In December, I attended an after Christmas Tournament. One of the reasons I wanted to attend this particular tournament was to evaluate a player again. I saw this player and her team play in early November.
During this second evaluation, I was able to see more of the player’s abilities that I was not able to see the first time watching.
I was also able to see the abilities of other players on the team that did not stand out the first time I saw them play.
When basketball season begins, no one is really at their best. Coaches are trying to implement their systems. Players are trying to learn the systems, their roles and get into better game shape.
Teams and players should get better as the season goes on. Which was the case with this team I was seeing for the second time.
A Bad Game
The first time I saw this player play. She was making shots. She played with high energy. She was smiling a lot and giving high fives.
This time her energy was extremely low. She missed a lot of her shots. She didn’t seem very engaged nor interested in playing basketball on this day.
She was having a really bad game.
If this was my first time watching this player, I would not have added her to my list of players to keep an eye on.
However, because I saw her play before, this type of a game wouldn’t completely make me take her off my list. I will call the coach to get an idea of what was going on.
Players are human and sometimes have bad games. I understand that.
How to Overcome a Bad Game
Your shots may not always fall. Your teammate may not always pass you the ball when you want it. You may not feel at your best for certain games.
When this happens, find a way to bring energy in a different way.
You can congratulate or give a high five to a teammate that is playing well.
You can get rebounds.
If you aren’t scoring points, make sure the person you are defending is not scoring any points either.
Get steals. Go after loose balls.
These are all ways to bring something to the game and get noticed by a college coach.
Activity
The next major timeframe college coaches will be out to watch high school basketball games will be for end of season tournaments and State Tournaments.
Review your team schedule for your end of season tournament dates.
Decide what area you want to be improved in before your end of the season tournament.
Work extra on the area you decide on.
Save The Dates – Updated
Evaluation Period April 19-21
Division 1 college coaches are allowed to evaluate Travel Teams
Recruiting Shut Down May 6-12
Division 1 college coaches cannot have any contact with players
Evaluation Period May 17-19
Division 1 college coaches are allowed to evaluate Travel Teams
Scholastic Evaluation Period June 13-15
Division 1 college coaches are allowed to evaluate High School Teams
Evaluation Period July 12-15 Added
Division 1 college coaches are allowed to evaluate Travel Teams
Evaluation Period July 19-22
Division 1 college coaches are allowed to evaluate Travel Teams
Evaluation Period July 26-29
Division 1 college coaches are allowed to evaluate Travel Teams and Individual players at the NCAA College Basketball Academy only
“People didn’t believe me when I told them I practiced harder than I played, but it was true. That’s where my comfort zone was created. By the time the game came, all I had to do was react to what my body was already accustomed to doing.” -Michael Jordan
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