Boston Reviews

Steve had us attempting all sorts of drills: fingertip dribbling exercises, passing drills, running and looking up while dribbling, hop/skipping and dribbling, "ballet" steps in preparation for taking a layup properly, etc. etc. etc. It's very satisfying when you acquire actual basketball skills. One thing I can say about Steve . . . extremely high degree of skill as a teacher . . . relentless, in a good way . . . also has quite the sense of humor. Can't recommend this class enough to anyone who loves basketball and would like to get back into it or learn it as a beginner. Steve is an awesome instructor.-- Tom, 47, business communications consultant

I joined the Beginner/Novice class having never played team basketball before, and having no team sport experience. I'd always regretted not playing team sports as a kid, and was relieved to find a "home" for myself--somewhere I could go as a beginner and not feel like an idiot. As a beginner/novice class, there were people with more experience than I had, but no one made me feel stupid, and questions were welcome. If you take this class, don't get discouraged if you feel you've entered a foreign land. Stick with it, ask lots of questions, keep your sense of humor, and at some point things will start to click. -- Sue A., 34, organic farmer

Beginner/Novice with Steve, Post/play with Chris, Shooting Clinic with Steve. My game continues to develop: technique, confidence, and scoring. And with the critical ability of the NTL coaches to spot problem areas, for example: elbow out, dribble too high, shot too low, I have really been able to permanently change bad habits. The high-energy scrimmages are so much fun - I can't wait till the next practice! -- Rebecca, 51, attorney

Sunday morning intermediate class - each NTL class I take I pick up one or two little things that improve my game in a way I never thought about. My first NTL session I learned to shoot left handed layups which opened up 50% more of the court to me. Not long after that I learned how to come off screens and found that by watching how my defender plays me, I could get wide open every time. Another great lesson was on how wide open you usually become when you set a screen in the low post as long as you look for the ball after screening. Another class we learned about how someone could be wide open even though he had a defender close by if that defender wasn't looking at the ball. Maybe you knew all these things, but come to the class and you'll find out for yourself how much a good coach will improve your game. -- Kevin, 30 software engineer

Sunday class is good team play. There's a lot of good skill work - offensive and defensive - and I've increased my teamwork on offense especially (I think). I also developed an awareness of how to beat the better team (better team play!). -- Ceci, 36, financial books arranger

With enough time to read the Sunday paper and still make it home before kickoff, the Sunday 10:30am to noon class is the perfect workout. It's a nice blend of individual passing, shooting and dribbling exercises combined with team offensive and defensive strategy. A full court scrimmage completes the class. A great group of hard working players participate and the coaching is outstanding. -- Steve, 42 software maven

What I was impressed by immediately was his ability to communicate clearly what he wanted. He knew to eliminate bad habits he needed to stop us immediately when to prevent further repetition. During game play, he modified situations to focus on what we learned and stopped the games when he felt we were astray--very helpful indeed." -- Craig, 32, software engineer

I'm a big fan of Grancio's advanced practices. Chris does a great job of teaching and reinforcing fundamentals, and really isolates and breaks down specific game situations very well. Compared to your typical Bzomowski practice, there's more instruction and focused, repetitive practice. The trade-off is that there's less opportunity to run till your legs give out. All in all, I've learned a heck of a lot from Chris. -- Chris, 34, writer

Chris Grancio's Advanced Practice on Monday night is great. Chris starts off with some quick warm-ups and then focuses on one type of play, like screening or fast breaks. In this class Chris spends a lot of time explaining the little secrets that make the difference between a successful play, shot or move and an ineffectual one. At the end of class we run controlled scrimmages. During the scrimmage if the featured play, shot or move is not working, Chris, will stop play and help us figure what is going wrong so by the end of class we have mastered the lesson during a game situation, -- Jay, 41, teacher

Chris Grancio's Advanced class on Monday nights was the belated basketball education I'd long been looking for. Learning--and practicing--concepts like closing out, drop steps, help-and-rotate, and basket line defense not only improved my game but made it much easier to watch basketball and understand pre- and post-game analyses. All that plus a great scrimmage every week ... what a deal! -- A-Von, 33, historian

Defense clinic - I took the team defense clinic a few NTL sessions ago and I think I've just about recovered from it. Defense is hard work! I thought 'd just be learning about team defense principles. Turns out that was only a small part of what the class covered! We learned tactics to force the defender to a tougher spot, body positioning to help out teammates if they got beat and footwork drills to improve our conditioning. No matter how much you know about defense, if you're too tired to move then you won't be an effective defender and that's where the conditioning drills really paid off. -- Kevin, 30, software engineer

I attended a Defense Class with Steve last fall. When I came back to play in my regular game, I could handle those big guys. It was fun and anyone can do this! Be prepared; it takes energy to defend! -- Ed, 40's, software sleuth

