John M.

Since moving to Toms River, NJ, in 1986, my training programs in Basketball alone have produced sixty - seven (67) Basketball scholarship recipients, and sixty - six (66) 1,000 point scorers for their respective high school and/or collegiate programs. In addition, our many programs have produced numerous Division III and NAIA players. More importantly, our programs teach real life values, using the game of Basketball, as the common avenue. We stress fundamentally sound sports habits, while also stressing the values needed to succeed in adult lives afterwards. Our student-athletes excel in both the classroom and on the field or the court. Many of our former players are now coaching in high school or collegiate programs themselves, and will hopefully carry on the traditions and values taught to them.
In 1986, my wife Nanette and I decided to form the Toms River Girls Basketball League. The basis of the league would be that it not only taught the physical skills needed to play the game of Basketball, but it also stressed the intangibles needed in sports, and in real life. It quickly grew in size, and we decided to add a more competitive dimension to our program.
I started the first girls’ Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) program in Ocean County, N.J., and called it the Ocean County Shoreliners Basketball program. As both of these ventures grew, it became necessary to open up our programs to boys, because of the many requests we had. We also started the Toms River Summer All-Star Basketball Camp. This program was open to all students from six (6) through high school age.
Because of the need for dedicated space to accommodate all of our programs, it was decided to open a Basketball training center. So, in 1999, we opened The Main Court Basketball Training Center. We now could offer individual training, group and team training, league play, adult programs, AAU tournaments, and summer camps. In addition, we could offer seminars and coaches clinics to improve the quality of school and recreational programs in the area. It was only because of the sale of the property, that we were forced to close our facility.

I had originally signed a professional Baseball contract with the N.Y. Yankees, many years ago. After a serious injury ended my pitching career, I decided that I would make sure that other players coming up would not be subjected to some of the things I had gone through. I made a promise that my players would gain knowledge, confidence, communication skills, and would be able to approach any situation prepared physically, mentally, and with open eyes. It is with this same dedication and strength that I approach my Basketball training students. As of this writing, I have personally trained 67 Basketball scholarship recipients to the college or university of their choice. I have also personally trained 66 1,000 point + scorers for their respective high school and/or collegiate programs.

After the player's personal stretches, my basic program looks something like this:
1 - Easy movement with the ball
2 - Passing drills (1 ball, 2 balls)
3 - Ball handling (1 ball, 2 balls)
4 - Intensity layup drills
5 - Movement with the ball to attack the basket
6 - Shooting off the pass, or off the dribble
7 - Timed shooting sequences
8 - Timed intensity speed dribbling sequences
*Between each sequence, players will take consecutive form shots, and then free throws.
** Free throws will be charted for success, and location in relation to the rim. This shows
shooting tendencies, fatigue, etc., and are used to increase success.
***All skill drills are timed to show progress, and player's lesson preparation.