Emanuil Ketenliev: Children, enjoy the game of basketball

28.07.2025 How would you summarize the past season of the BC Balkan men's team? What were the biggest challenges in terms of fitness?   - We played in the Cup final, finished second in the regular season and ultimately won the bronze medals. Of course, the goal is always first place and I would like to win everything, but this remains our ambition for next season. In terms of fitness, the main challenge was the late attraction of key players, who often arrive in poor physical shape, and sometimes with chronic injuries. This seriously complicates the training process and increases the risk of injuries, especially if a high pace of play is required, which corresponds to our style and ambitions. But the truth is that this is a common problem for teams at our level. The market is like that – we accept reality and work within the limits of what is possible. This year we will do better in every respect.   In the last and decisive matches we saw young players from the academy who got a chance to get involved – what is your opinion on their readiness, both physically and mentally?   - They got their chance and were ready for it – physically and mentally. They worked hard and purposefully throughout the year and showed their enormous growth. I hope they continue to work hard, learn and develop. They have the example of Pishchikov,who is 20 years old, is local and this year played a major role in the team and made his debut for the national team. Also Kosyo Toshkov, who is 22 years old, has an exceptional work ethic, earned a major role in the team and is an indispensable part of the national team. Gerganov is 21 and he played an important role for our team, especially at the end of the season, and is already in the extended squad of the national team. We are proud of these guys and I hope even younger ones will follow their example.   What did these matches show about the level of preparation of the juniors and their potential to move on to men's basketball?   -They showed that they are working in the right direction. There is potential, but the next step is the most difficult – to establish themselves permanently in the rotation of the men's team. What are your priorities when working with the teenagers from the Balkan School? - The focus is on long-term athletic development and the building and improvement of fundamental motor habits and skills.   Are there universal habits that you strive to build in every young athlete?   -Yes – respect for the process and coaches, work ethic, self-discipline and attention to detail.   You were also part of the Bulgarian national youth teams for several summers – where do you think we are lagging the most and how can we catch up with the leading nations in Europe?   - We are lagging behind in the selection and structure of the training process in the early stages. What is needed are well-trained coaches (and there are, and I'm sure there will be more) and consistent programs. I hope that with the help of Pini Gershon, this will improve noticeably.   What skills are mandatory for a young player if he wants to have a future in professional basketball?   - Basketball is one of the most complex sports in which the final result depends on many factors. One of the best things about basketball is the fact that different players with different combinations of qualities can be equally effective. However, this does not mean that you can afford to ignore any of the basic motor qualities. Take Nikola Jokic for example - he is not only smart and strong, but also durable and fast enough for his height so that this does not create a huge weakness in his game. Players at the highest level are durable, fast, explosive, strong and have excellent motor habits.   What difficulties do you most often notice in preparing children – physical, psychological or related to discipline and perseverance?   - Most often – incorrect motivation, lack of patience and consistency.   How do you deal with the motivation and attention of today's children, especially in the age of digital distractions?   - I believe that motivation is built when there is clarity and meaning behind each action. That is why I always try to explain why we do a given exercise, what it develops and how it is transferred to the game. Children feel when they are approached honestly and fairly, and this creates trust in them. It is very important for me that they are in the gym of their own free will, not of obligation. In Botevgrad we also have one huge advantage - in the summer the children train in an environment where they can directly observe elite competitors such as Alexander Vezenkov, Pishchikov, Grozev, Gerganov. I use these examples consciously – when they find out that Vezenkov is at the stadium at 7 in the morning, they themselves begin to realize that the path to success goes through a lot of work. Thisinspiring far more than any words.      What should be the focus of fitness training for different age groups? - In early age groups – children and adolescents – the priority should be the development of fundamental motor skills: coordination, balance, rhythm, spatial orientation and general motor culture. Creativity should be encouraged through games. In adolescence, targeted development of basic physical qualities begins – strength, speed, endurance, mobility – but always on a solid foundation of good movement technique. In men, especially at the professional level, fitness training is now becoming strictly individualized – based on profiling, monitoring and load management. There it is no longer simply about “more strength or speed”, but about efficiency, prevention and maintaining optimal shape during a long and intense competition season. How do you achieve a balance between developing athleticism and at the same time not overloading growing organisms? - Through individual dosing, consistency, monitoring and prioritizing quality of performance over quantity. How was the spring edition of the camp with Sasha Grujic and what was your role in it? - The camp was excellently organized. My role was related to physical training – I prepared different exercises for the children according to their gender, age and current level and condition. It was tiring for me, but also very interesting. What observations do you have about the participants of different ages and clubs? What impressed you the most? - The differences in basic training, but also everyone's desire to improve. The camp is intense and the children, who are well prepared physically and are focused, manage to master and improve many new skills. The camp in August will be held in two shifts – what will be different this year? - I will not be attending the camp because I am involved with the men's national team, but I know that the campaign will be even more in-depth and will again be at a very high level. How did you structure the program according to age groups – is there a special approach to the youngest and oldest participants? -Yes – again there will be an individualized methodology according to the needs of the age group. What does working with adolescents bring to you and how does it differ from training men? -With adolescents you build a personality, not just an athlete. This is a mission. What would you advise young athletes and their parents – both in terms of sports and in life? - The most important thing I would say is to be patient and to value the process itself, not just the result. To the children – I want to remind them to enjoy the game, to never stop playing, to try, to fall and to get up with a smile. It is the game that is the basis of everything – of the love of sports, of creativity and of sustainable development. And to the parents – I would appeal to them to be the best version of a “parent” they can be. Not coaches. Not friends. And parents - supportive, patient, understanding, with trust in the process and in the people who work with their sons and daughters.