Manning Basketball Training logo Manning BasketballTraining · Grades 4–12
Coaches Sean and Connor Manning holding basketballs on the court at St. James Church Gym

South Grafton, Massachusetts

Develop game IQ. Build confidence.

Small-group basketball training for grades 4–12, built around game-like challenges and a constraint-led approach that helps players make better decisions on the court.

Book a Session View Training Options

Training at St. James Church Gym, South Grafton, MA

Grades 4–12 · Small Groups · Confidence & Game IQ · First Session Free

Our Approach

What is CLA training, and why we use it

CLA stands for constraint-led approach. Instead of having athletes repeat the same movement with no decisions to make, we build game-like situations that challenge them to see, react, and choose — adjusting things like space, time, defenders, or the goal of a drill. We coach this way because basketball is played in decisions, not repetitions: a move that only works around a cone doesn't help on Friday night. CLA closes that gap, so every rep also builds confidence and game IQ, not just skill.

Traditional Drill

Cone-to-cone crossover

A player repeats the same predetermined crossover around a cone, in the same spot, with no defender and no decision to make.

CLA-Based Drill

Read, react, finish

A player has to read a live defender, choose a direction, change pace, protect the ball, and finish or pass based on what the defense gives them.

Training & Pricing

Groups, schedule & pricing

Athletes train in one of three small groups, loosely grouped by grade — we make exceptions based on skill level and experience.

Weekly Schedule

Two sessions a week, every Tuesday and Friday, at St. James Church Gym in South Grafton. Each session runs 60 minutes.

GroupGradesDaysTime
Group 1Grades 4–6Tue & Fri5:00–6:00 PM
Group 2Grades 7–8Tue & Fri6:00–7:00 PM
Group 3Grades 9–12Tue & Fri7:00–8:00 PM

Pricing

OptionPriceDetails
First Session Start Here Free No cost, no obligation — the best way to try a session
Drop-In $35/session Pay as you go, one session at a time
4-Session Package Best Value $100/ 4 sessions $25 per session — must be used within 6 weeks of purchase

Please confirm attendance before each session. Reserve your spot using the form below, or reach out directly by email, text, or social media — online scheduling & payment is on the way.

About Us

Coached by brothers who've played at the next level

We're Connor and Sean Manning, brothers from Grafton, Massachusetts, former college basketball players, and the coaches behind Manning Basketball Training.

Sean Manning shooting a jump shot

Sean Manning

Co-Founder & Coach

2xNJCAA All-Region
10QCC record, 3PT makes in a game

Played at Grafton High School before continuing his career at Quinsigamond Community College and Dean College. Named an NJCAA All-Region player twice and holds QCC's record for most three-point makes in a single game.

Connor Manning dribbling the ball during a game

Connor Manning

Co-Founder & Coach

56.4%3PT, best in NJCAA (2nd season)

Played at Grafton High School before continuing his career at Quinsigamond Community College and Elms College. Finished his second season with the best three-point percentage in the NJCAA.

After playing at Grafton High School, we both continued our basketball careers at Quinsigamond Community College as part of a successful QCC program, before Connor continued at Elms College and Sean at Dean College.

Today, we provide small-group basketball training for athletes in grades 4–12 at St. James Church Gym in South Grafton. Through a constraint-led approach, we help players build confidence, sharpen their skills, and improve their ability to read, react, and make decisions in real game situations.

What Parents Say

Families in the gym with us

A couple of notes from parents whose athletes have been training with Sean and Connor.

“

My son has been working out with Sean and Connor for the past three years, and the consistent improvement has been through the roof. As a smaller 12-year-old, it can be really challenging going up against bigger and stronger players, but they have taught him how to use his size and speed as an advantage.

He's now become really effective at driving and scoring against kids who are almost a foot taller, using his physicality with the dribble and on his drives. The brothers have also had him relentlessly working on his left hand, which has gone from a weakness to a real asset in his game.

The workouts are tough—he sweats like crazy—but they're also something he genuinely looks forward to every week. That says a lot about the way Sean and Connor train and connect with their players. We'll be working with the Mannings as much as possible for many years to come. We couldn't be happier with the development, confidence, and love for the game they've helped build in our son.

3+Years Mark Adamo
“

Sean and Connor have been working with my 7th grader for 3 seasons now, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Their small-group sessions focus on controlled skill work that improved my son's offensive game, confidence, and quick decision-making on the court. Highly recommended!

3Seasons Cris West

FAQ

Questions parents ask us

What grades do you train?+

We train athletes in grades 4–12, grouped into grades 4–6, 7–8, and 9–12, with some flexibility depending on a player's skill level.

Where are sessions held?+

All sessions take place at St. James Church Gym in South Grafton, Massachusetts.

How long is each session, and how many players are in a group?+

Sessions run 60 minutes and are kept small-group by design, so every athlete gets meaningful coaching attention and reps.

How does the constraint-led approach work?+

Instead of repeating the same move with no decisions to make, we build game-like situations — adjusting space, time, defenders, or the goal of a drill — so players learn to read, react, and choose, the way they'll actually need to in a game.

What should my athlete bring?+

A basketball, water, athletic shoes, comfortable athletic clothing, and any medical equipment they may need.

Do players need prior organized basketball experience?+

No. We coach a range of experience levels within each grade group and adjust instruction to where each athlete is.

How do I register or request a spot?+

Use the contact form below, email us, or call/text — we'll follow up to confirm grade group, availability, and get your athlete scheduled.

Can siblings or teammates train together?+

Yes — let us know in the form and we'll do our best to place them in the same group.

What is your pricing?+

Your athlete's first session is free. After that, drop-in sessions are $35 each, and a 4-session package is $100 ($25/session, must be used within 6 weeks).

Book / Contact

Book Your Session

Fill out the form and we'll follow up to confirm a grade group and get your athlete scheduled. Prefer to talk first? Call, text, or email us directly.

Reach Us Directly

508-566-0966Call or text ManningBasketballTraining@gmail.comEmail St. James Church GymSouth Grafton, MA · Get directions

Follow Along

Good to Know

Policies

A few basics before your first session.

Weather & Cancellations

Sessions run rain or shine since we train indoors at St. James Church Gym. If a session is ever cancelled, we'll reach out directly by text or email to reschedule.

What to Bring

A basketball, water, athletic shoes, comfortable clothing, and any medical equipment your athlete needs.

Waiver & Participation Agreement

All athletes are required to have a signed waiver/participation agreement on file before their first session, covering the normal physical risks of athletic training.

Photo & Video Release

We only use photos or video of athletes in our marketing (site, Instagram, Facebook) with a parent or guardian's written permission.