Basketball: Getting Over the Hump

over the hump

Past the worst, most difficult, or most stressful part (of something); more than halfway done (with something).I know this project has been trying, but we're finally over the hump. Everything should go smoothly now.

I actually think Thursday is the easiest day of the week to get through—you're over the hump, but you're not counting down the minutes until the weekend. - From The Free Dictionary

Most often, we have no idea where the 'hump' is. During medical training there's an expression, "they can always hurt you more." 

Sometimes during our basketball journey, we see the hump, in retrospect. 

In 1973, we had just lost a home game by two in overtime to Lexington, the defending State Champions. Turnovers against pressure sank us. Coach blasted us for 45 minutes post-game, explaining how the better team lost. He said that we didn't believe in ourselves because we had never won a "big game." He told us we would never lose to them again. We lost one more game by one, to a team that went 20-0. But then we reeled off thirteen games in a row, including Lexington twice, before losing by three in the state semis. 

A tongue-lashing about confidence and belief...and a lot of advantage-disadvantage 5 versus 7 full court pressure got us over the hump. 

What does your team need to get over the hump? 

• Developing a three-point shooting game (makes not takes) 
• Making pressure free throws
• Ball containment
• Improving shot selection
• Breaking the press
• Cutting more urgently
• Taking care of the ball
• Reducing fouling
• Executing in offensive or defensive delay
• Taking away transition baskets
• Having the will to play harder for longer
• Working harder on off-season skill and conditioning 

It's seldom one issue. Even when we have a good idea, solutions don't come easily. 

Lagniappe. Offseason training develops bigger, faster, stronger athletes. I have no analogy for basketball, just another concept to learn.  

Lagniappe 2. Got a problem. Have a methodology to work it? 

Post by @thestevenmellor

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Example:  

1) We're allowing too many transition points.

2) Stop losing winnable games. 

3) We've solved manageable problems before.

4) a) We'll send two not three to the glass

    b) Protect the basket

    c) Beat our guy to half court

    d) Shape up "I" or "triangle"

    e) Slow down the offense and reset the defense