Skills You Are Responsible For

As a player, there is a level of personal responsibility in your game even from a young age. Coaches will help prepare you, teach you new things, and point out areas for growth. Parents may provide guidance and encouragement, rebounding, or feedback of your strengths and weaknesses. But it is you who is responsible to do the work.

So what does a responsible player chasing growth look like? Here are some concrete skills to focus on and intangibles that will keep you going along the journey…

-Ball Handling - Pound dribble hard to work on ball control and strength/feel for the ball. Work on two balls eyes up; combo cross moves; footwork in your dribble moves; extra work with weak hand.
-Shooting - Form shoot often (at a goal or even just in the air). Work on your jump shot and count makes and misses. Great shooters shoot all the time, there is no shortcut here. Add a finishing routine to your shooting including Mikan drill or high reps of finishing options around the rim you are adding to your game.
-Passing - work on being able to throw different types of passes from both sides of your body; Use a wall or a partner. Watch basketball to learn decision making with the ball from college and pro players.
-Say what and when - Set a schedule and stick to it. Tell someone else so you are held more accountable. Be willing to do the work when you don’t feel like doing it.
-Measure - Write down what you are doing and find a way to measure each skill. This will show growth as well as help you stay accountable if you get off track.
-Write your basketball dreams somewhere you will see it daily.

If you don’t want to be a good player, don’t worry about committing to the above advice. But if your dreams are big, understand these fundamental skills are up to you and the best person to motivate you to work on building them consistently is yourself! If you are serious about it, don’t put a coach or parent in charge of driving this. Get started and good luck!

​#getbetter