https://teachhoops.com/ In this episode of Coaching Youth Hoops, Steve Collins and Bill Flitter tackle a question every parent—and coach—hears: “How do I know my child is really improving?” They dig into why flawless technique in a trainer’s gym often fizzles under game-time pressure, and how a player’s mental readiness can lag behind physical skill development. Drawing on examples from a fourth-grade phenom who dazzles in practice but hesitates in the paint, they unpack the importance of small-sided, high-pressure scrimmages and intentional constraint drills. By simulating game conditions—heart-rate spikes, defensive anticipation, and spectator pressure—coaches can bridge that gap between perfect form and confident execution on game day. Collins and Flitter also explore why growth isn’t a straight line. Improvement comes in spurts: a breakthrough, a plateau, and then another leap forward. They share practical advice for parents to celebrate incremental wins—whether it’s an extra dribble past a defender or confidently breaking a press—and explain how cognitive maturity and physical strength must align before a skill “clicks” in competition. Listeners will walk away with strategies to communicate these concepts to parents, integrate pressure-based training into practice plans, and cultivate the resilience young athletes need to push through those inevitable developmental valleys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices