How to start a personal basketball training business

How To Start Your Basketball Training Business From Scratch

basketball clients marketing sales Feb 10, 2021

If you're reading this blog I'm assuming you're a basketball trainer and you want to learn how to start and grow your own basketball training business from scratch? 

If that's you, I want you to keep reading..

I'm going to dive into the nitty-gritty details so it might be a good idea if you get a pen and a piece of paper to make notes.

If you have any questions for me about starting up a basketball training business you can schedule a 15-min consultation call with me here. 

If you're brand new and you haven't started training any players yet then this blog is for you and again it's very important that you do this step by step.

Let's say right now that you are a high school basketball coach and you want to branch off and do your own thing.

If that's you, I want you to focus on getting customers and this is where a lot of basketball coaches get this backwards.

Most basketball coaches will try to create this big brand and spend hours and hours on building a crazy website.

These types of coaches will spend thousands and thousands of dollars before they ever get any clients!

The way I work with coaches on how to build a real profitable successful basketball training business is to get customers first and that's what you have to focus on and when you focus on that then you will then have immediate revenue that can later pay for a website among other marketing tools. 

STEP#1 FOCUS ON GETTING YOUR FIRST CUSTOMER

The first thing that you have to focus on is getting your first customer.

I've seen a lot of basketball coaches who struggle with this at the start and quit straight away.

Most coaches will quit before they ever get any traction with their business.

When you work at getting your first paid customer it might take you a couple of weeks or a month or maybe even two months, but the way I want you to get your first customer is by marketing yourself to parents. 

If you go back to previous blogs I've written you will read me say that when I first started my sports training business I was really introverted.

I hated talking to parents over the phone and I didn't know how to market myself.

Once I broke out of that and learned how to write emails, create videos and truly market myself, that's when I started getting way more clients and it's gonna be the same for you and whether you like marketing or not it's all about focusing on sales.

Once you get your first customer you'll have the self belief that you can get as many customers as you want, but it's all about getting the first one and only focusing on that.

STEP#2 CREATING A CUSTOMER OFFER

So, I've talked about getting the first customer by marketing yourself to people.

Now, we have to figure out your actual offer to your customers.

The offer means what is included in your program.

Are you just showing up to the basketball courts and putting on a one-hour session and then that's it? 

If you are, welcome to the 99% club!

Most basketball coaches in the United States are operating this way, and that's all right, but you need to be the opposite of what everyone else is doing, which means you need to add way more value to your clients.

Simply showing up to the session and delivering a great session is not good enough to parents anymore.

When you operate your business this way your parents are not going to stay in your program for long, even if you're a good trainer.

I want you to become a mentor to your athletes!

The way you do that is by offering value outside of the session to show parents that you are keeping their kids accountable.

You need to be able to show parents that even when they're not training with you they are still respecting you by staying accountable to you.  

A few things I want you to think about:

• What's the kids level of respect for you?
• Are they able to talk to you on a daily basis?
• Are they doing homework away from the court that you set them?
• What is happening off the court when they aren't with you?

STEP#3 BUILDING A SYSTEM IN YOUR BUSINESS 

Once you figure out the offer you will then need to create a system that will allow you to get clients month after month who stay in your program for years.

I want you to avoid selling blocks of sessions because this type of business model doesn't work anymore and if you're reading this blog and you've experienced that then you already know what I'm talking about.

You have to be able to run the business in a way where parents are paying you monthly or they're paying you annually to be a part of your program and they're fully committed to you and you're not working with uncommitted clients.

RUNNING YOUR SPORTS BIZ LIKE A GYM

I'm gonna leave you on this note - I want you to run your business the exact same way like a gym franchise.

I want you to charge your clients every 30 days and you're not going to be able to pause the payment or stop the payment unless there's a 60 day or 30 day cancellation notice.

This is how I want you to run your business and you do that by having contract agreements in place with each client when they enroll.

If you don't have contracts with your clients yet, I would highly recommend you create one. 

I can help you with this by scheduling a 15-minute phone call with me.

Speak soon, 

- Ben 

How to Start a Basketball Training Business: 11 Best Steps!

1. Put Together a Plan For Your Basketball Training Business.

There are many important factors to consider when launching a new basketball training business. 

New basketball training business owners need to put together a comprehensive plan that takes into account all of the different elements of their business. This includes everything from the initial start-up costs, funding to the day-to-day operations and marketing strategy.

Furthermore, new business owners need to be realistic about their goals and expectations. It is also important to have a solid understanding of the competition. With a well-thought-out plan, new business owners can increase their chances of success.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Basketball Training Business?

All new business costs will vary greatly depending on the needs of the business owner, so be sure to do thorough research before making any final purchase decisions. Below we researched some of the basic costs when it comes to starting a basketball training business and found that costs can range anywhere from $1,993.02 to $33,241.00, depending on geographic location, quality and quantity of marketing investment, and other various factors.

