Inside the McGarrigle Basketball Lab
Where young athletes learn to think the game, love the work, and lead on and off the court.
There’s a moment in almost every season when a player lingers after practice.
The lights are still bright, the gym is quiet, and everyone else is pulling off their shoes or scrolling their phones. One athlete stays. One more rep with their weak hand. One more shot from the spot they missed in the last game.
That’s the moment Ticares about most.
Because to Tim, basketball is less about what happens when the stands are full and more about what happens in that quiet space: the choice to stay, to listen, to adjust, to try again. That’s where confidence is built. That’s where character is tested. That’s where the McGarrigle Basketball Lab really lives.
Not just coaching. Teaching.
Tim doesn’t see himself as a “skills trainer” who runs kids through a playlist of flashy drills.
He sees himself as a teacher.
That means slowing the game down so athletes truly understand why they’re doing something, not just how. It means asking questions instead of barking orders. It means helping players see the game two plays ahead, not just reacting to the ball in front of them.
Why did that turnover happen?
What did your feet do before the shot?
Where was the help defender looking when you drove?
In the Lab, athletes are constantly connecting dots: decisions, spacing, body angles, timing, composure. It’s a place where curiosity is just as important as competitiveness.
“If a player understands the why, they don’t just remember a drill,
they can adjust in real time when the game gets messy.”
The Lab mindset: Experiment, refine, repeat
The “Lab” part of McGarrigle Basketball Labs isn’t a gimmick. It’s a mindset.
Scientists don’t guess. They test. They measure. They adjust. They return to the work with clearer understanding.
Tim brings the same approach to the gym:
Break the game into pieces:
Footwork. Reads. Pace changes. Angles. Contact. Spacing. Each receives focused attention.
Test under pressure:
Once the skill is built, it gets challenged in game-like situations — decision-making, defenders, fatigue.
Refine the details:
Hand placement. Foot positioning. Eye level. Breathing. Micro-adjustments that change outcomes.
Build habits through repetition:
Not endless, mindless reps, but intelligent repetition with feedback and purpose.
The goal is simple:
when the game speeds up, the athlete’s habits hold, their decisions stay clear, and their confidence stays steady.
What Tim values more than the scoreboard
McGarrigle Basketball Labs is competitive. Athletes are expected to work hard. But Tim measures success in more than points and wins.
He pays attention to things like:
Do they show up on time, ready to work?
Do they make the people around them better?
Can they bounce back after a bad quarter?
Are they coachable when emotions run high?
Do they listen with their eyes, not just their ears?
Parents often see it at home first: how their kids handle a tough test, respond to a sibling, or talk about teammates after a rough game.
For Tim, basketball is a training ground for life. The same discipline it takes to run the floor in the fourth quarter is the discipline it takes to handle exams, jobs, and relationships later on.
Standards, not shortcuts
In a world obsessed with quick results, highlight reels and stats, Tim’s approach is different.
Tim doesn’t promise instant results. He promises standards.
Effort is non-negotiable.
Athletes control their focus, their hustle, and their body language every single session.
Details matter.
If the feet are wrong, the shot is wrong. If the eyes are wrong, the read is wrong. The foundation gets fixed before the finish.
Honesty over hype.
Athletes get clear, direct feedback. Always respectful, never sugar-coated.
Respect is the baseline.
For teammates, opponents, referees — and for yourself. How you treat people is part of how you play.
These standards don’t disappear when the session ends. They’re meant to travel with the athlete, into school, into friendships, into every team they play for.
What athletes can expect in the Lab
Whether an athlete joins an elite small-group program or a larger development session, the experience has a few things in common.
A clear plan, not random drills
Every session fits into a larger progression. Athletes know what they’re working on, how it connects to their role, and where it leads next.
Individual attention inside a team environment
Tim sees the whole player, strengths, gaps, confidence level, learning style. Even in group settings, athletes are seen, not just counted.
Real-game context
Drills always return to live situations: reading defenders, handling pressure, making the extra pass, and making decisions that show up on game day.
Space to fail and grow
Mistakes aren’t punished. They’re studied. The Lab is a place where athletes can stretch, struggle, and grow without fear of being benched or embarrassed.
Joy in the work
High standards don’t mean joyless grind. Laughter, competition, and small wins matter. When athletes enjoy the process, they stay with it longer — and that’s when real development happens.
For coaches
The McGarrigle Basketball Lab isn’t meant to be its own universe. It’s designed to support the wider basketball community.
Athletes who train with Tim are encouraged to:
Respect their school and club coaches.
Bring better habits back to their teams.
Communicate more clearly on the floor.
Embrace their role, not just chase stats.
The Lab is designed to complement team systems, not compete with them. When an athlete becomes more responsible, more resilient and more coachable, everyone benefits.
For athletes
If you’re an athlete thinking about joining the McGarrigle Basketball Lab, here’s the honest pitch:
This isn’t about being “chosen.” It’s about choosing yourself.
Choosing to show up when it’s hard.
Choosing to focus on the parts of your game you usually avoid.
Choosing to listen, to think, to lead.
Tim will meet you there with everything he has: experience, patience, high expectations and genuine belief in what you can become.
The Lab is where talent is welcomed — and work is respected.
If you’re ready for that, you’re ready for McGarrigle Basketball Labs.
Pick A Lane:
Choose the lab that fits where your athlete is right now. Six weeks. Small groups. Game-speed reps. Real defense. These sessions are built for committed athletes already competing on school or club teams, not for beginners.
ELITE ATHLETE PROGRAM
Female athletes ages 13-15.
SOLD OUT
You want hands-on coaching and rapid improvement. Semi-private, 6-week lab with Coach Tim, includes 1:1 evaluations.
VARSITY PREP PROGRAM
Male athletes ages 13-15.
12 SPOTS ONLY
You want a plan, confidence, and real game experience. 6-week varsity prep lab with Coach Tim to sharpen shooting, footwork, and decision-making.
WHEN: FRIDAYS
JANUARY 9TH - FEBRUARY 13TH
TIME: 9:00PM - 10:30PM (90MIN)
( 9 hours of on-court work)
VARSITY PREP PROGRAM
Female athletes ages 13-15.
SOLD OUT
A space where girls are pushed and supported. 6-week varsity prep lab with Coach Tim to sharpen shooting, footwork, and decision-making.
Coaches Corner:
Bring Elite Coaching Directly to Your Gym
A rare chance for coaches to bring four decades of university, pro, and national team experience into your practice. Perfect for new coaches looking for guidance, and for seasoned coaches who want to unlock more from their team.
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A veteran coach diagnoses spacing, effort, communication gaps, and habits that young teams struggle with, things that can take months to identify on your own.
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Tim works within your plays or helps you develop new ones, your defence, your personnel. He strengthens what you're already building.
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Whether it’s your first season or your tenth, Tim gives live guidance you can carry forward, turning three sessions into a season-long learning boost.
Basketball gets better when it’s shared. If you know an athlete, parent, or coach who’d value great reps and great coaching, send them this page. And if you want to stay in the loop on new labs, pop-up sessions, and openings, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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