The Basketball Movement - Home of Yanders Law

For everything Yanders Law, follow along with us at The Basketball Movement.

Like The Basketball Movement, Yanders Law was started by former pro, Rob Yanders as yet another way to elevate the hoops scene in the Midwest. The AAU program has seen hundreds of the area’s best young hoopers come through since its establishment in 2010.

As an elite training facility, The Basketball Movement is the perfect home base for the competitive grassroots teams. The same is true online, as everything you need to know about Yanders Law can be found through The Basketball Movement.

You can follow Yanders Law on Twitter for news and other updates, but make sure to follow along with The Basketball Movement on Instagram as the most consistent source of highlights of YLB ballers in action. Those clips feed into our Facebook stories as well if that is more your scene!

Highlights and player updates are based primarily on the older players in the Yanders Law program for privacy reasons. The exposure gained through The Basketball Movement mediums has helped numerous athletes gain exposure and be noticed at the collegiate level.

Also, the highlight clips are just dope.

Our social media pages and thebasketballmovement.com are your home for Yanders Law Basketball. For any questions about the program or details on how to get involved, please email basketballmovement@yahoo.com and a coach will get back to you.

Thank you #LawNation for your support. Go Yanders Law!

The Basketball Movement Saturday Clinic

Check out the premier basketball training facility in the Midwest with The Basketball Movement Saturday Clinics.

The Basketball Movement’s bread and butter is our individual or group skill development training (contact us for more info!). We have trained elite area talent, NCAA men and women athletes, and NBA players. The Basketball Movement has a notable history of being a developer of people.

However, not every hooper is ready for intense training, whether due to age or skill level. That is why we implemented Saturday Clinics, an inexpensive way for young players to work on the basics and sharpen their basketball skills.

Every Saturday, the Clinics are held from 9:00-11:00 am unless otherwise posted on our site or social pages.

These mini-camp-style open gyms are for both boys and girls from 2nd to 8th grade. It is $25 to participate. Parents of multiple eligible athletes may be entitled to a discount.

Registration is not necessary, but if you have questions or want to ensure spots, you can call (417) 861-2166 and speak with Coach Craig.

Saturday Clinics are a fun weekend activity that we are thrilled to provide to our community. If you have any further questions, call or email basketballmovement@yahoo.com

We look forward to seeing you!

Becoming a leader with The Basketball Movement

In basketball and in life, leadership is highly valuable. Therefore, The Basketball Movement aims to turn out as many leaders as possible.

Every individual is made up of unique skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Society and teams are at their best when leaders can step up and guide groups in ways that benefit everyone. The Basketball Movement wants to do its part in creating as many leaders as possible.

On the basketball court, it is easy to point to a team’s leading scorer or point guard when picking out the leader. This, of course, does not have to be true. Leadership is possible at all positions.

A player who always makes sure to be a positive presence on the bench is a leader. Players that work to foster off-court relationships with their teammates are leaders. Players that outrun everyone else during practice are leaders. Players that hold teammates accountable in the classroom are leaders.

You can still have the classic leaders—the most vocal defender, the offense initiator, or others who lead by example.

Leadership is a challenging aspect of life to develop, but it's also incredibly rewarding. Being a leader means taking the initiative and often stepping out of your comfort zone. It's about being confident and understanding the sacrifices it takes to help a team succeed.

“If you’re going to be a leader, you’re not going to please everybody. You gotta hold people accountable, even if you have that moment of being uncomfortable.”
— Kobe Bryant

The Basketball Movement understands that leadership can come from anywhere, so we empower all our players to step up as leaders in their own way. Leadership in basketball is just one of many lessons we want our athletes to take away from their time with us.

Those of you who are leaders already - Go forth! Spread your gift in any way that helps others, on the court or off. As our players apply their lessons to their respective teams and other aspects of life, such as work or school, we wish them the best and hope they continue to hold themselves to our high standards.

For more on The Basketball Movement, you're in the right place. But to stay connected and engaged, we encourage you to follow us on Twitter @BBall_Movement. Be part of our community and stay updated on all our latest news and events!

Got that "dawg" in you?