Expense	Range 1	Range 2
Basketballs	$30. 00	$300.00
Whistles	$5.00	$30.00
Cones	$5.00	$100.00
Gym Rental	$35.00	$150.00
Team Pinnies	$25.00	$200.00
Office space	$0.00	$500.00
Communications	$200.00	$500.00
Utilities	$0.00	$1,200.00
Licenses & Permits	$50.00	$3,000.00
Business Insurance	$46.00	$86.00
Accountant Fees	$500.00	$5,000.00
Legal Fees	$500.00	$5,000.00
Software Fees	$25.00	$500.00
Advertising and marketing	$200.00	$5,000.00
Printed marketing materials	$172.02	$1,675.00
Making a website	$200.00	$10,000.00
TOTAL	$1,993. 02	$33,241.00

How Much Can I Charge for My Basketball Training Business?

The amount you charge for your services will depend on several factors, including but not limited to: the location of your business, the number of hours per day/week and what type of package clients purchase from you (e.g., one session per week vs two sessions per month). Most basketball coaches charge anywhere between $30-$100/hr depending on their experience level and qualifications as well as market demand for their services.

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How to Come up With a Name for Your Basketball Training Business:

There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing a name for your basketball training business. First, you want to make sure the name is memorable and easy to spell. You also want to avoid anything that could be perceived as offensive or suggestive. Additionally, it's important to choose a name that reflects the type of basketball training business you're running.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect basketball training business name:

   
1. Keep it simple and easy to spell.
   
2. Avoid anything offensive or suggestive.
   
3. Choose a name that reflects the type of business you're running.
   
4. Be creative! Brainstorm with friends, family, and colleagues.
   
5. Do your research. Make sure the domain name is available and that the business name isn't already trademarked.

You should also check out the following resources when choosing the perfect name for your baby clothing business:

   
• Newfoundr's Business Name Listings
   
• Shopify's Business Name Generator
   
• Looka's Business Name Generator

With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to choosing a great business name for your basketball training business!

Who Will Be Your Basketball Training Business' Customers?

Who is your customer?

Who will be buying (or attempting to buy) the products and services you're going to sell? Before you can begin developing a sales model, you need to figure out who it is that you'll be selling to. This may seem obvious since your business focuses on basketball training. But if your goal is to develop a large customer base, then your market will extend beyond just young people who want to learn the game.

‍Other potential customers for a basketball training business include:

• People who want to improve their skills at their current level of play.
• People who want fitness coaching in addition to basketball training.
• People who are serious about playing professionally and need advanced help with technique.
• People who only want help with certain aspects of the game (for instance, shooting).
• People who currently play socially or competitively but have specific areas they wish they were better at (speed, jumping ability).

2. Form the Legal Business Entity.

Are you looking for ways to start your own basketball training business? You'll want to consider officially registering your business with local and federal governments. There are four different types of entities you can choose from, each with their own pros and cons. 

Sole proprietorship: 

   
• The simplest type of business to set up 
   
• Offers no personal liability protection 

Corporate organization: 

   
• Shareholders elect board members to run things 
   
• Requires an annual meeting with stockholders' meetings every three months 

Limited Liability Company: 

   
• Provides extra protection for investors by limiting their liability exposure 
   
• Allows flexibility in operating their businesses 

Partnership: 

   
• Business owner plus partners
   
• Can offer personal liability protection 

When deciding what type of business entity is right for your basketball training company, it's important to consider what kind of liability exposure you want and what your goals are for the business. If you're just starting out and selling to family and friends, a sole proprietorship may be enough. But if you're looking for more protection or to grow the business, a corporate organization or LLC may be a better choice. 

No matter what type of business entity you choose for your basketball training business, be sure to register it with the state in which you'll be doing business. This will give you the legal protections you need to operate your business and protect your personal assets. To register your business, you'll need to file the appropriate paperwork with your state's Secretary of State office. You can find more information on how to do this on their website. 

Once you've registered your basketball training business, you'll need to get a business license from your local city or county. This will allow you to legally operate your business in your area. To get a business license, you'll need to fill out an application and submit it to your local licensing authority. They will then review your application and decide whether or not to issue you a license. 

Now that you know how to register your basketball training business, it's time to get started! Follow the steps above to get started on the right foot and be sure to consult with an attorney if you have any questions. Good luck!

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3. Source Financing Options for Your Basketball Training Business.

There are several different ways to go about sourcing financing options for your basketball training business, but it’s extremely important to think through each and every method because each decision may have financial implications on you and your business in the long term.

Some new founders may find themselves in a situation where your basketball training startup costs are actually only a few hundred dollars to get started, but we thought it was important to share the below methods in case you’re thinking of ideas down the road.

