Off-Season Blueprint: Develop Good Habits

The “Re-Entry” Shock

Your child comes home from PGC on fire. They are waking up early. They are writing in their notebook. They are talking about “SCHAPE.” You think: “This is amazing.”

Then, two weeks pass. School starts. They go back to their local AAU team or high school open gym. The environment is different. Nobody else is clapping. Nobody else is sprinting to the huddle. Slowly, the habits start to fade. The “Camp High” wears off.

This is the danger zone. To protect your investment, you need a plan for retention. Here is how to ensure the PGC transformation lasts all year long.

Read “The Car Ride Home” for the first step in this process

1. The “21-Day” Notebook Challenge The notebook is the anchor.

• The Goal: Encourage your athlete to read one page of their PGC notebook every day before practice.
• Why: It resets their brain. It reminds them of the vocabulary and the standards they committed to.

2. Be the “Thermostat,” Not the “Thermometer” We teach this concept at camp.

• A thermometer reflects the temperature of the room (if the team is lazy, I am lazy).
• A thermostat sets the temperature (if the team is lazy, I bring energy).

Prepare your child for the reality that their local teammates might not have “PGC energy.” Challenge them: “Don’t lower your level to match them. Raise them to match you.”

3. The “3 Things” Post-Game Ritual Change how you debrief after their games. Instead of asking about points, ask about PGC habits:

• Did you touch the paint? (Decision making)
• Did you high-five your teammates? (Spirit)
• Did you talk on defense? (Communication)

If you value these things, they will continue to value them.

4. Use the PGC Resources We don’t leave you hanging.

• PGC Online: We have digital content and newsletters. Stay subscribed.
• The 365 Training: Many athletes stick their “SCHAPE” checklist on their bathroom mirror. Visual cues are powerful.

5. Contact the Coach (A proactive move for parents). Send a quick email to their high school coach: “Hey, [Name] just got back from PGC Basketball. They really focused on leadership and vocal communication. I’m hoping he can bring that to the team this year.” This alerts the coach to look for (and reward) those specific behaviors.

Read “Why Your Coach Will Thank You” for more on this dynamic

It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Week

PGC isn’t something you did; it’s something you are. The best players aren’t the ones who have a great week in July. They are the ones who are still hustling in November when no one is watching.

Keep the fire burning. Explore our Fall Weekend Shooting Colleges for a mid-year refresher