You have probably heard the term “got that dawg in him/her.” Do you?

When you hear someone say they got that dawg in ‘em, what do you think of? Probably a player that is scrappy, competitive, and brings energy. Those things are indeed true. Having a high motor and no quit is a big part of being not only a successful athlete, but a driven and successful person.

What having that dawg in you really comes down to is mental toughness.

Mental toughness is difficult to teach. It can be instilled in a person/player, but that individual must be receptive.

Over the years, The Basketball Movement and its Trainers have enhanced the mental toughness of countless players. Those skills learned here have positively impacted their lives on and off the court.

We cannot take all credit, though, because it is so largely up to each individual. The true dawgs that we have turned out either had a bit of that fire in them from the start or made a conscious decision at some point to flip the switch and become players who play hard and never quit.

Having that dawg in you does not mean you put your head down and attack the basket every possession. The dawg in you is what makes you make the basketball plays that don’t always make the highlight reel.

Sticking with hard screens, diving for loose balls, boxing out rebounders, delivering unselfish passes, getting in the proper defensive stance every possession, smart closeouts on shooters, and practicing as hard as you play… these are the plays we see from players that have the dawg in ‘em.

Those are tangible examples. There is also the inner drive to improve, the NEED to achieve a team win, the support of teammates even when it is hard… there are many examples of that dawg that it takes to be a winner.

So, do you have that dawg in you? Are you ready to find out? Reach out to The Basketball Movement and learn about ways to test your mettle. We’ll see if you have what it takes.

Staying sharp while playing other sports

For athletes who play multiple sports, it is crucial to maintain your edge on the basketball court.

Football has kicked off at every level, with volleyball, cross country, soccer, and plenty of other sports going on besides. There are many different sports for athletes to choose from, especially at the prep level on down. Many of the best athletes distribute their talents over several of these sports, which is great but also presents new challenges.

Time spent on other sports is time spent focusing your attention on things besides basketball. But, again, this is certainly okay as there are many things in life already more critical than hooping, like family, education, etc.

Once it is time to focus on basketball again, you do not want to have fallen behind your teammates, let alone your competition.

When you are caught up with other sports, time management becomes crucial. The sport season you are engaged in likely needs to be the priority (once homework is done). Being coachable, a good teammate, and a successful athlete in whichever sport has your attention needs to remain at the forefront. However, don't forget about the most fantastic sport in the world: basketball.

“The great players show how much they want to play during the offseason - when it’s hot, when it’s tough, and when no one’s watching.”
— Tony Alfonso

Even if you mess around in the driveway dribbling, getting shots up, or playing pick-up games with friends, you stay sharper than you would otherwise. Just remember to keep learned skills, such as shooting form, in the front of your mind. The offseason is the easiest time to get lax on fundamentals and form bad habits.

One of the best things you can do is use a block of free time for focused, intense training. You probably see where this is going, but a workout session like those offered by The Basketball Movement is perfect for blocking out other things from your mind so you can just focus on basketball.

Even smack in the middle of softball season, track season, and what have you, you can still find a few hours. A few hours of concentrated basketball training, especially over a few days, can keep your skills sharp and serve as reminders of what it takes to stay at the top of your game.

Anytime you can have a basketball in your hands is helpful. To get the most out of your basketball offseason, contact The Basketball Movement. Coaches Craig, Sly, AJ, and the rest are the perfect team to ensure that you stay at the top of your game, even if you are playing other sports. Hit us up!

The Basketball Movement Training

Ebrace ferocious work ethic at The Basketball Movement

We are known for pushing athletes to become better: better competitors, better players, and hopefully better people. We get this work year-round, not just at events or for those involved with Yanders Law or We Are United.

High school boys and girls, professional hoopers, grade school kids, college players… it does not matter who you are - we want to help you reach your next goal as a player. Hopefully, we can teach you enough about putting in work that it also carries over off the court.

Though we accept willing players from all levels, we ask a lot from the athletes who step on our court. If you cannot work hard and give the necessary effort, we do not want your money. We hold ourselves to high standards and associate only with players that do the same.

If that sounds like you, come get this work.

