From the Bench
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Idea:

Players--Do you get bored just shooting by yourself? Whenever possible, try to get a friend to play with, but if no one is around try the "Beat the Pro" game. You are in a competition with a pro player of your choice. Each basket you make is worth 1 point. Each time you miss, the pro gets 2 points. Start by playing the game to 10 points and with close range shots. As you improve and can beat the pro, increase your distance. If you're really good, raise the points the pro gets for your misses to 3. The game will make you concentrate on each shot and is certainly more fun than just shooting.

Thought:

You Can't take the idea of TEAM lightly

If you are more concerned with yourself (playing time, points, rebounds etc.) then you need to switch to a sport that is more individualistic such as golf, swimming, track… where you control your own destiny.

When you are in a true team sport, you have to rely on others. You have to rely on others to get you ready for a contest; you have to rely on others to win a contest. You have to understand that you win together as a team and that you lose together as a team.

Under the team concept, you improve through being pushed by your teammates (and of course by your coaches and yourself). Your teammates need to push you—this includes both mentally and physically. How can you get ready for a game in which your opponents are going to foul you, box you out hard, yell at you, scratch you, hit you both accidentally and on purpose, etc. if you don’t face these things on a nightly basis in practice?

The next time a teammate fouls you hard or boxes you so hard that you hit the floor, or accidentally trips you, don’t be mad at them, THANK THEM. Thank them for playing hard; thank them for getting you ready for the battle of a game. You should get more upset with a teammate that doesn’t box you out hard or that doesn’t throws an elbow once in awhile—because that teammate is not doing you or the team any good!!

Remember—we are all here for the same reason. Push each other, respect each other, and trust each other. As individuals, you are nothing, as Lady Ram’s teammates, you are a powerful force!

Thought:

I get asked all the time, "what can my son/daughter do to get better?" I, as do most coaches, have a simple answer to that type of question: PLAY! Of course just going out back or to the playground and throwing the ball at the basket isn't going to make you a great player. You need to practice correct fundamentals. If you are unsure what to do, get together with a coach or go to a camp to learn fundamentals--then practice them. Until you have developed the muscle memory so that you don't have to think about doing things correctly, you will have to concentrate on the fundamentals each and every time you play. Example: once you learn how to shoot, don't just go out and start shooting the way that you always have. You will have to think about elbow, eyes, follow-through, etc. every time. I see players all the time that I instructed at camps that still don't do the fundamentals the way I taught them. In order to get better, you must force yourself to focus on these fundamentals. If you truly want to get better, let me know and we will set up some one-on-one time.

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