Here are 5 financing options for your basketball training business:

• Raising money from friends and family
• Bootstrapping by tapping into your own savings account
• Sourcing investment from outside investors
• Obtaining a bank loan
• Getting money from a hard money lender

Now, there are of course many other alternatives to financing your business, but these 5 options are just a few that come to mind.

It’s also important to stress the importance of decisions and only make the decision you believe is the best fit for your current situation. There is no right answer when deciding how much money should go into starting up your own company, but there may be some guidance from below regarding what type of financing would work best for someone like yourself - so take note before making any final decisions about which path will suit both yourself and your basketball training business best! We definitely recommend advising your accountant before making any final decisions.

4. Open a Business Bank Account.

Opening a business bank account for your basketball training company can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure what you're doing. But it doesn't have to be! There are different types of accounts that you can open for your basketball training business, depending on what you need and how much money you're looking to deposit.

We'll go over some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of account, so you know what to expect from each one.

Checking Account: The most common type of business bank account is a checking account. Checking accounts are easy to open and offers a variety of features and benefits that can be helpful for businesses. One of the biggest advantages of a checking account is that it allows you to easily deposit and withdraw money as you need it. You can also write checks from your checking account, which can be helpful for paying bills or suppliers.

Savings Account: Another popular type of business bank account is a savings account. Savings accounts earn interest on the money that you deposit, so they can be a great way to grow your basketball training business's cash reserve. However, savings accounts typically have lower interest rates than checking accounts and may have withdrawal limits.

Business Card Card: If you're looking for a more robust bank account for your business, you may want to consider opening a business credit card. Business credit cards can be very helpful for businesses that need to make large purchases or need to build up their credit history. However, business credit cards typically have high-interest rates and may have annual fees.

No matter what type of business bank account you choose, be sure to shop around and compare features and fees before making a decision. Once you've found the right account for your business, you'll be on your way to the next step in building your basketball training business! As always, be sure you advise your certified professional accountant before making any final financial decisions.

5. Set up Your Accounting and Taxes System.

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As a new basketball training business owner, you have a lot on your plate. There are so many things to think about and so much to do in order to get your business off the ground.

But one of the most important things you need to do is set up a proper accounting system. This will help you track your expenses, revenue, receipts, taxes owed, and much more.

There are a couple of different ways that you can set up your basketball training accounting system.

• You can use an online accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero
• Hire an accountant to do it for you.

If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you choose a system that is easy to use and understand.

Once you have your accounting system set up, start tracking your income and expenses. This will help you see where your money is going and where you need to cut back. It will also help you budget for the future.

Make sure you keep up with your accounting regularly. This means setting aside time each month to reconcile your accounts and update your records. This may seem like a lot of work, but it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

If you have any questions about setting up your accounting system, talk to your accountant or financial advisor. They can help you choose the right system for your business and make sure you are using it correctly.

6. Obtain the Necessary Basketball Training Business Permits and Licenses.

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Starting a new basketball training business can be a daunting task, but there are some important things to keep in mind that can make the process a bit smoother. One of the most important things to do when starting a new business is to obtain the proper licenses and permits from the appropriate government agencies.

There are a number of different business licenses and permits that may be required, depending on the type of basketball training business you are starting and where it will be located. The best way to find out which licenses and permits you need is to contact your local business licensing office or chamber of commerce. They will be able to provide you with information on which licenses and permits are required in your area.

Once you have obtained the necessary basketball training licenses and permits, you will be able to officially open your business and start operating. Congratulations! You are now on your way to becoming a successful business owner.

7. Purchase Equipment, Software, Supplies & Tools Needed.

There's a lot to think about when starting a basketball training business. One of the most important elements is equipment, tools, and supplies. 

Here's a few tips to help you:

• Determine what equipment, tools, and supplies you need. This will depend on the type of business you're starting and the products or services you'll be offering. Make a list of everything you need, including both big-ticket items (like office furniture) and smaller items (like paper clips).
• Research different suppliers. Once you know what you need, it's time to start shopping around. Compare prices and quality between different suppliers to find the best deal.
• Consider equipment rental or leasing. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider renting or leasing equipment instead of purchasing it outright. This can be a good option for expensive items that you won't need to use on a regular basis.
• Get everything in writing. Once you've decided on a supplier, make sure to get all the details in writing before making a purchase. This will help avoid any misunderstandings later on.
• Stay organized and keep track of your inventory. It's important to stay organized when running a business. Keep track of your equipment, tools, and supplies so you know what you have and what needs to be replenished.

By following this process will help ensure that you have the equipment, tools, and supplies you need to run your business smoothly.