The Basketball Movement’s bread and butter is skill development. Our trainers include former college players, pro players, and individuals who have been obsessed with the sport for as long as they can remember. You will be challenged, and if you are willing to accept that, you will improve.

We also offer film analysis for higher-level players - one of the most undervalued skills you can have at the college and pro levels. Learning it can be difficult, and we are one of the few teachers around.

One-on-one workouts, group work, strength and conditioning… we are equipped with everything necessary to elevate your game, all wrapped up in a facility modeled with professional setups in mind.

If you or your athlete are prepared to take their game to the next level, reach out to us at basketballmovement@yahoo.com or even drop by and see for yourself what we are all about at 2135 N Sports Complex Ln, Nixa MO 65714.

Serious improvement is not for the faint of heart. We look forward to hearing from the warriors who want to sharpen their iron with ours. We’ll see you on the court.

Legacy

What we can learn from the legacy of Rob Yanders.

Sometimes, when you are building something, you do not have time to step back and appreciate it. Robert Yanders knew what he was building and completed much more than he likely even knew.

What was he building? More than a professional basketball training facility, AAU program, or prep school. He was building a family and a brother and sisterhood of ambitious leaders, competitors, community members… He was building better people.

Since Rob’s tragic passing, the Springfield, Milwaukee, and basketball communities have paused to behold his works. In his time with us that was entirely too short, Rob managed to create a lasting impact on the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals.

“Legacy” is the long-lasting impact of a person’s life. If Rob had any desire to have a legacy, we can all certainly agree that he achieved his goal.

He was not done building, but he did leave behind his blueprints. If you want to leave a legacy, you have now seen what it takes.

You do not have to be an NBA star to use basketball (or any other sport) as a tool. If you have a passion, you can use it to grow others around you. It is not an easy path - nothing is given. Do right by others, work hard, take care of your own, work harder, and do not give up on your dream.

Rob would want each of us to leave a legacy when we are no longer here. Keep that in mind throughout this week as you go to school, work, or the gym. Then, keep it going for the next month, then a year. Keep Rob’s fire going.

The Rob Yanders legacy was making people better. If you are reading this, he likely did that for you. Return the favor and KEEP ROB’S FIRE GOING.

LEGACY

Rob Yanders Memorial Game

The Basketball Movement is holding a memorial basketball game to celebrate our Founder, Rob Yanders.

On August 17th at 3PM, The Basketball Movement will be hosting a game in remembrance of the great Rob Yanders, celebrating his legacy and accomplishments.

We are not celebrating his accolades as a player or record as a coach, but his impact as a leader, family man, friend, and mentor.

Much like the game that took place around this harrowing time last year, the participants will be current and former Yanders Law players, We Are United prep players, and gym rats of The Basketball Movement.

To keep track of who would like to participate and to better facilitate the event, we ask all current and former players that are interested to reach out in advance.

Call or text Coach Craig at (417)861-2166, or email us at basketballmovement@yahoo.com if you plan on participating in the game.

Spectators are welcome and encouraged to come watch the game. We have two court-length rows of leather chairs that will largely be first-come, first served.

It has been a difficult year for The Basketball Movement family as we navigate a reality without our legendary leader. Nothing helps to alleviate that pain more than seeing Rob’s works in action. A full gym - his gym - with players playing in his style is a powerful testament to his accomplishments not just as a basketball guru, but as a man.

Expect fights over jump balls, immaculate outside strokes, a few tears, and countless smiles as we express our love for Rob through the beauty of basketball!

Talent vs. Teamwork

The Paris Olympics have helped to highlight an important aspect of basketball - talent vs. teamwork.

The 2024 USA Men’s Basketball team is one of the most talented teams ever assembled. Past Olympic squads have also impressed, of course, and we catch glimpses of interesting All-Star teams for one game a year. However, this year’s Team USA has an impressive blend of veteran savvy and greatness mixed with young explosiveness and hunger. These guys are the elite of the elite.

For this reason, the U.S. is favored to win the gold, which would be their fifth in a row. Why, then, have they struggled first with Australia and then with South Sudan, one of the youngest countries in the world?

