Unlocking the Secrets of Youth Basketball Coaching: Insights from the 2026 KBL Academy

“I’ve been teaching kids for 11 years now. Coming here, I’ve learned basketball all over again.”

On February 10th, Lee Seo-jun, the director, caught an early morning train from Cheongju to attend the 2026 KBL Youth Coach Academy at Myungji High School’s gymnasium. His passion was palpable as he arrived, eager to absorb more knowledge for the benefit of his young players.

Lee Seo-jun has been a youth basketball coach at the Cheongju Floater Basketball Class for 11 years. He also works as an after-school instructor at Solbat Middle School and Gangseo Elementary School.

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Lee Seo-jun secured his spot through additional recruitment for the Youth Coach Academy. “When the initial announcement came out, registration had already closed,” he explained. “I was waiting for the second round and got in through additional recruitment. I didn’t care about souvenirs or extras. I was determined to participate, no matter what.”

Despite his 11 years of experience coaching youth, Lee Seo-jun said the Youth Coach Academy gave him a fresh perspective on basketball.

“It feels like I’m relearning how to teach the fundamentals,” Lee shared. “Especially with kids, I’ve realized I need to meet them at their level even more. By lowering my perspective and approaching things more meticulously, I think the kids will enjoy it more.”

The Youth Coach Academy stands out by offering more than just basketball-centric training. It provides a comprehensive experience, covering sports injury prevention, taping techniques, stretching, and warm-up exercises.

“I’ve always been interested in taping and often research it on YouTube,” Lee noted. “But those videos usually only cover the basics. The Academy offered in-depth, hands-on experience. Learning about injury prevention programs for players was particularly valuable. The level of detail was impressive, making it an incredibly worthwhile experience.”

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Based in Cheongju, Lee plans to attend the second day of the program on February 11th, despite the challenging commute for the 9 AM start.

Undeterred, Lee said, “If it helps the kids even a little, it’s worth it. Unlike soccer, basketball can seem daunting to beginners. There’s often pressure to become an elite player. I want to show that basketball can be approachable and fun. That’s what I’m striving for.”

In conclusion, Lee had a message for the KBL: “The league seems to focus mainly on its affiliated youth clubs, making it tough for independent clubs to get involved. Kids notice this disparity. I hope the KBL can become more inclusive and expand its reach. That would be a positive change for everyone.”

[Reported by Min Jun-gu, MK Sports, from Myungji High School, Seoul]