List of Software, Tools and Supplies You Need to Start a Basketball Training Business:

• A basketball, a hoop, and a court
• A ball pump
• A whistle
• A first-aid kit
• A water bottle and a food source (like trail mix) for your athletes, if you'll be out on the court for long periods of time.
• A clipboard to hold your paperwork. The clipboard will also aid in keeping things organized for when you have to enter data into your computer after practice. This is important because it lets you know what each athlete needs to work on in the future and lets you know their strengths and weaknesses.
• Coaching binder: You can buy one from Amazon or make one yourself by printing everything onto sheets of paper and putting them together using 3 hole punches. This holds all of your notes about different offenses, defenses, plays, drills and gives you something to pull out when players are asking questions or requesting help with something specific
• Notebook: Since some stuff will come up that doesn’t fit into any specific category above, it's always good to have a notebook so there’s a place where you can write down anything else that comes up during practice that day
• Pen: No biggie here—just make sure it writes well!

8. Create a Brand Identity for Your Basketball Training Company.

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Creating a brand identity for your basketball training company can be very difficult. There are so many factors to consider, from the logo design to the colors you use. But if you take the time to plan and focus on what you want your customers to feel, you can create a brand identity that will set your business apart from the rest.

Here's how to get started:

1. Define your basketball training company's purpose and values.

What do you want to achieve with your business? What kind of feeling do you want your customers to have when they think of your basketball training brand? These are important questions to answer before you start creating any visuals for your brand.

2. Choose a color scheme that reflects your company's personality.

Colors can communicate a lot about a brand, so it's important to choose wisely. If you're not sure where to start, try looking at other brands in your industry and see what colors they use.

3. Develop a unique logo that represents your basketball training brand.

This is often the first thing people will think of when they hear your company name, so it's important to make it memorable. Work with a professional designer to create a logo that's both visually appealing and reflective of your brand values.

4. Create consistent branding across all channels.

Once you have your logo and color scheme, make sure you use them consistently across all of your marketing materials, from your website to your business cards. This will help reinforce your brand identity and make it easier for customers to recognize your company.

Creating a strong brand identity is essential for any basketball training business, but it doesn't have to be complicated. By focusing on your company's purpose and values, you can develop a brand that will resonate with your target audience. With a little planning and some creativity, you can create a brand identity that will make your basketball training company stand out from the rest.

9. Build a Beautiful Website for Your Business.

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In today's world, and no matter what type of business you're in, it's always best to have a beautifully designed website to share with your customers. For your basketball training business, you may not need one right away, but it's best to plan for this!

There are a few key steps to building a beautiful website for your new basketball training business:

1. Hiring a professional website designer or working with a freelancer - make sure to look at their portfolio and get recommendations from others in the industry.
2. Planning out your website's structure and hierarchy - this includes deciding what pages and baby clothing content will be included on the website, and how it will all be organized.
3. Creating stunning visuals and graphics - images, videos, and other visual elements should be high-quality and reflect your brand identity.
4. Writing compelling website copy - the text on your website should be well-written, informative, and persuasive.
5. Testing the website before launch - it's important to test all the website's features and functionality to ensure everything works correctly.

Following these steps will help you create a website that is both visually appealing and effective in promoting your basketball training business. If you have any questions or need help getting started, feel free to contact us and we would be happy to assist you.

10. Create a Company Email Address & Phone Number.

With a company phone number and email address, you'll be able to give your business a more professional appearance and stay in touch with customers more easily.

Here's how to set them up:

1. Purchase a business phone number. You can do this through a telecom provider like Twilio or Grasshopper.
2. Register the phone number by creating an account with the telecom provider.
3. Set up a professional email address using a service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
4. Configure your email account to forward messages to your business phone number.

Note: When you're first starting out your basketball training business, you can definitely use your personal phone number and email address, but as it grows, be sure to look into other communication options!

Once you're all set up, you'll now be able to more easily communicate with customers more professionally!

11. Make a Go-To Market Launch Strategy.

You’ve done all of the hard work up until this point and prepared your basketball training business for launch – Now, it’s time to get your basketball training business name out there and start generating customers!

You’ll likely already have worked on a bit of your marketing plan during the build out of your business plan, but now you’ll take a magnifying glass to your strategy and plan out how you’ll obtain your first few customers.

To get things started, below are a few marketing strategies you can steal from:

• Reach out to local newspapers about your launch
• Identify social media influencers your customers follow
• Host a business launch event at your office, storefront
• Run a business launch sale to attract first time customers
• Run a few ads online to attract customers
• Get your friends and family to share your products on social media
• Partner up with other local businesses in the area to share your business

Again, remember, marketing is never a “said it and forget” method. You must always be iterating on your strategy and doubling down on what worked and what your customers love most. Also, always be sure you’re never overspending in this area so that it doesn’t cut into your margins.

Basketball coach Rivhat Babekenov: "It is important to know that a coach is a good psychologist"

Rivhat is 32 years old, he works as a basketball coach at the International University of Information amateur championships for the team of Almaty "Zhigalma".

We talked with him about how the basketball community in Almaty was changing, about his talent for mentoring and love for basketball.

— How did your path as a basketball player begin?

At the age of 15-16 I started playing basketball. We had a football section at school, but after the departure of our coach, the moment came when we realized that we had to do something other than football.