The answer primarily comes down to a mixture of teamwork and willpower.

Players from Team USA are weighed down by individual egos. But, to be fair, who can blame them? They have achieved so much because they believe in themselves and the work they have put in individually. An ego is understandable, but it can be an obstacle in the pursuit of team cohesion.

South Sudan, for example, is a team with little noticeable ego. They have a couple of guys who have appeared on NBA rosters but generally have achieved success by not forcing shots, shooting only when open, passing until attacking makes sense, and out-hustling their opponents.

Many players on Team USA frankly desire to look cool. They know they should be the best, so they sometimes do not focus on winning plays but on plays that will stand out on Instagram reels.

The USA has not lost an exhibition or Olympic game yet. Talent can undoubtedly erase many mistakes, especially when the talent is monumental, as in the USA's case.

However, the narrative has not been the dominance of Team USA, as we might have expected by now. Instead, it is the young talent of Australia, the dawg in South Sudan, and Germany's fluid and balanced offense. We all want to watch the talented team USA, but we have also been treated to a taste of what the power of teamwork can do.

Luckily for you, you probably don’t ever have to play against a team that includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and the Celtics' stifling backcourt. The talent gap you face will most likely be smaller than that.

So imagine what teamwork can do for you. Unselfish passing, defensive intensity, aggressive rebounding, smart shot selection, shared passion for the game, and desire to win are things that do not require physical gifts. You and your teammates can significantly elevate yourselves with the right mindset and work ethic.

Naturally, we know a place where you can not only work on intangibles but grow your talent as well. Reach out to The Basketball Movement for both individual and group skill development training to elevate your team.

Also, keep watching these Olympic games. Take note of what makes possessions work—not necessarily Steph Curry’s 40-footers or Kevin Durant’s skyscraping turnarounds. See what other teams do to score against Team USA and some of the most capable defenders in the world. Never stop learning the game, and never underestimate the power of teamwork.

Yanders Law highlights

Two of the best places to catch Yanders Law Basketball action are Instagram and X.

The Basketball Movement is affiliated with the Yanders Law AAU Basketball program. Both ourselves and Yanders Law were founded by Rob Yanders, who has maintained a vision that has resulted in the success of countless young men and women throughout this part of the country.

Being a part of Yanders’ basketball ecosystem, many Yanders Law athletes are privileged to be followed by a top-tier media team that allows them to gain additional exposure.

The team is small, so not all athletes can be covered. Our media crew does the best they can, and those results certainly shine through.

Individual highlights and game clips can be found on social sites like Instagram and X. For a comprehensive collection of more complete footage, we recommend you check YouTube!

As we said, not all athletes may be featured, but there remains a trove of exciting Yanders Law action that shows some of the best in our program. The best way to be featured is by working your butts off year-round. We know who you are.

Check out the videos, drop likes and a subscription, and stay tuned for more Yanders Law and The Basketball Movement content!

The Basketball Movement throwbacks

Keeping your eyes on the horizon is important, but do not forget the past.

As always, big things are going down at The Basketball Movement. We are the home of Yanders Law AAU, which is plugging away this summer. We are also continuing to facilitate skill development workouts for players ranging from kids to pros. Sometimes though, it is fun to look back.

There have been many special moments over the years; far too many to share. Part of Rob Yanders’ vision was media exposure for his athletes, so we have plenty of documentation to back up the good moments.

Teammates turned opponents is always a recipe for a good time. Iron sharpens iron and all that.

Another recipe for a good time is an OG catching up with good friends and big-time hoopers…

With legendary events like our Elite Guard camps or The Basketball Movement Invitational, there are plenty of great throwbacks to go around.

The Basketball Movement is excited by where we are headed but also proud of where we have been. The best may very well be yet to come, but the journey so far has been damn good. Rewarding. Fulfilling.

Rob Yanders laid out one hell of a blueprint. Join us as we continue the movement.

We will be posting some more throwbacks in the coming weeks. Follow The Basketball Movement everywhere to appreciate the journey so far and keep up with what comes next.

Fourth of July

Another holiday means another perfect time for reflection, family, and free throw practice… if you ask us.

