20 Ways To Be A Great Basketball Player
Donald J. Asbridge, Ed.S., LEP, RSP
 

A RESOURCE FOR YOUTH (AND OTHER) BASKETBALL PLAYERS...
Included here are twenty ways to be a great basketball player.  In some ways they may seem too simple or obvious to even mention, but from a coach's point of view, if a player ever came along who displayed all twenty of these traits, the coach might fall over in shock!  It's true that natural talent is a big factor in basketball success, but not everyone is so gifted that all they have to do is "show up" and mindlessly score forty... in fact, those who score forty are usually those who understand and have perfected the twenty ways included here.

Great talent doesn't matter if a player is not motivated to use it.  Always give 100% effort, whether it's practice, a game, or just listening to your coach during time outs.

Never step on the court unless you're ready and willing to give 100%!

Great players give 200%!

Also, don't wait for someone else to have to "motivate you."  Learn to be self-motivated.  It doesn't matter if you're winning by 30 or losing by 30 -- your job as a basketball player is to give your very best every single second you're on the court.

Players who choose to sulk, pout, throw tantrums, scream at the referees, "talk trash," etc., obviously aren't playing basketball.  A positive attitude can take you far in the game, while a negative attitude will hold you and your team back.

The biggest reason to play basketball is because it's fun.  If basketball isn't fun for you, you need to find ways to make it fun.  Nobody else is responsible for your fun -- you can't blame your coach, parents, referees, fans, etc. if you aren't having fun.

By the time your career is over, you will have played for winning teams and losing teams;  stronger coaches and weaker coaches; you will have had great times and challenging times.  But what really matters is that you are out there playing because you love [every second of] the game and are having fun.

#4.  BE COACHABLE.

There are hundreds of strategies, plays, methods, and ways in basketball and no two coaches, teams, or leagues are ever the same.  You need to listen to, try to understand, and attempt to the very best of your abilities what the coach asks.

Try what the coach says... if it works, make it part of your game.  If it doesn't work, then at least you tried and were coachable.  A big part of improving  your game is not only learning what does work, but what doesn't work.  This is called "trial and error" learning.  Still, it is important to remember that a lot of things won't work the first time -- they have to be practiced over and over again to be perfected.

Basketball consists of rules, procedures, philosophies, strategies, history, human interactions, and much, much more!  The greater your understanding of the game, the better player you will be.

Learn as much as you can about the game by reading the rule book;  studying statistics, box scores, and standings;  watching games on television;  reading sports magazines and newspapers;  talking with others;  understanding basketball diagrams, attending grade school, junior high, high school, college, and professional games;  and of course, by playing!

#6.  IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL & PHYSICAL CONDITIONING.

Basketball players have to be in top physical shape to play.  Run, exercise, lift weights, jump, swim, etc.  You should start a daily exercise program -- not to lose weight, but to get into great shape.  Conditioning is a year-round process and is the responsibility of the athlete;  don't show up the first day of practice and expect the coach to "get you in shape."

Players also need to be mentally conditioned (learn to deal with pressure, display mental toughness, aggressiveness, and integrity on the court, become self-disciplined, etc.).

Some players are "natural born" leaders.  But another way to be a leader is by working hard to improve your game, gaining self-confidence, becoming one of the best players on the team, and ultimately leading by example (let your playing do the talking)!

Everyone is either a leader or a follower -- which will you choose?

#8.  PRACTICE!  PRACTICE!  PRACTICE!

There is no substitute for practice.  If you love the game you will play often.  You'll stay up 'till midnight shooting.  You'll carry a basketball around.  You'll practice passing, shooting, dribbling, rebounding, defense, and individual moves until you have them perfected, and then some.

It's like anything else -- to be good you have to practice.  To be great you have to practice a lot.

#9.  PLAY GAMES.

Play whenever you get the chance.  Play on your school team, in intramural games, in recreational leagues, in pickup games, at recess, at lunch, at summer camps, one-on-one with friends, in neighborhood games, AAU, NJBL, etc.!  Replay games in your mind.  Dream of games.  Play imaginary games.  Play "Knock-Out," "21," and "H-O-R-S-E."  Play "Around the World."  Play basketball board games.  Play computerized games.  Play against yourself.

There is no substitute for experience.

Proper nutrition is essential for everyone, but especially young athletes.  You need energy to run up and down the court for an hour at a time and energy  to make it through a two to four month season without wearing down.  You need energy to take it to the hoop with three defenders hanging on you.  You need energy late in the fourth quarter.  You need energy to help with chores around the house, which is also part of an athlete's responsibility.

Avoid junk foods!

Many resources exist which forward information related to nutrition for athletes.  Check the library or internet or ask your coach.

Remember, "you are what you eat!"

