Get SMART - set specific, measurable, attainable, reasonable, timely goals. Set defined goals with detailed plans to achieve them.
1. Shoot better. Nothing works without shooting. For example, pick-and-roll (below).
Spacing only works if perimeter players constitute some threat. Space into a high ball screen (left). Notice that when replace other players with "turtles", there isn't any place for either 1 or 5 to operate. "Non-shooters are always open" or "playing in traffic leads to bad results." Work on shooting off the catch, coming off screens (trash barrels in the driveway), and off the dribble. Get a teammate or a sibling as a rebounder and you both improve faster. That's the Urban Meyer 10-80-10 principle - as a top 10 percenter, drag teammates in the middle up into the upper echelon.
Learn to shoot when fatigued and against defenders.
Track your takes and your makes and monitor your progress.
Here's a shooting post with over a thousand views.
2. Become more fit. "Basketball isn't a running game, it's a sprinting game." Or you prefer, "movement kills defenses." Or you love Twain, "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." Jump rope for five minutes. Try some Tabata training (one example below). Check with your health professional to know if some exercises are inappropriate (e.g. crunches are not advised for many with back problems).
3. Be intentional with GO TO and COUNTER moves off the catch and off the dribble. Find four ways to score. You don't have a sky hook but you might develop footwork off box drills or the Paul Pierce wing series. Your work should bear your signature.
I've shown this multiple times because it breaks down how Pierce did it at a high level for a long time.
Complement that with the Villanova swing series.
4. Shoot more. 50,000 makes. Make 500 shots a day for 100 days. The Curry warmup (below) is 100 makes. 100 free throws takes you to 200. Box drills finishing off either foot from either side absolutely gets you to 300. That only leaves 200 other shots...piece of cake. It also demands that you track everything. "Winners are trackers."
5. Learn the game. Challenge yourself to read over thirty minutes a day. At my site alone there are over 1850 individual posts. Write (not type) a one page summary of what you learned. Handwriting helps reinforce lessons. Watch educational video (e.g. Fiba videos on youtube.com, Kevin Eastman, Hubie Brown, BBallBreakdown with Coach Nick, Coach Daniel, and more).
Lagniappe: Develop your morning routine. Include specific study, reading, writing, nutrition, exercise, mindfulness. "Win the morning to win the day."
Too hard? Sitting on the bench doesn't take any work at all.