Independence Day is special because it marks a historic moment for our country and gives us all a chance to celebrate the many freedoms we are afforded. No country is perfect, and this is also a time to reflect on what we can do to continue shaping our piece of this world into a shining example of justice, equality, and peace. We all have a part to play - so go out and make a positive difference in your community!

We hope you get some well-deserved time off to enjoy family and friends and celebrate however you feel is most appropriate. Remember, rest and reflection are just as important as practice and competition. So, while we would suggest using this time to outwork your competition, we also encourage you to take a moment to appreciate your journey and the people who support you.

The Basketball Movement will be closed on Thursday and Friday so our guys can spend needed time with family and friends! However, We will still have our usual Saturday Clinic this weekend (7/6).

Those missing out on that time to work are encouraged to do some ball-handling work in the driveway, get shots up wherever possible, or even watch some hoops and pay close attention to players you may model your game after.

The NBA Summer League kicks off in California this weekend, and the WNBA schedule is regular for the week, so there will still be hoops to watch!

So enjoy the weekend! Work hard if there is work to be done, but do your best to find time to reflect and be grateful as well. As always - keep checking back right here as we monitor the world’s basketball movement and do our part to uplift an already incredible hoops community.

What is The Basketball Movement?

The Basketball Movement is the premier facility in the Midwest for hoopers to come to and elevate their game.

Many players from this area and beyond have been elevating their game with the house that Rob Yanders built, The Basketball Movement. Those familiar with the local basketball scene see that many of the best players are part of #LawNation (Yanders Law AAU) or have invested time at The Basketball Movement.

Coincidence? C’mon now.

Many of us at The Basketball Movement are parents ourselves and understand the desire to see our children succeed. By now, we have proven that the best way for athletes to experience success is by putting in time at our facility with our elite core of coaches and trainers.

There are many ways to work on basketball skills, but we are confident that we provide the most bang for your buck, not just in Southwest Missouri but the whole Midwest. Getting your athletes in front of trainers requires an investment no matter where you take them, so why not the most proven talent developers in this part of the country?

The good news? Our pricing system is very reasonable for what The Basketball Movement provides. Contact The Basketball Movement to get a feel for what that looks like for you or your athlete(s). Younger players can also check out our Saturday Clinics to try out our atmosphere before diving into skill development workouts.

Get the most out of your time and money year-round with our elite crew of trainers and pro-level facility at The Basketball Movement!

Planning for self-improvement

Do you have a plan for self-improvement?

In today’s basketball world, the number of talented players is incalculable. The talent pool is deeper than it ever has been. The number of lockdown defenders who will never play D1 ball is shocking. The number of three-point snipers who cannot crack their varsity squad is intimidating. How, then, can you hope to stand out or excel?

Before anything else, you need a plan.

Having a plan for self-improvement provides a roadmap for players to set goals, identify areas for development, and take actionable steps toward achieving their desired level of play.

In surpassing players around you, many of whom may be more naturally gifted than you, a good plan of attack is essential. With the framework of a plan, you can stay focused and motivated where others may fall off.

Time allocation, skill prioritization, and progress tracking are a few of the pros involved in having a thought-out approach to improving on the court.

We have spoken before about the need to focus on your strengths while insulating your weaknesses.

The Basketball Movement was built to improve basketball players, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help creating specialized plans for improvement.

Our weight equipment has been explicitly designed with basketball players in mind. We have a rebounding shooting gun - keep track of your makes and strive for improvement. Get a little faster each time you condition. Be open with coaches and trainers about your willingness to work and improve.

Our trainers are one of the ultimate basketball resources in this part of the country. If you want to make a plan for improvement and need help getting started, there is no better place than The Basketball Movement.

Contact us and get started right away!

Elite open runs

Some Yanders Law and We Are United alumni and other gym rats of The Basketball Movement recently had some open runs. Peep these highlights.

The Basketball Movement spontaneously hosted some open runs for college-level players and up. We point out the spontaneity in trying to avoid questions about plans for such events in the future. There are no plans. This was just a combination of program alumni in the area looking to hoop and hitting up guys they knew could stack up.

