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

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.

P-15 Workout: November 16, 2014

The P-15 Workout is an opportunity to get an extra 15 minutes of individual practice in before or after team practice. You decide if you want to do the workout everyday this week or come up with your own schedule.

This Week’s P-15 Workout: Quick Release Shooting. Make 2 shots at 5 different locations on the court (in your shooting range) for a total of 10 made shots. First round of 10 made shots use the pound-pound dribbling combination Skylar Diggins describes in the video. Second round use the cross-cross dribbling combination. Third round use one of the following combinations:  between-the-leg | between-the-leg, between-the-leg | cross, between-the-leg | behind-the-back or behind-the-back | behind-the-back. Shoot free throws if you have any time left over.

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

Social Media Hashtag: #P15

I would love for you to leave me your comments about this workout below.

Are You a Practice Player?

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.”