Youth Basketball Coaching and Player Development - Re:Nike SPARQ training comercials on TV -

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GAtwood
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Nike SPARQ training comercials on TV - 2008/03/28 21:58 Just making an observation here...

I find it interesting that NIKE is apparently trying to "mainstream" their SPARQ line of gear. The Eastbay catalog (and other sources) have contained the equipment for more than a year now. But over the past week end I saw commercials on ESPN & CBS for SPARQ gear.

They show all these high level pro athletes saying, "My quick is quicker than your quick," as their marketing strategy. Are kids supposed to just go buy this stuff, watch the videos and train them selves?

I've come to know this equipment (weight vests, med balls, ladders, parachute, speed hurdles, etc) as tools that trainers and knowledgable coaches use. I mean, used wrong without proper instruction/supervision, some of this equipment can develop bad habits, or maybe lead to injury.

Does Nike just want to sell more stuff, increase the bottom line? Are they being irresponsible? Or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

I saw an interview on NBA TV with a young player who had put on 20 pounds of muscle in 3 months. The interviewere asked him how he did it, and the kid replied, "Well, I've been doing a lot of SPARQ training." I thought that was a pretty hillarious response.

Any thoughts?

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coachmccormick
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Re:Nike SPARQ training comercials on TV - 2008/03/29 05:19 I think Nike has a business plan and they are unfolding it slowly. First, they "created" SPARQ using some well-known trainers who they put on pay roll. However, if you watch what they do and read what they do and see the "special" equipment, the only difference is the name brand. It's not like they invented ladder drills.

They are using their gigantic marketing ability to create a new market. First, they offered the testing for free. However, to do the testing, whoever offered the test had to buy their equipment, which is more expensive than any such equipment without the Nike name.

Now, they are certifying official "SPARQ" trainers. I have seen people put that designation on their CV now. Nike SPARQ certified. What does it mean? Beats me.

They are slowing creating a training business. They have a ton of money and they can use big endorsers but at the end of the day, as you say, the training is only as good as the work done by the kid and the thoughtfulness or the training program and the ability of the trainer to meet the individual's needs.

Of course, most consumers figure that if LT's speed smells like french toast and the implication is that he developed the speed using these sparq products that if the consumer uses the products, his speed will smell like french toast too.

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