Join UPBasketball’s Coach Packie Turner’s Skills Clinic!

3 minute read

By Andrea Aruino

On Sunday November 8th, Chief Training Officer, Coach Packie Turner will be back in the gym with athletes in grades 5-12. Each player will have the opportunity to take their game to the next level by training with a coach whose purpose is making each person stronger and better than they were when they first stepped into the gym. The clinic is thoughtfully curated to ensure that each session is designed to meet players where they are at in their basketball journey.

At this clinic, athletes will have the opportunity to learn techniques and training methods that Turner uses with players at the highest level of basketball, applying them to their own development. The session includes four key areas: attacking moves, ball handling, combo moves, and shooting. Through a series of focused skill stations, athletes will have the opportunity to hone in on fundamentals while also working in game-like situations while in these stations.

The clinic’s attacking and combination move stations will challenge players to connect their footwork, ball control, and more so they can create separation rather than simply try to outrun their defender. A defender may take away a driving lane, close out quickly on a shooter, or force a player to change direction. Instead of relying on one go-to move, athletes will practice recognizing these situations and responding with purpose.

That same intention carries into ball handling. Strong handles are not just about keeping the ball under control, they allow players to change pace, maintain balance, and stay composed when defensive pressure increases. Through dedicated ball-handling, players will learn how to navigate different spacing, how to read defense, and how to feel comfortable in intense situations. These skills make all the difference when learned how to activate them in game situations.

The clinic will also help players approach shooting with greater confidence. Athletes will work on shooting off the catch and off the dribble, learning to carry sound mechanics into different situations. The goal is not simply to get more shots up, but to build habits that hold up when the pace of a game increases. Consistency comes from understanding the details behind a shot, including footwork, balance, and preparation before the ball arrives. Players can create valuable opportunities for their team by maintaining proper spacing, recognizing when a teammate needs room to attack, and cutting at the right moment.

One of the most important aspects of basketball is the team component, which leads the clinic to having a team-concept portion. They’ll learn when to stay in place when in an off-ball position or how movement can open up lanes for your teammates. These decisions are an important part of developing basketball awareness. A player may have the ability to beat a defender one-on-one, but understanding the role of each teammate on the floor can make that skill even more effective.

The session will wrap up with a review of the day’s training and drills athletes can continue working on at home. That opportunity to keep practicing matters because improvement happens when players take what they learn in a training environment and apply it consistently over time. Turner’s Skills Clinic offers more than a chance to learn new moves, it is an opportunity to understand why certain skills work, how to use them against live defensive pressure, and how small improvements can make a difference on the court. Join us on November 8 from 3-5pm. Additional information can be found here.