Get ready for the upcoming season with our skills development and conditioning camp! This camp is perfect for players of all levels, whether you play recreationally or competitively. Our main focus will be on improving skills and enhancing game IQ. We believe in making learning fun, so expect lots of engaging games and small-sided matchups to help you sharpen your basketball abilities. Our goal is for every player to leave the camp feeling like they had fun, learned something new and honed their existing skills. And for those who thrive on competition, we'll wrap up the camp with an exciting tournament to put your skills to the test. Throughout the camp, we will work on various aspects of the game such as ball-handling, shooting, rebounding, passing, and defensive techniques. Additionally, we'll cover strategies for improving movement and spacing in different game situations including half-court offense, half-court defense, and transition plays. Get ready to elevate your game at our upcoming skills camp!

Our highly popular Summer Jam Basketball Camp is back for a fourth year. It’s designed to get players (both recreational and competitive) ready for the upcoming basketball season. Camp will be in a West Ottawa gym TBA.

MORNING SESSION: (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) - Players born 2014 - 2017

AFTERNOON SESSION: (1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) - Players born 2009 - 2013

Fees: $270 per player

The camp will include a mix of conditioning, skills development, movement and spacing on the floor, and a focus on how to think the game better. Small-sided games and drills will place an emphasis on fun while developing critical shooting, ball-handling, passing, and defensive skills. A camp-ending tournament will enable players to compete while getting them game-ready for the season. 
Camp attendees will work on the following skills:

1. Ball-handling: Sharpening their ability to use both hands; protecting the ball from defenders; using change of speed and direction to drive past a defender; learning or sharpening more advanced dribbles.
2. Shooting: Instructors have been taught by and worked with NBA shooting coach Dave Love and WNBA and NBA shooting coach BriAnna Garza. Throughout the camp, we will progress from strengthening fundamentals (release point, finish, guide hand, footprint, leg drive) to improving mid-range shooting arc and accuracy, to more advanced shots for players who have the strength and ability (runners, floaters, and 3-point shots). We will work on shooting off the catch and the dribble.
3. ​​​​​​​Passing: Players will improve their ability to pass with both hands and with one hand with age-appropriate passes.​​​​​​​
4. Rebounding: We will focus on the fundamentals of boxing out, getting the rebound, and using proper footwork and body position to either score on an offensive rebound or start the defensive transition.​​​​​​​
5. ​​​​​​​Defensive Fundamentals: Players will learn how to improve their ability to defend 1 on 1, and how to become a more effective defender off the ball.​​​​​​​
6. Movement and spacing: We will teach players how to properly move and space the floor using cuts, filling gaps, and enabling space for their teammates to drive the ball.​​​​​​​
7. Transition: Players will learn how to play in transition on both sides of the ball, including sprinting, spacing, and defending with an advantage or disadvantage.

Attendees will feel like they had a lot of fun, that they learned new things, and that they sharpened existing skills, while making new friends in the gym. All attendees will receive a Dri-Fit Summer Jam t-shirt.
Mark Emond and Brian Cameron are the Camp Directors and lead instructors. Mark and Brian are longtime head coaches in West Ottawa’s competitive program. Mark has previously coached at the provincial level at the Ontario Summer Games and Brian at the U Sports level, with the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

Space is limited, so be sure to register early to secure your spot!​​​​​​​