundamental Skill Development

Fundamental Skill Development

Confidence Building

Confidence Building

What parents say

Testimonials

★★★★★
First off, Walter is extremely professional. You can tell right off that he takes his job seriously. He was amazing with my son, who spoke so highly of him after just the first session and is putting in so much work from the advice and coaching Walter gave him. Finding him was a great thing seeing as we just moved to Florida two weeks ago.
Annesha · via CoachUp
★★★★★
My son is loving his coaching. We are not very far into this private one-on-one process, but Coach Perkins is personable, professional, motivating and fun. Just what we were looking for.
Cynthia · via CoachUp
★★★★★
We have certainly seen the progress with our son's skills after just a few sessions. Very pleased and will continue to use Coach Walter.
LaTia · via CoachUp
★★★★★
Coach Walter is fantastic. He is personable and relates well to my teenage son. His basketball knowledge and experience is impressive, and it comes through when he trains. I highly recommend Coach Walter to anyone looking to develop their basketball skills.
Alison · via CoachUp
★★★★★
Coach was very patient with my son and flexible with his schedule. He pushed my son to be the best he could possibly be and encouraged him. At the end of practice you could see my son's confidence.
Ariel · via CoachUp
★★★★★
My 10-year-old really enjoyed working with Coach Perkins and is looking forward to more sessions. He was patient and encouraging, but pushed our son to work hard through all the drills. We can't wait to see our son's growth as his confidence continues to build alongside his skills.
Amanda · via CoachUp

Meet Coach Walter

Player. Coach. Evaluator. Mentor.

Coach Walter Perkins IV brings experience as a player, coach, evaluator and basketball mentor.

His basketball journey includes:

  • Four years as a player at Saint Leo University
  • High-school Final Four experience at Tampa Prep
  • Semi-professional basketball experience
  • International training and playing experience
  • School coaching at the junior-varsity and varsity levels
Read Coach Walter's story
Coach Walter Perkins IV

Our process

Four steps to a complete player.

  1. 01

    Build the foundation

    Athletes develop fundamentals in ball handling, passing, shooting, finishing, footwork, defense and rebounding. Our process begins with repeatable basics.

  2. 02

    Read the game

    Players learn to recognize spacing, defensive positioning, passing opportunities, driving lanes and game situations, so they get more value from their skill sets.

  3. 03

    Perform under pressure

    Athletes train at game speed through competitive drills, decision-making exercises and conditioning that prepare them to compete under pressure.

  4. 04

    Be a complete player

    Players develop accountability, discipline and communication along with a team-first mindset.

Core philosophy

Loving the game is where the journey starts.

Becoming a complete player requires more than passion. It requires discipline, repetition, correction, awareness and the willingness to keep learning. We help athletes connect their love of basketball with the habits and understanding necessary to improve.

Explore training programs

We teach players to:

  • Handle the ball with confidence
  • Shoot with repeatable mechanics
  • Use proper footwork
  • Read defenders
  • Create and recognize advantages
  • Make better passing decisions
  • Move effectively without the ball
  • Defend with purpose
  • Compete through fatigue
  • Respond positively after mistakes
  • Understand how to help their team

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Who is our training program for?

Our training programs are designed for youth and teenage athletes who want to improve their basketball skills, understanding, confidence and competitive performance.

Does my child need advanced basketball experience?

No. Training is available for developing and competitive athletes. The appropriate program will depend on the player's current skill level, experience and goals.

What skills do you teach?

Training may include ball handling, shooting, passing, footwork, finishing, defense, rebounding, post moves, movement without the ball, pick-and-roll reads, conditioning and basketball IQ.

Will training help my child earn more playing time?

Training can help athletes become more prepared, confident, skilled and aware. Playing-time decisions remain with the athlete's team coach, and no specific role or outcome can be guaranteed.

What makes this program different?

We connect technical training to real basketball decisions. Players learn not only how to perform a skill but also when, where and why to use it.

Which program should a new player begin with?

Group or private training may be the best starting point for an athlete who needs stronger fundamentals. The ideal option depends on the player's experience, confidence and learning style.

Can my child participate in more than one program?

Yes. Programs can complement one another. For example, an athlete may use private training for focused correction and Open Runs for live-game application.

Is Open Runs the same as pickup basketball?

No. Open Runs include live play, but athletes are expected to compete with structure, communicate, make purposeful decisions and apply basketball concepts.

What is the difference between group and semi-private training?

Group Training includes more athletes and emphasizes structured development in a larger competitive environment. Semi-Private Training provides more individual attention within a smaller group.

Is Private Training only for advanced athletes?

No. Private Training can benefit developing athletes who need additional instruction as well as experienced athletes working on advanced or position-specific skills.

How quickly will my child improve?

Progress depends on the athlete's starting point, consistency, effort, ability to accept correction and work outside of sessions. Development looks different for every player.

Ready to build a complete player?

Open runs, group, semi-private and private training in Tampa, Florida.

Get started

For youth and teen basketball players who are serious about developing real skill and real feel for the game

Location

  • Based in Tampa, Florida

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