As usual, our media team was not far off, and we were able to capture some dope footage. Plenty of good stuff to sift through, as the talent level on the court was elite.

The clips are all up on our Twitter (X) and Instagram. We figure this is as good a time as any to remind you to follow us on those pages. We have great clips of familiar faces like these, Yanders Law AAU highlights, and more on those pages.

Follow The Movement, and don’t miss a thing!

Happy Mother's Day!

THE BASKETBALL MOVEMENT WANTS TO WISH A HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS OR GUARDIANS who FILL THAT ROLE.

Dealing with so many young athletes, The Basketball Movement is blessed to witness many special relationships. We see mothers drive kids to games or workouts, supply meals and equipment, coach, and give time and love in countless other ways.

Whether it is a mother or another figure that fills that role, the bonds we are privileged to witness always warm our hearts.

So, this Mother’s Day, we want to say thank you to all these special people in our lives and the lives of the athletes we work with! We preach the importance of who is in your circle as a hooper, and a mother figure can be an essential piece.

Do not take mothers for granted, as the work it takes to be a good mom cannot be understated. The Basketball Movement knows a thing or two about working hard, but motherhood has no off-season. Let them know you love them not only today but as often as possible. Please show gratitude for the countless things - big and small - that they do for you!

There are many special moms affiliated with The Basketball Movement. They know who they are, and we hope that they feel the love always! Happy Mother’s Day from The Basketball Movement family!

Film analysis with The Basketball Movement

An undervalued skill in basketball is knowing how to adequately prepare for matchups - a skill The Basketball Movement can help you develop.

As you grow in the sport of basketball, the intricacies get more and more important. You have heard for a long time that the little things add up - that becomes more true in each level of the sport. By the time you are playing high school ball and especially hit college or the pros, you should have the fundamentals down. You will be working on the finer things.

One area that too often goes uncoached is the art of mental preparation. You may be equipped with a deep bag of on-court skills, but if you aren’t as prepared as your opponent for the mental portion of the game, the scales will tip.

Luckily, you have a resource. The Basketball Movement has been helping players develop these skills for years, not only teaching players to learn on the fly but also what to look for in film analysis. As you grow in the sport, prepping for teams and individual players becomes crucial if you wish to be competitive. Shouldn’t you learn how to get the most out of this aspect of the game? (The answer is yes)

If you as a player or coach need to learn how to adequately prepare for matchups by studying film or even what to look for in-person, contact us at The Basketball Movement.

Our facility includes a state-of-the-art film room that is designed to teach these skills with interactive smart screens and just the man for the job. Head Trainer, Rob Yanders has learned from years of collegiate and professional basketball exactly what to look for and exactly how to look for it.

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This is just one piece of what The Basketball Movement has to offer, but it is a piece that will be difficult to find anywhere else in Southwest Missouri. The specific knowledge and expertise that go into providing lessons on film analysis shouldn’t be discounted. We help hundreds of players each week in so many ways, but this is one way that does not get used enough. Use us! We want to help and need you to know how much more there is than on-the-court action.

Again, to take advantage of our facility and knowledge to give you an edge, please contact The Basketball Movement here and keep it locked to this blog for more of what we do best!

Strengths and Weaknesses

You know what you are good at, and you know what needs work. Which is more deserving of attention?

As a player, unless you are blinded by supreme confidence, you are aware that you are not perfect. Perhaps you have never been the best shooter, or maybe you are an undersized post player. You also know where you shine on the court or in the locker room.

With something like basketball, it is easy to get caught up in the areas that need improvement. This is not always a bad thing; there are always opportunities to elevate skill level but do not also forget to focus on the strengths that set you apart.

Players like Shaquille O’Neal and Giannis Antetekounmpo have been mercilessly criticized for their free-throw shooting woes. They are also heavily applauded - they have both been NBA MVPs, First-Team NBA guys, and champions. Do you see where we are heading with this?

Focus on what sets you apart

Shaq was not a great free-throw shooter, but that did not matter because he was so dominant in other facets of the game.