Conditioning: Do you like that incredibly restful feeling of having worked wicked hard? The conditioning class Steve ran in the summer took me there. Many familiar and some crazy new drills kept you running and jumping and passing and shooting steadily for an hour. Scrimmage rules: no walking between foul lines! It was much more fun than the word "conditioning" might imply, however. People of varying fitness levels took the class, and survived. If you go at it hard, the class definitely pushes you up a level from wherever you start. -- Sandy, 41, editor/writer

Coach Z's Conditioning Class was the most intense 90 minutes of basketball ever. He worked us and pushed us until we gave way more than we thought we could. Before NTL, I didn't even know what I wasn't accomplishing on the basketball court. Now I run wide, keep the ball in the middle, pass and screen away, just like you're supposed to! Steve's coaching is the perfect balance of teaching, humor, and motivation. You get enthusiastic praise when you do something right, but when you do something that needs improvement, you hear about that too. My game has improved many times over. I only wish I'd do what Steve coaches me to do 100 percent of the time. -- Jon, 41, "In Vino Veritas"

If you're a bad shooter, the NTL Shooting Clinic will make you a better shooter. If you're already pretty good, Steve Bzomowski will fine tune your shot, balance and release until the few times you do miss you'll ask the Ref to check to see if there is something wrong with the ball. I walked in and hit 70% of my free throws, after the last class I was 20 for 20. You do the math. -- Rob, 37, Director of Product Marketing

Shooting : I'm an inconsistent shooter, but I do seem to shoot much better during the terms I've taken this class. The basic technique and the minor tweaks all get covered. (If I could only keep my elbow in.) It's less physically taxing than most of the other classes, I'd say. Still you work up a sweat; you take a LOT of shots. Not to mention the intense concentration...Scrimmage rules: shoot the ball! -- Sandy, 41, editor, writer

Shooting clinic - The shooting class will help to make you a better shooter in games. Each class we started off making sure our form was correct and then we'd practice in all kinds of different situations. Coming off picks, using shot fakes, pull up jump shots, short jumpers, a defender flying in your face, etc.. In other words, real game situations. But the lessons that really make you a better shooter is learning what a good shot is and how to create them. What are the nuances to using a pick that allow you to get a good shot? How do you use a shot fake to lose your defender and get a wide open shot? Immensely helpful. -- Kevin, 30, software engineer

In the shooting class I really learned the basics (ground up shooting), honed my skills (or lack thereof) and developed more confidence in my shot. Now I actually *take* open shots in scrimmages when I have them! -- Ceci, 36, financial organizer

The Thursday night Novice/Intermediate clinic was informative, fun, and a really good run. Steve has a great coaching style. He puts everyone at ease with his wit but provides enough serious instruction to make any person who missed out on organized sports feel as though they're part of a good college team. The drills focus on various skills and are made to be not boring: individual skills (shooting, ball-handling, rebounding); team play (passing, defense - last night we had a great full-court press drill). The drills also provide a lot of good running or "sweat" time for people interesting in conditioning. Try dribbling up and down the court 20 times, varying the dribbling hand some times, dribbling between the legs other times, dribbing and skipping, etc. The drills provide a good warm-up for what everyone loves to do, which is play the game. The last 30-45 minutes or so are dedicated to team play. The teams are organized by Steve and everyone gets equal time on the court. Steve refs the game and "coaches" both teams a bit. He sometimes helps set up some plays. He'll also sometimes point out to a player when a poor game decision was made, it's always given in an encouraging way. This coaching is very effective in bringing out the best in a player. In summary, the clinic is great! It's a great way to get a good run, learn some basketball skills, meet others who love to play, and play the game. "My left-handed layup and triple-threat position never looked so good!" -- Jean, 41, software engineer

I have been taking the Thursday night Novice/Intermediate program at Matignon for a couple years now. It is a great evening work out that's close to my home. I've learned a ton about playing good team ball - and my shooting finally seems to be improving. We all come to have fun, get exercise, and improve our skills. -- Claire, 30

Thursday Night Advanced Class: Now I'm a basketball snob. The Thursday night class has raised my basketball intelligence such that I expect my teammates to pass and screen away, set solid picks, cheat off their defensive assignment to fill the passing lanes and recognize what my defender does to best utilize me offensively. Wow. -- Craig, 32, software engineer

This program is a great combination of Coach Steve Bzomowski's incomparable teaching of individual skills and simple, yet complicated looking, team play, followed by a high energy, competitive scrimmage to put those two components into practice. Even though I am one of the most senior and least athletic members of the class, Steve's instruction gives me the skills and the smarts to be able to hold my own and become a better player. I learn a new thing every class and that alone is worth the price. -- Jim D., 51, attorney

