Three Essentials For Making The Team
#1 Get In Great Shape ! – You can have a poor shooting day, but there is no excuse for running out of steam during tryouts. This is where the coach smells weakness and can easily tell who worked to get ready and who gets crossed off the list. Prepare by doing the following:
- Train anerobically- not aerobically. You are not trying out for
cross country, so save the elliptical machine, 3 mile run, and
jogging for after retirement. Sprint, sprint, sprint! While dribbling!
Whenever you are going to run, run with the ball. ALWAYS get in shape
while working on your skills!
- Jump rope – Heavy rope is preferred. Jump each invividual leg and
go hard! - Do wall sits – (See how long you can sit on the wall to strengthen
(your thighs) Why not do this while watching your favorite TV
show or talking on the phone???
- Run Stairs – You know where to find them!
#2 Work On Your Weak Hand ! – This is a must in order to get to the next level.
- Devote more than half of each workout leading up to tryouts to working on your weak hand. Eat with your weak hand. Brush your teeth with your weak hand. Carry your school bag with your weak hand. (You get the picture.)
- Make sure you can hit simple “finger-roll” lay-ups on both sides.
(No excuses!)
- Practice passing against a wall with your weak hand
- Dribble with 2 balls. You must pound the ball! (Use a 3lb heavy ball to
speed your results)
#3 Have A Great Attitude ! – This is everything, and these simple tips can get
you on the team:
- Get to practice EARLY and start sweating through your jersey before
tryouts even start. Your coach will notice, and your peers will notice. - TALK, TALK, TALK – Show leadership and passion! Being vocal and confident on the court takes no talent.
- HUSTLE – This also takes no talent. Skin grows back, so dive for the ball! Chase down the breakaway layup! And always always run on and off the court! Not getting back on defense and finishing at the back of the pack in speed drills is a sure way to get cut.
- SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE YOUR TEAMMATES – Make sure your teammates hear it when they do something well, and If someone messes up, pick them up and keep them going.
- ALWAYS BE POSITIVE. Good attitude is contagious, and NEVER forget that!
- STAY AFTER and work on the skills you were not happy with during your practice/tryout. Be the last one to leave practice!
If you take care of business in these three areas, most of the battle is won for making an immediate positive impression on your coaching staff and teammates and making your team. Perception is reality, and people must perceive you as a leader and confident individual in ANYTHING you do in life. Good luck!
Your Basketball Home
Brian M. Huber
Founder & Head Basketball Trainer
Fundamental Sports Training Inc.
516-384-0216
"Our Passion Is Your Potential"