No long lecture here.  The simple truth is that those players who progress into and through junior high, high school, college, and pro ball don't do drugs. Those who do drugs fall aside along the way.

Basketball is a team sport.  Everything you do effects the team, therefore, everything you do should be in the best interests of the team.  Make your teammate look good, support him or her, work with your teammates, encourage them, be unselfish, and realize you need them in order to look good and play well... and they need you.

Speak highly of your team;  be proud to be a member of your team (whether you're 9-0 or 0-9).

Be a good sport.  When you win, be a polite and humble winner.  It is hard to lose, but when you lose, congratulate the other team for a job well done.  Thank the ref for his or her efforts.

The bottom line is that poor sports are jerks (sorry, I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true).

You play basketball and you go to school;  therefore, you play basketball and go to school.  But anybody can sign up for basketball and go to school!  The term "student-athlete" is much more than that.  Student-athletes are valuable and contributing members of their family, team, peers, school, and community.  Other students look to student-athletes for leadership.

It is an honor and a privilege to be a student-athlete;  it is a title which has to be earned through a lot of hard work over a long period of time.  Real student-athletes are often the future leaders of our country.

Strive to attain and keep a high grade point average (GPA), not only to maintain eligibility for sports as you progress through school, but to make yourself a complete person (healthy in body and healthy in mind).

Be respectful of the game, teammates, your coach, your equipment, league officials, referees, parents, family, your school, your league, your sponsors, your community, and your opponents.  Without them you wouldn't be playing basketball.  You owe them a lot more than they owe you.

An individual goal should be to work hard to gain the respect of others.

Nobody is larger than the game itself.  Even if you're the best player on the court, there is always somebody in the world who is a better player than you are.  But just because somebody is a better player doesn't necessarily mean they are a better person.

The nobility is not in being superior to others, but in being superior to what you were yesterday (author unknown).

Learn about and improve imagery and visualization, relaxation, leadership skills, self-motivation and self-discipline techniques, holding high expectations and optimism, memory, visual-spatial perception ("court awareness"), verbal communications and interpersonal dynamics, competition and cooperation, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, goal-setting, the effects of practice, postive self-talk, etc.

Techniques and thinking patterns such as these are used by the pros and can help you improve your game.

Set individual and team goals, both long-term and short-term.  For example, you might want to become a better free throw shooter so you practice an extra thirty minutes per day or so.  It might be the team's goal to improve rebounding, so they work on rebounding an extra thirty minutes per day.

Always strive to be a better player, person, student, and team member.

#18.  PLAY DEFENSE!!!  PLAY GREAT DEFENSE!!!

Not everybody can go out and score thirty points a game, but anybody can learn to be a great defensive player.  It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but keeping your opponent from scoring a basket is as important to the team as scoring a basket yourself.

Many coaches start their five best defensive players.

Great defense leads to great offense.

Championships are won with great defense.

No matter how you look at it, basketball consists mostly of the "fundamentals," a few of which are listed below. Learn and practice the fundamentals of the game to be a better basketball player.

Rate your skills by assigning a grade (A, B, C, D, or F) for each fundamental listed (and then keep working on each area until you receive a grade of "A" in each area)!

___ Passing
___ Catching
___ Shooting (Long-Range, Short-Range, Baseline, "Stop-and-Pop," etc.)
___ Layups (Left, Right, Reverse, Toss)
___ 3 Point Shooting
___ Free Throw Shooting
___ Free Throw Rebounding
___ Defensive Rebounding
___ Offensive Rebounding
___ Blocking Out
___ Jumping
___ Dribbling
___ Pivoting
___ Fakes
___ Man to Man Defense
___ Zone Defense
___ Pressure Defense
___ Defense Stance/Positioning
___ Individual Offensive Moves

___ Movement Without the Ball:

___ Movement to the Ball
___ Movement to the Open Area
___ Clearout
___ Corner Out
___ Flash
___ Slant Route
___ Posting (High/Low/Power)
___ Crossing/Switching
___ Pop Out
___ Screening/Rolling off the Ball
___ Screening/Rolling on the Ball
___ Backdoor Move
___ Go ("Give and Go")

___ Conditioning (Mental)
___ Conditioning (Physical)
___ Teamwork and Attitude
___ Academics
___ Effort and Motivation
___ Citizenship
___ Knowledge of Rules
___ Knowledge of Strategies
___ Knowledge of Basic Plays
___ Sportsmanship
___ Leadership

Basketball is a great game and it is obviously important to you if you've read this far!  But remember, if you lose a game it's not the end of the world.  If the referee makes a bad call, it's not the end of the world.  If you have to sit out a quarter, it's not the end of the world.

Basketball is an opportunity to have a lot of fun, participate with others, make friends, and improve yourself as a human being.

Enjoy, and make the most of your opportunity!

Good luck!

Coach A.