The classes in general, and the shooting clinic in particular, are geared to all levels of skill and athleticism. The atmosphere is friendly and collegial with everybody looking to just practice and play. We did a lot of drills including specific shooting drills to the mantra/koan. "Same shot, every time", as well as situational drills, how/when to get a shot. -- Anonymous, 30

I'm a crime writer and every fall at the World Mystery Convention I play in the writers' basketball game. I'm also 5 feet tall. No inches; that's it. This year I took Steve Fagan's shooting clinic. After I sank the first three jumpers I took at the convention game, this huge guy from Brooklyn who'd sort of appointed himself captain of our team pointed at me and bellowed, "Get her the ball!" It was a fine, fine moment. -- SRozan, fifty goddam two, writer

If you want to learn the mechanics of shooting, from how to grip the ball to where to place your feet, Coach Steve Fagan's class is for you. Drills and more drills will enhance your shooting skills whether you're a beginner or a 3-point wiz. I recently canned four consecutive foul shots -- I'm not sure I've sunk 4 foul shots lifetime! -- Bob, 53, world-renowned portfolio manager

I never went out for basketball when I was in high school and it's probably the thing I regretted the most...until now. I've been taking the intro class in Brooklyn for a few years and it's everything I wanted in that high school team (minus the away games in the dead of winter). It's drills and skills and a scrimmage at the end where you can break a nice sweat and try out all your new moves. Steve Fagan is great... very funny, encouraging, and astute. Thanks to him, my shot has improved (finally), I feel more confident handling the ball, and I'm starting to understand the strategy of the game, which makes it immensely more fun. There are a couple of repeat players from session to session so it's very supportive and we're able to see our progress from session to session. -- Sue, 29, creative media story gatherer

I am absolutely hooked and highly recommend taking the Monday night Beginner/Novice class in Brooklyn. It provides great instruction on various aspects, whether it be individual shooting, passing and dribbling skills, or team offense and defense. You get to practice what you learn too, with the scrimmage at the end of each class. I love the scrimmages! The players in this class are great to practice with. Steve, the coach, is loads of fun and really knows basketball. I can definitely say that I've become a more skilled and confident basketball player through this program! -- Veronica, 27, basketball enthusiast

My experience at NTL has been such a rewarding experience. NTL is such a great program for adults to learn the game. I started learning from scratch. The beginner's class is a wonderful introduction to basketball. All the players, women and men are always supportive which makes every session enjoyable. From dribbling and shooting, the coach makes it less intimidating to start a new sport. Other than the heart pumping work out that we all sure need, at NTL you get to exercise your mind. Team play is difficult. I learn something new each session. I love the challenge. It's sooooo good that I'm still in it year after year. To think that 3 years ago, basketball was only something I'd watched on tv. Now along with NTL sessions, I am also playing on a women's team. 'Never Too Late'...the name says it all. -- Taneya, 28

When I started with NTL, I didn't know how to box out, couldn't pass, shot freethows like Shaq, couldn't really dribble without looking (especially left handed), and had never even tried to make a layup. Seriously - I am not exagerating! Now, I can cross over dribble and use both hands with confidence, drive to the basket, and make jumpshots with regularity. Last night in a pickup game I drove for a layup, had several assists, and boxed my man out so well that he (the top rebounder in the prior game) didn't pull down a single rebound. NTL has improved my game too much to quantify. Coach Reid especially brings so much knowledge and experience to the program, having been an NBA player and NCAA coach for a lot of years. Though professionally he coaches really talented players, he still really seems honestly to love working with average folks and helping them improve. He's always positive, and makes the practices a great workout and a lot of fun. - Joe, 32, musician/attorney

I look forward to the weekly practices with Billy Reid more than my actual league games. His enthusiasm for working with people and capacity to break down the skills of the game of basketball for players of all levels inspires even the feint-hearted of us to keep working on our game with confidence. The drills are challenging and interesting with Billy's explanations for how each exercise improves individual player skills and our ability to team. I consider my NTL experience the most precious gem in my basketball arsenal! - Linda, upholsterer, 46

The workouts at SF NTL are consistently fun, challenging and rewarding. I've been going for 3 years now, without missing one session and can honestly say that my game has improved more than in all the years of pick-up I'd played before NTL. The coaches are always ready with sophisticated drills designed to push you exactly where you need the most help, whether it is dribbling, shooting, passing, play-making, court vision, defensive movement, or the formidable Flex Offense. I've never felt that anyone was left out of the workouts because they didn't know enough, weren't coordinated enough, or didn't know the right slang - the coaches go out of their way to meet you at your ability level and to incorporate you into the flow of the practice. They often take time to instruct one-on-one for those players who need a little extra to get them rolling. They also accurately assess the conditioning level of the players and push you just enough to make it a real workout. The best part is how much fun you have improving your game and then taking your new skills to your games and using it and seeing the results! I highly recommend SF NTL. Come on down - you'll be sure to see me there! Paul - 47, Psychologist