HSBP/The Blog

Meet HSBP Trainer Todd Decker

Every session in the HSBP Training Hub is taught by a real coach on a real court. One of them is Todd Decker, and his résumé explains why the drills look the way they do.

Coach Decker has spent his career in New Jersey high school basketball, one of the toughest places in the country to win. He’s won state titles as a head coach at two different schools, coached a national prep team against the best programs in America, and sent most of the players on that team to college on scholarship. Here’s who he is, what he teaches, and how to get the most out of his sessions.

  • Todd Decker is a two-time New Jersey state champion head coach with stops at Saint Peter’s Prep, The Patrick School and Roselle Catholic.
  • His national team at The Patrick School went 66-16 against the top prep programs in the country, with 90 percent of players earning college scholarships.
  • His Training Hub sessions focus on the four things every player needs at any level: ball handling, shooting, footwork and basketball IQ.
  • College coaches recruit the same fundamentals Decker drills, so building those habits on film is one of the best things a player can do for their recruiting profile.
  • Players who want to improve their game can pair his sessions with resources on building a training plan and developing basketball IQ found elsewhere on the portal.

Who he is

Todd Decker has coached high school basketball in New Jersey for 20 years. He’s won state titles as a head coach at Saint Peter’s Prep and Roselle Catholic, and he’s been named the next head boys basketball coach at Plainfield High School for the 2026-27 season.

His path runs through some of the best-known programs in the state. He started at Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City as associate head coach, took over as head coach, and won back-to-back state titles. He spent seven years at The Patrick School, first as an assistant on teams that won the Tournament of Champions, then as head coach of the school’s national team. Most recently he led Roselle Catholic to a state title and a county title in three seasons.

The record

  • Roselle Catholic, head coach (2023-2026): 2025 NJSIAA Non-Public B state champions, 24-6, and Coach of the Year. 2026 Union County champions.
  • The Patrick School National Team, head coach (2018-2021): 66-16 against the top prep teams in the country, with 90% of players going on to college scholarships.
  • The Patrick School, assistant coach (2014-2018): 2017 Tournament of Champions winners, ranked #1 in New Jersey and #12 in the country, with Union County titles in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
  • Saint Peter’s Prep (2006-2014): Four straight Hudson County titles as associate head coach, then Parochial A North state champions in 2013 and 2014 as head coach.
  • Grassroots: Coached the 2018 NJ Playaz 17U team on Nike’s EYBL circuit, which qualified for Peach Jam, and coached Adidas Nations Team Africa in 2016.

He played the game first

Before he coached, Decker was a point guard. He was Area Player of the Year at Wayne Valley High School and won a Group 3 sectional title there in 1997. In college he ran the point for The College of New Jersey’s 1998 NJAC championship team.

That background shows up in how he teaches. Point guards learn early that the game is about reading what’s in front of you and making the right play fast. It’s the same thing he asks of players now, whatever position they play.

What he teaches

Coach Decker’s goal is simple: teach the game the right way, develop players on and off the court, and build a winning culture. His training covers the four things every player needs no matter the level: ball handling, shooting, footwork and basketball IQ.

His sessions are built on the basics that hold up in real games: footwork, finishing through contact, reading the defense and making a decision in about a second. No fancy cone routines. One read, one counter, done at game speed.

The mental side matters to him as much as the physical side. He talks about a championship mindset and the confidence that comes from doing the simple things right over and over until they hold up under pressure. That’s what the teams on his record had in common.

Why fundamentals win recruiting, too

College coaches watch film for the same things Decker drills. Can a player change direction without losing the ball? Can they finish when someone’s on their hip? Do they see the open man before the help defender gets there? Flashy moves get views. Sound footwork and good decisions get offers.

That’s why the Training Hub starts with fundamentals. If you’re building a recruiting profile, the best thing you can add to your film is the habit of making the right play every time. See what college coaches look for in recruits so you know exactly which habits to show on film.

Where to start

  • The Spin-Off Counter: what to do when the defender cuts you off. Instead of forcing the drive, you use the defender’s position against them and get back to your spot.
  • Shoulder to the Pad: attack angles for finishing through contact. How to get your shoulder into the defender and protect the ball on the way to the rim.
  • The One-Second Rule: the reads you make on the catch. Shoot, drive or pass, decided before the defense recovers.

Watch them all in the Training Hub.

How to get the most out of each session

Watching a drill isn’t the same as owning it. A simple routine works for most players:

  • Watch it once all the way through. Focus on the footwork, not just the finish.
  • Rep it at half speed. Get the steps right before you add speed.
  • Take it to game speed. Add a defender, a teammate or a coach when you can.
  • Film yourself. Compare your footwork to the session. The difference is usually obvious.
  • Use it in a game. A move you only do in the gym alone isn’t part of your game yet.

When you’ve got good clips of yourself using it in games, add them to your player profile so coaches can see it too. If you need help putting those clips together, the guide on building a basketball highlight video walks you through the whole process.

Outside the Training Hub

Coach Decker also runs TD Hoops in northern New Jersey, with AAU teams, skills clinics, a summer camp, and private and virtual training for younger players in 3rd through 9th grade. You can follow him on Instagram at @coach.decker.basketball.

More trainers coming

Coach Decker is one of the trainers in the Training Hub, and we’re adding more coaches who teach the game the right way. If you’re a coach or trainer and want your sessions in the Training Hub, get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Todd Decker and why is he a trainer in the HSBP Training Hub?

Todd Decker is a New Jersey high school basketball coach with 20 years of experience and state championships at two different schools. His record of developing players who go on to earn college scholarships makes him a strong fit for the Training Hub, where the goal is to teach the game the right way and help players get recruited.

What skills does Coach Decker focus on in his Training Hub sessions?

His sessions focus on ball handling, shooting, footwork and basketball IQ. The drills are built around real-game situations: finishing through contact, reading the defense and making decisions quickly, all done at game speed rather than in isolated cone-drill environments.

How can a high school player get the most out of a Training Hub session?

Watch the session all the way through first, then rep the move at half speed until the footwork is clean, then work up to game speed with a defender or teammate. Film yourself to compare your mechanics to the session, and work the move into actual games so it becomes a real part of your game and not just a gym habit.

Does the Training Hub help with basketball recruiting?

Yes, indirectly but meaningfully. College coaches evaluate film for the same fundamentals Decker teaches: clean footwork, finishing through contact and good decision-making. Building those habits and getting them on film is one of the most effective things a player can do to improve their recruiting profile.

How do I access Coach Decker’s sessions in the Training Hub?

You can find all of his sessions inside the HSBP Training Hub at the training page on this site. Players who have created a profile can log in and access the sessions directly. If you have not registered yet, visit the join page to get started.

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