We began to come to one school playground in the Aksai-4 district in Almaty (there was already a large basketball community there), we got to know each other and started playing. I started very late, but got carried away and fell in love with this sport.

— Who inspired you to choose this particular sport?

Actually, I never had any idols. When I finished playing football, I discovered basketball. And, probably, I myself am such a person who always strives to be the best.

I wanted to grow, compete and win. Thank you to my football coach for instilling this healthy competitive spirit in me. I respect many players, but I have never had any idols. And I recommend to young people that they look, equal to the best and take an example from them.

— Why and how did you become a coach?

This is generally a funny story. I studied at the IT University, I was invited there quite late as a player and offered a 100% discount on tuition. I didn’t have a higher education then and the opportunity to get it, so I agreed. My friends were offered a master's degree, and I was offered a bachelor's degree. Our coach was Andrei Viktorovich Zuev. I respect him a lot, but he didn’t understand basketball the way the coach needed, so he completely trusted us.

In the process, I was able to become a leader for the team, coordinate the guys and give them advice - I was able to be a mentor. Then I graduated from the university and they told me that I had a predisposition to mentoring. And the coach is the person who inspired me for some things in my life, including coaching - he told me:

"Rifa, you're not going anywhere, you're good at being a coach, you have to do it, you have potential."

Andrey Viktorovich Zuev himself is a sports person, and he recommended me to enter the Faculty of Physical Education so that I could get a diploma. I think he really got it right. The youth of Almaty probably knows me more as a coach than as a player.

— That is, it can be said that at that moment, at the university, you discovered the talent of a mentor in yourself?

Actually, I don't believe it at all. The year before, I didn't see myself as a coach at all. Yes, I was ready to train MUIT, I always believed in them, but in order to seriously be a coach and have a talent for this, no, this was not the case. Although many people say that I should try myself in professional sports, be a coach there.

Yes, I have experience in a professional career. I was the second coach of the Almaty Legion club in 2014. Then I broke my leg and began to recover from the fracture. I have a very good friend Zhomart Asenkanov, he called me and offered me a job as a specialist in Legion. I passed the interview and was appointed to the position of second coach. In the process, it turned out that I had misunderstandings in working with the head coach, after which I became a manager, organized trips, and controlled trips to Russia. At the games, I was an assistant, helped and advised where needed.

However, I can't call myself a talent. I have my own vision and experience, from which you need to learn something for yourself and your development.

- You coach the IT Legion team, which plays in the student basketball league in Kazakhstan. Tell us about this experience.

IT Legion formed in 2015. Then the rector was offered to create a team, invite good players for free training, and he agreed. The team immediately began to win and they began to support us. Since then, a lot of guys have been coming to us.

We are fighting for first place in the student league. I think that our project is quite successful. There are no professional players in the team, but wherever we come to play, we will be perceived everywhere as contenders for the championship.

Speaking of rivalry among student teams, the last time, two years ago, I saw only four teams that claimed to win. These were the teams of MUIT, KazGU, Atyrau and Turan. I hope there will be more competition.

Of course, I can recruit professionals, it's not difficult, but they don't participate in team building, in chemistry.

And the guys who train will not be able to compete with them and develop properly. It is right to support amateur students in sports.

— Do you see yourself as a coach of the national team of Kazakhstan?

No. I'm still too young. Ambition is good. Every person should strive for something, but sometimes you need to face the truth and understand whether you are ready for it or not. I do not see myself in this position in the next 15 years.

I have enough experience to coach young people, but being a professional coach requires even more experience than I have. You need to work, for example, as an assistant in order to become the main one at the national level. Do you know the seven hats method? To understand which hat suits you, you must try on all seven, and only then choose the right one.

— What three qualities make you stand out as a coach?

I am demanding, disciplined and responsible. It is important for me to be in a team and feel responsible not only to myself, but also to the guys.

— Do you have your own special technique that always leads to results?

I'm currently coaching the Bears at Forum Hoops and my technique doesn't always work for them. No, in fact, I think that if anyone has a technique, then for a certain time. It cannot be used all the time.

For example, when I showed my vision of the game to the guys from Forum Hoops and told them what to do and how to do it, they began to show good results, and their opponents were not ready for this. Two or three months pass, young people get used to it, and this technique no longer works: you need to come up with something new and constantly improve. It depends not only on the coach, but also on the players. A lot of guys don't watch NBA or EuroLeague games. How do they want to be the best without watching the best? Visual memory is also part of the technique. If you have a set of skills, you can feed them by watching matches with really strong players.

— Do you find an individual approach to everyone?

Yes, this is very important. You need to find your own approach to each person for the general position of the team and the results: someone needs pressure, someone likes a whip, and someone likes a carrot. At MUIT, I talk a lot with my guys before and after training. It is important to know that the coach is a good psychologist. He must understand people, ask leading questions and, after receiving the necessary information, understand what worries him and where to suggest.

