Category Archives: Basketball

Creating Your Off Season Skills-To-Work-On List

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I know what you are thinking. It’s basketball season! Why are you talking about the Off Season?

As Skylar Diggins quotes LeBron James in the video, “Experience is the Best Teacher”. The season is the best time to discover what you need to work on during the off season.

Skylar’s WNBA rookie season was a learning experience for her. During that time, she discovered areas that she needed to work on (during the off season) in order to come back a better player for her second season. The work she put in paid off because she had an awesome second season and won the WNBA’s Most Improved Player award.

In the video, Skylar discusses the skills she worked on during the off season. Her Skills-To-Work-On List included getting stronger, finishing at the rim with both hands, and 3 point shooting.

If you can’t see the video, click here.

As you go through this season, keep up with your statistics, document what your coach is always nagging you about, and document difficulties that you have during games. Once the season has come to an end, review your season stats and notes to help you prepare your off season skill development plan.

Are You a Practice Player?

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In a recent article, UConn’s head womens basketball coach,  Geno Auriemma, shared some great advice and nuggets about practice.

Importance of Practice Time

“Kids need to understand that it’s here [practice] where you learn to be a good player. I don’t want to hear anymore of this crap about how some guys are game players, not good practice players.

The Proper Mindset

“Anyone who accomplishes great things does it because they want to,” he says. “Anyone who doesn’t, doesn’t because they also want to.”

Challenge Yourself

“You should strive to prove that you should start ahead of someone else or play more minutes than someone else. It’s about coming out every day and sustaining [performance].

Strive for Consistency

“If you go to practice for a week and you have two really good ones and five mediocre ones you are probably a mediocre player. If have five really good days and two bad ones, you are probably a really good player.

Work Ethic and Practice Habits

“I’ve never met anyone that was a great game player who didn’t have tremendous work ethic and practice habits. The challenge for everyone, at least those who come here, is learning how to practice with such consistency that you know you are going to perform consistently when you go into a game.”

 

 

How to Unleash Your Aggressiveness

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Jack Russell Terrier SnarlingThe only way to play basketball aggressively is to practice aggressively.

On offense, make up in your mind that the person guarding you is not going to stop you from getting the ball, getting by them, or getting your shot off.

On defense, make up in your mind that the person you’re guarding will not get the ball, get a rebound, get a loose ball or get their shot off.

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