If you are a great shooter, keep working on shooting. Never entirely ignore any aspect of the sport, but stay sharp and keep improving even your best qualities. The all-time great shooters were not content with being good. They still practiced shooting every single day. 

Even if you are hyper-focused on strengths, do not forget:

Insulate weaknesses to make sure you do not fall behind

Just because you are focused on what sets you apart does not mean you can ignore the other aspects of the game. You can become a great shooter, but coaches will be hesitant to play you if you never bothered to work on defense.

Not everyone can be fast. Stay in shape and keep your conditioning at the best level you can, but do not sweat it too much if you struggle to improve foot speed. Focus instead on footwork and body positioning to insulate this weakness. Then, get right back to focusing on what sets you apart.

Great rebounders practice rebounding. Glue guys focus on defense and ball movement. Shooters get up hundreds of shots. Be a well-rounded player, but make sure your best skills are kept the sharpest for your team.

Make sure to keep up with more on the great game of basketball here at The Basketball Movement.

Yanders Mentality

Many have heard of the Mamba Mentality, but around here, people know about the Yanders Mentality.

During Kobe Bryant's reign in the basketball world, a term was coined: Mamba Mentality. Bryant was the most skilled, ferocious competitor we had seen since Micahel Jordan himself. The Mamba Mentality embodied not only extreme competitiveness but also the mindset that is required to be the best.

Here in the Midwest, many of us have witnessed or been touched by something very similar: the Yanders Mentality.

Rob Yanders was an extreme competitor in his own right. His desire for personal domination was unique, though, as he had an equal desire to elevate those around him. The Yanders Mentality certainly encompasses a competitive nature and voracious work ethic, but it also has the spirit of servitude.

Our time with Rob may have been too short, but it was more than enough to demonstrate the Yanders Mentality.

Rob held himself to incredibly high standards. He also held those around him to incredibly high standards, practicing what he preached about who you keep in the circle that surrounds you. We at The Basketball Movement continue his methods. If you come through our doors without the Yanders Mentality, you can turn right back around and find another elite training facility.

Hunger to improve your craft. Hunger to be the best that you possibly can. Hunger to improve the people around you. That is the Yanders Mentality.

After reading this, we want to challenge everyone to take a moment of self-reflection. Do you have a hunger for the things mentioned above? Are you feeding that hunger?

Some days, it is easier to grind on your craft and improve yourself than to improve others. That is what makes it so difficult to maintain the Yanders Mentality. We are challenging ourselves and challenging you to improve someone close to you today.

That may mean picking someone up who is down. It may mean telling someone something they may not want to hear but need to (another Rob specialty). If you are focused and intentional, opportunities present themselves more than you may expect.

The path is not always easy, but Rob never saw an obstacle in his path that he did not find the ability to conquer. We all miss him. But, we can honor him and keep his fire going by leaning on each other and living with the Yanders Mentality.

Spring Break

How are you spending spring break this year? How are your opponents spending spring break this year?

Life will always be handing you great excuses for not honing your craft—bad weather, a full schedule, holidays, no gym, and so on. Of course, there is nothing wrong with taking breaks or needing time off - life happens. Just remember that the players you strive to be better than you may not be doing the same.

Even the workhorse himself, Rob Yanders, would preach to his top athletes about the importance of seeking peace. You can consider ball to be life, but without balance, you can inadvertently burn out, chipping away at the razor edge of your passion for the sport. Taking time to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit is not just a good idea; it can often be essential.

Keep in mind also that time taken away from your craft, especially extended time, comes with a price. You must hone the edge of your passion but also keep the other edge sharp as well - your skills.

While time off can be critical, the important part is finding balance. If you take too much time away, there is a good chance that others are outworking you. Opponents do not stop coming. Some fall off, but many keep pushing themselves to improve constantly. If you do not want them to catch you, or if you are the one trying to catch them, you must always be working in one way or another.

Spring break is a great time to reset in many ways. Younger athletes get a break from studies, and many take time away from work to be with family. It sounds like a good time to tighten up your handles to us!

To get in the gym and get better while you have the chance, reach out to us here.

Enjoy your time off, but remember what it takes to be the best! If you know what that means, we look forward to seeing you soon.