— What is the most difficult part of your job?

Probably patience. You need a lot of patience and you should not forget why you are doing this.

— Tell us more about the basketball community in Almaty.

I will talk about the 3x3 community, as it is the largest in Almaty, if we take into account the whole of Kazakhstan. In fact, now it has expanded so much that it is even hard to believe. If earlier we played in a narrower circle, now there are a lot of sections, opportunities, platforms, both paid and free.

People love basketball and that's cool.

It is a pity, of course, that we do not have a professional team ready to play at a high level in Europe or in the National League. I myself like to watch basketball and I think many people would be interested too.

— The popularity of this enchanting sport in Kazakhstan is gaining momentum. And how developed is the culture of basketball in Almaty. There are playgrounds and sections around, a huge number of interested children, and most importantly, good results. How do you assess national basketball and its prospects for the future?

I want to say that 3x3 basketball is gaining momentum in Kazakhstan: it is available, you only need three people from one team, conditionally, and three people from the other. This lightness makes it popular and widespread in Almaty and Kazakhstan.

As for 5x5 basketball, things are not so good at the national level. Only five teams participate there, and no one has been able to beat the capital for several years now. To be honest, professional sports are not yet at such a good level - this is my subjective opinion. If we talk about Almaty, then 3x3 basketball is more popular here than 5x5.

— So you think that 3v3 basketball has more prospects for the future than 5v5?

In 3x3, the Mongolian women's team qualified for the Tokyo 2022 Olympic Games. Imagine Mongolia! All because they held an unrealistic number of tournaments within the country and gained a rating.

Our basketball is still at a level where the chances of Kazakhstanis to get to the world championship are small. There are very strong teams in Asia, they need to be defeated. Why can't you go the same way as Mongolia, changing the vector a little?

We can try to win a ticket to the Olympic Games, because the Olympic Games are the highest level for an athlete. In a 3x3 rating system, where people score points, and due to this, basketball is popularized in the country. This is actually a very long topic of discussion.

— Recently, from May 26 to 30, in Austria, in the city of Graz, the first ever qualifying tournament for the 2021 Olympics was held, in which you took part. I know that you had training camps and only four could enter the extended squad of six people. What were your expectations from the tournament?

It's not my first time playing in major tournaments, but this is a very cool opportunity. It should be noted, of course, that Kazakhstan got there only because New Zealand was unable to travel due to restrictive measures. Therefore, we had little time to prepare, unfortunately.

In theory, we had a chance to get to the Olympic Games. Lithuanians, Belgians, Americans and Koreans played in our group. Due to lack of time for training, we probably did not manage to compete for a ticket to the Olympic Games to the end. On top of that, the European teams can play each other due to the small distance between them, and we are further away and we don't have the same opportunity to play against strong teams on a regular basis.

Let's hope that our country will still have a chance to get to the Olympics. For the first time, 3x3 has turned from street basketball into an official sport at the Olympics - it's great!

- I think this is an incredible event. You, as a coach, by participating in such high-level championships, set a wonderful example for the younger generation, including your students. Did you feel responsible?

I was very upset when I didn't make it to the final line-up at the tournament in Austria. But if someone among the young guys looks at me and thinks that this is possible, I am very happy about it.

The youth must understand that everything is in our hands. If you really want this, then you must devote time, and the result will not be long in coming. And you don't have to go to a fortune teller to guess the car, ask yourself what did you do to get this car?

It's the same in basketball: people may say that you are promising, but this does not mean that you do not need to work on yourself. This means you have to try harder. I am no longer young and I know that this is true.

- Tell us about the most memorable event in your career as a coach and basketball player.

I think that the coaching career is still ahead. And so - a silver medal at the NBSL (Student League). It was a very tough match against Atyrau, they were stronger, but it was a good experience.

As a player, this is probably participation in the Asia Quest Final in the capital. Asia is divided into regions and we are in the central one. And once a year there are quests in which we have to win a tournament in our region. After that, you can get a ticket to the final, where all Asian countries participate. And there, by the way, you represent not a country, but a city, that is, we represented Almaty Zhigalma. Then this tournament was supposed to be held in Malaysia, but it was moved to Astana. Played the tournament, took fourth place. 3x3 has its own Champions League, just like in football. This is a very complex system, but there are many opportunities to get on the world tour, and we have them.

— What do you think are the best basketball clubs in Almaty?

Vasily Savchenko, a good specialist in children, who works in the “Give the ball!” section. Vsevolod Fadeikin is also an excellent coach. I saw how they work, so I would give them my child. Basketball school "Juva" is also very cool. They hold tournaments for children, lure them in - it's great. My Forum Hoops section is for the older ones. There are children aged 12-16 who are physically stronger and ready for new complex basketball tactics.

What do you think is the ideal age to start playing basketball?

