"Everything is an opportunity." - Brad Stevens
Basketball gives us an unending series of chances to improve - our relationships, knowledge, our leadership, teaching, and communication skills.
We cannot control a lot of the success or failure that accompanies us. Talent comes and it leaves. We control our reaction and our adjustments.
Practice being ‘fundamentally sound’ every day.
1. Footwork and pivoting. Simple drills like Mikan and Box Drills reinforce footwork and pivoting leading to more consistent finishing.
2. Form shooting. Work on your release every day. Assess the quality and consistency of your shot. If you’re playing regularly, assess your form, results, and shot selection.
3. Proper shooting warmups. If Steve Nash, J.J. Redick, and Steph Curry become elite shooters warming up close to the basket and then extending out, why can’t you?
4. Layups. “Layups and free throws separate winning and losing.” Practice finishing with either hand from either side off either and both feet. Go hard or go home.
5. Basketball moves. Practice shot fakes ( slow and low) and rip throughs into a maximum of two dribble moves. Don’t “dribble the air out of the ball.” You aren’t James Harden.
6. “Crossover on your shoetop.” Separation comes from change of direction and change of pace. Don’t expose the ball...better defenders will steal or deflect it.
7. Use your phone to get film of your practice... watch your footwork, quickness, release, and fakes. Texting never made anyone a better player. Film study matters.
8. Track everything. How much sleep are you getting? How many minutes did you read? Did you invest your time or spend it?
9. Find a mentor and ask what fundamentals especially matter for you.
10.Review process and progress. Can you see a difference?
Fundamentals mean doing the right things, the right way, in a meaningful amount.
Lagniappe: Posterized. If you were making a basketball poster of what you stand for, what would it look like? What belongs in the poster and what doesn't? Your basketball values affect you and your teammates.