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Instruction & Training

The mission of Academia Meritorious is to build young players into defenders that take pride in defending their opponent, and changing the game with their intellect, effort, and discipline. I focus on teaching the fundamentals of stance, footwork, positioning, and anticipation, while also developing advanced defensive strategies that allow players to compete at their highest possible levels. The goal is to develop the necessary confidence, competitiveness, and acumen that allows players to become proficient defenders.

"Defensive excellence is the ability to consistently impact the game on the
defensive end through skill, discipline, and effort."

Defensive Literacy

Defensive illiteracy is one of the biggest challenges young players face. A defensively illiterate player may hustle hard, but still struggle because they lack the knowledge, language, and awareness needed to play sound defense. At Academia Meritorious, I believe defensive literacy is the foundation of elite play. By teaching players essential terms, concepts, and habits, I help them transform from "guessers" into impactful game-changers. The goal is to take athletes from being defensive illiteracy to defensive fluency. 

I break down the art of on-ball defense into clear, teachable skills such as: stance, footwork, angles, and anticipation, ensuring athletes master the small details that make a big difference. Players are challenged to think critically, react strategically, and compete with intensity, while also being encouraged to learn from their mistakes. Ultimately, my approach is about developing complete defenders who impact the game and winning with their defensive effort & discipline.

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Mental Skills Developed

  • IQ & Intelligence

  • Focus & Concentration

  • Discipline

  • Patience 

  • Confidence

  • Work Ethic

  • Resilience

  • Competitiveness

  • Adaptability

Physical Skills Developed

  • Proprioception

  • ​Spatial Awareness

  • Coordination

  • Balance

  • Footwork & Foot-speed

  • Agility

  • Hand-eye Coordination

  • Strength & Conditioning

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