As a coach, I try not to work with children, as this is a big responsibility. After all, the main task of a coach is to instill in a child a love for sports. I think it's never too late, but preferably as soon as possible.

— What advice can you give parents of young basketball players?

Again, practice, patience and practice. Of course, don't forget to study. I always tell my children that, first of all, they should get an education.

If you want to become basketball players, you must understand that the path will start from the bottom, you will have to work hard to gradually rise up. Patience young guys and endurance. Training is the most important thing.

And I wish patience to young, novice coaches. Don't be afraid to ask, be interested and learn. Love your job and don't forget why you chose it. Believe in your cause: everything will be, but not immediately.

See also:

Kazakh tennis players won the ITF tournament in Tashkent

Kazakh boxer knocked out the Mexican and won the fight ahead of schedule

A ski and biathlon complex will be built in the Zhetysu region

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“Esports needs to grow up a bit.” UNICS player returned to basketball after Dota 2

Khryapa broke his nose the day before leaving for the Euroleague final.

UNICS newcomer Ivan Lazarev is the only basketball player in Russia who has proven himself in both regular and e-sports. Having become the champion of the Euroleague and the VTB United League as part of CSKA and having played for such clubs as Zenit, Triumph and Parma, he decided to devote himself to another hobby - Dota 2. First, Lazarev, or rather Lazar ', tried himself as commentator, then worked as a sports director at the leading Russian esports club Virtus.Pro.

For the last six months, Lazarev's career has again moved in the direction of basketball. He kept fit in the amateur leagues, returned to professional sports by signing a contract with the MBA Super League club, and is now preparing to compete with UNICS in the playoffs. Tomorrow Kazan will play in the first match of the 1/4 finals of the VTB United League with Avtodor Saratov.

“CS:GO PLAYERS MAKE DECISIONS FASTER THAN FORMULA-1 PILOTS”

– Ivan, how did you get into eSports?

- People often do not separate the two concepts - "gaming" and "e-sports". If we are talking about the first, then this, of course, is from childhood. I had a Dendy game console, then a computer came along. I remember playing Warcraft III, Starcraft with a 56 kilobit modem. Therefore, I found all the delights of those years. If we talk about eSports, then this is gaming that has grown into a professional format with huge fan bases and its own industry. Previously, I followed my favorite discipline Dota 2, rooted for the CIS teams, watched all the major tournaments.

– What attracted you to Dota 2 so much?

- This is more a matter of taste. Everything here is the same as in ordinary sports: someone likes to watch basketball, and someone likes football. At the same time, before Dota 2, I got acquainted with Counter-Strike (CS), because this is the base game in terms of eSports. The guys and I went to computer clubs, hung out not in CS:GO, which is now known, but in CS 1.6. But Dota 2 for me is more multifaceted and interesting with a lot of unknown factors. Maybe at first Dota 2 may not seem so dynamic, but then they are attracted by the speed of decision-making and their variability. Also, this game for me is like a chess game: you have everything at zeros, some pieces are standing here, others are in front of you.

– There is a trend in Russian sports that football players prefer CS, volleyball players prefer Dota 2. What do basketball players play most often?

- I think that of those basketball players who are fond of computer games, the majority play CS:GO. There is a low entry threshold here: you have one side, the opponent has the other, the main task is to put the “bomb”. But in order to understand at least a little what is happening on the screen in Dota 2, you need to spend at least 1000 hours. At the same time, some acquaintances from the basketball sphere also play Dota 2.

- When you had a one and a half year break without professional basketball, you went to commentate on Dota 2. Was it difficult to change into a new field?

- In general, commenting on Dota 2 is harder than other disciplines, including sports. You have a huge map, a lot of small details, which are also hard to foresee. But when you comment on basketball, you look at one picture: the court, the movements of basketball players, the focus on two or three players. Moreover, if you have experience in basketball, then you can predict what will happen on the court now.

– Did you come to RuHub, the leading esports coverage company, to comment Dota 2 without any experience?

– I had no experience of commenting specifically on Dota 2. Although I previously commented on basketball. RuHub gave me a test task: you take two or three favorite cards, turn on the live broadcast and comment on what is happening on the card. So I ended up in a company whose broadcasts I watched for many years.

- What caused the huge popularity of Dota 2?

– Everything here is built on principles: why do people like this, but not like something else? From the very beginning, two of the most popular disciplines have developed in the CIS: Dota 2 and CS:GO. It's already a classic. In addition, both games have best stood the test of time. Although royal and card games appear against their background, they have too much luck, so they are hard to consider as traditional.

– There is now an opinion that Dota 2 has reached the ceiling, being harassed by the similar style of League of Legends. Is Dota 2 stagnating?

- Yes, there are rumors about the potential stagnation of Dota 2. This is partly due to the lack of attention of developers to the game itself. In the same League of Legends, new additions are constantly being released that make the game more balanced. In Dota 2, players have been waiting for new changes for half a year, but the developers' innovations had no effect on esports Dota 2. Therefore, everyone got bored.

