The French National Basketball Team has achieved impressive results over the decades. What are the core principles of France's youth basketball development program that have contributed to this sustained success?
I believe this success is rooted in France's natural assets. We are a country with a rich diversity of cultures and people from many different backgrounds. This diversity has brought unique strengths to French sports, providing us with a range of natural athletic abilities.
In addition, French clubs have greatly improved over the last ten years. The structures and resources available are much better now. Ten years ago, few professional teams had full-time strength and conditioning coaches. Today, almost every team invests in this area, giving young players a strong foundation to perform at high levels of intensity.
When is the right time to start developing essential motor abilities like coordination, strength, speed, and explosiveness in young players, and how can this be balanced with their busy schedules?
According to scientific research, the optimal time to develop each ability depends on age and proximity to peak growth phases. This topic could be discussed for hours! To keep things simpler, each of these qualities, including strength, can be safely developed at any age. Of course, this doesn't mean putting a 100 kg barbell on a child. For example, you can stimulate strength in a 10-year-old with simple exercises like planks or bodyweight squats. For me, the most important thing is to respect childhood. Between ages 8 to 14, children should develop general motor skills rather than specializing.
Playing different sports is an excellent way to enhance all the abilities needed for high-level basketball. For example, gymnastics helps with jumping, core stability, and balance; soccer improves change of direction and aerobic conditioning; and track and field builds foundational running, jumping, and throwing skills. There are many examples like this.
I believe it’s essential to prioritize general activities over specialized basketball training or physical development until they are at least 14 years old.
Victor Wembanyama is renowned for his exceptional coordination, especially given his height. Could you share any training methods that have been crucial in developing his unique abilities?
This question ties perfectly with my previous answer! Wembanyama has a background in various sports—he has played soccer, tennis, and swam—all of which helped him develop his versatility on the court. His development wasn’t about specific basketball training but rather a holistic approach to growth. I believe his body is a reflection of who he is as a person: adaptable, flexible, strong, curious, and open-minded. He’s not restricted in any way, and that’s why he doesn’t have limitations on the court.
Basketball demands can be intense. How much time off from the sport would you recommend to young players each year to ensure adequate recovery and prevent burnout?
Basketball often leads to overuse injuries, perhaps more than many other sports. I recommend at least one day off per week, a week off every two months, and a total of four weeks off during the summer (this could be taken as two two-week breaks).
How do you see the field of strength and conditioning evolving for young athletes over the next 10 years? What trends or innovations do you anticipate?
I am concerned. We’re adopting top-level athlete models for youth, which I believe is a mistake. Young players might be using treatments like cryotherapy, but are they learning essential skills like healthy eating or quality sleep? It’s almost a joke. An approach better suited to youth should emphasize long-term development rather than just focusing on winning the next game. Accurately assessing young players and planning for their future growth are essential. We need strength and conditioning coaches who specialize in youth development and understand how to design programs that suit younger athletes, rather than applying models meant for adults. Key values should be patience, open-mindedness, creativity, and adaptability when working with young athletes.
European teams have become increasingly competitive with the U.S. in recent years. Do you believe this is due to differences in youth development programs, and what unique aspects of European training contribute to this success?
I don't believe it's entirely about the youth programs. The U.S. has excellent development programs, and the American players who come to Europe are skilled athletes with high levels of talent. I think the key difference is in how players learn the game. In Europe, players are exposed to toughness and structured, tactical play from ages 15 to 16. Take players like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic, for example—they are phenomenal basketball players but not necessarily up to U.S. physical standards. They are educated in a different style of play, and we’ve reached a point where we can develop excellent young players into top-level athletes. The way we play in Europe now can really be an advantage in opposition with the U.S. game model.
What key support structures or training adjustments are essential to help young athletes transition smoothly to the professional level?
Load management is critical; athletes need to train hard but smartly. A professional career is a marathon, and if you wear down your body before age 22, it will become a disadvantage. Mental resilience is also a key factor but often the least trained aspect. I am a big believer in the role of psychology and mental coaching in athlete development. People say, "The mental game makes the difference," yet we spend most of our time on the court or in the gym, not with a psychologist or mental coach. This is a mistake. While perhaps 30% of players may not need mental coaching, the remaining 70% do. High-level sports are full of challenges: stress, competition, ego, frustration, injury, disappointment... And athletes face all of this from a young age.
