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Sports training facilities will sharpen your skills
By Jo-Ann Lamon Reccoppa
Athletes who want to reach the top of their game require special instruction and plenty of practice. Several area facilities focus on specific
 | | The Basketball Shooting Academy, Edison SCOTT PILLING staff |
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training to perfect skills in a variety of sports.
3-2 Count Athletics, 323A Fairfield Road, Howell, trains athletes at all ages and skill levels, from 8-14-yearolds to high school and college level - and anyone else who wants to improve their performance. Popular with area baseball athletes, the facility offers sports clinics that concentrate on several key areas players need to improve their game play - pitching, hitting, bunting, base running and stealing bases - as well as helpful tools such as video analysis (which shows players their actual performance as opposed to what they think they are doing) and Sports Motion Capture analysis for bat speed at impact, exit speed, pitch velocity, power transfer ratio, carry distance and bat efficiency.
"In addition to practice, these are the tools we use to increase performance," says Joanne Rosenberg, co-owner of 3-2 Count Athletics."The catch phrase we use here is 'train smarter, play better, and the better you play, the more confidence builds,' which is what our facility is all about."
 | | CHRIS KELLY staff The Bill Britton Golf School at Twin Brook Golf Center |
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3-2 Count also offers instruction in softball, soccer, golf and lacrosse, as well as team and birthday party packages and summer sports camps.Visit the Web site at www.32count.net for more information or call 732-409- 1132.
If you live for your time on the basketball court, The Basketball Shooting Academy, 76 Carter Drive, Edison, is the place to go to improve your game. Owned and operated by Mike Allocco, former pro and threetime All-American basketball player, the facility emphasizes offensive instruction, in addition to rebounding, dribbling, passing and defensive technique.There are 10 simulated half-court areas at the facility, where a player can shoot at a basket, have the ball rebounded by stateof the-art equipment, and have the ball automatically brought or passed back for your next shot.
 | | CHRIS KELLY staff 3-2 Count Athletics, Howell |
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The Basketball Shooting Academy offers clinics and miniclinic specials, in addition to private instruction and team court rentals with or without an instructor.You can opt for one-on-one instruction, bring a friend or two to split the cost and learn together, or opt for open-gym time - where pick-up games sharpen skills in a practical setting.
"We encourage all ages to make full use of the facility, and urge both parents and kids to participate," says Allocco.
The Basketball Shooting Academy also offers all sports, summer-long day camps that are parent-friendly, as well as speed and agility clinics and birthday party packages.To learn more, visit www.thebasketballshootingacademy. com or call 732-650-1224.
Golf enthusiasts can improve their game (or even learn the game) at The Bill Britton Golf School at Twin Brook Golf Center in Tinton Falls.A varied curriculum is offered at the school, including private lessons, lesson packages, private schooling, junior private schooling, adult group, family and short game school - or you can design a schooling program unique for your group. Headed by 15-year PGA Tour player Bill Britton, a full staff of PGA/LPGA-trained teachers instruct all ages and abilities at the school - from children just being introduced to the game, to the Golf for Women group school (taught by women in a friendly, nonintimidating atmosphere), to 94-year-olds.All are welcome at the school - from single-digit handicaps to beginners.
 | | Allentown High School's field hockey team plays a competitive game against Ewing High School. JEFF GRANIT staff |
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"We also use the latest digital video technology that allows us to compare students to the best players in the world, giving us the ability to diagnose swing flaws," says Pat Jordan, former Division I university head coach and now a popular instructor at The Bill Britton Golf School.
The Twin Brook Golf Center offers a grass teaching area, private short game area, a two-tier, all-weather heated driving range, a nine-hole par 3 golf course, 18-hole putting course and a 1,500-square-foot bent grass putting green.
 | | Manalapan High School's Billy Dokouslis (No. 90) tries to break away from a pair of Jackson Memorial High School defenders during a game in Jackson. CHRIS KELLY staff |
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For more information about The Bill Britton Golf School at Twin Brook Golf Center, visit www.billbrittongolfschool. com or call 732-922-1600.
 | | Manalapan's Caner Semen (r) and Howell's Paul Calafiore go up for a headball during a game at the Manalapan Recreation Center. JEFF GRANIT staff |
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 | | Players from Freehold Township High School's basketball team celebrate after defeating Christian Brothers Academy. RICH GRAESSLE |
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