– Should we expect the release of Dota 3 against this background?

- To be honest, I don't even know what could be included in the third part. The same chess: the game is over a thousand years old, and the rules have never changed. With the same transition from the first Dota to the second part, nothing has changed, except for the engine and more control of the developers. She was simply ennobled and combed.

- In the fall, you became the sports director of Virtus.pro, one of the most famous esports community. How did it happen that an organization with a name takes a person with no experience in this position?

- Everything happened by chance. I contacted Virtus.pro CEO Sergey Glamazda on social networks. It was interesting for me to see how the contract is built for e-sportsmen. Athletes' contracts limit you in the regulations, and if they are violated, sanctions may be applied to you. Everything is free in esports. We met with Sergei several times, then we had the idea to try me in this position.

I have previously written team building programs for young basketball players. In our time, this is especially true: communication is increasingly moving online and young players have communication problems. Therefore, they need to be supported and taught correctly how to work in a team. I suggested moving it to esports. After that, I became the sports director of the team. The fact that the position of sports director implies experience in sports, and not in e-sports, also played here. My main task is to be a link between esportsmen and management. Often we touch upon issues of morality and pressure. I think that helped the guys.

– Six months ago, the international took place - the biggest Dota 2 tournament of the year. Did you and your team go to Romania for this championship?

- Yes, we took fifth place.

- How do you like the organization of the tournament?

- The problem was that the international was supposed to take place in Sweden, but two months before the start it was urgently moved to Romania. Therefore, the organization was not at the highest level. Many who were at events of this magnitude said that it was poorly organized. But this is due to the coronavirus.

– Can e-sports be comparable to sports in terms of organization?

– In 2019, I was at the Epicenter tournament in Moscow and everything was organized at a high level. Therefore, esports is closely approaching sports, but on the condition that there are no emergency situations. I also think that esports needs to grow up a bit and acquire professionalism, which has long been present in ordinary sports. Therefore, there is an opinion that eSports is a soap bubble that has nothing under it, but it has millions of views and interest.

- What was the biggest achievement the team had under you?

- Fifth place international. This is a good achievement, because the guys with the same squad went to two majors - slightly smaller tournaments, and took twelfth and eighth places. They had problems with pressure, but after that they took a new coach and me. So together we took a step forward.

– And what skills does esports develop in life?

- Firstly, logical thinking, and secondly, the speed of decision-making. For example, CS:GO players make decisions faster than Formula 1 drivers.

“I WILL ALWAYS gnaw, fall and try”

– Why, having achieved high results in eSports, did you decide to return to basketball?

– There are different circumstances in life that can be called crises. During these one and a half years without professional basketball, I had a crisis in terms of understanding who I am, what I want to do, why it happened. Back in that year, there was a coronavirus, my mother had health problems, and I helped her. It dragged on until autumn. I had offers from VTB United League clubs, but in the fall all the teams left to play the season, and I couldn't go anywhere. At that moment, I thought: “What will I do in five years, when I finish my basketball career? What else can I do?" There was silence instead of an answer. Then I wanted to know what I could learn and in what time. There were options with the media: I was a co-host of Nikita Zagday in the TV magazine View from Above, I commented on the matches of the VTB United League. Then I was convinced that in a year and a half without basketball I did not die. At that moment, I realized that I was 31 years old. Then I will definitely find a job, and no one will return the year to me. After that, I went to the management of Virtus. pro and said that I still want to play basketball.

– Your first club after returning was MBA. Is it hard to come back after a break?

- It was a little hard, but I understood that this was just a process that would take some time. And I was not completely without basketball: after all, I played in amateur leagues in Moscow. But now I feel that I am slowly getting involved and returning to the previous level.

– Didn't you have the feeling in the amateur leagues of Moscow that you were in them, like Shaquille?

– It felt like that in the ABL, not in the UBA. Still, I did not try to pull the blanket over myself, because amateur sports are created for pleasure. Every player on your team should enjoy the game. Therefore, I tried to interact with the team.

– You have played in Runa and MBA, the clubs that are vying to join the VTB United League this year. Would you like to expand the league ?

- I think all professional basketball players would definitely like to expand, because we don't have enough Russian teams for such a big country. At the same time, we have worthy contenders in our country. Runa, Samara and MBA have their own approaches, their own traditions. Runa will be able to compete with the VTB United League clubs even with targeted reinforcements.

– Is the current situation with the departure of foreigners and the possible promotion of teams a chance for Russian players and all of Russian basketball?

- Even if we do not take the departure of foreigners, but only look at the expansion of the league, it will be 24 places for Russian players. With the departure of legionnaires, there will be even more places, but it will depend on how our basketball players take advantage of the chance.

– Why did you decide to move to UNICS 9 after MBA did not qualify for the playoffs?0013?