Monday, March 21, 2022

Basketball: Why I Deserve More Playing Time Than I'm Getting

Coaches share common themes, like player and family dissatisfaction. Minutes, role, and recognition are the basketball love triad. Imagine giving each returning player an index card with a single question on it:

Why do I deserve more playing time? 

Unhappiness often follows an imbalance between expectations and reality. Players may expect minutes and role because of seniority or time invested. But neither guarantees that a player deserves more than a chance to compete for time. Younger players may have more size, athleticism, and skill than older. Highly 'gifted' players often have invested time and received strong coaching because others saw their potential. 

If you're that "displaced" player, what is your recourse? 

  • Know your job. Ask the coach what specifically you can do to contribute. 
  • Ask yourself what are your strengths and weaknesses. Utilize strengths, attack weaknesses. Be detailed in your self-analysis. "I need to improve my free throw shooting" or "I need more lateral quickness to stay in front of players." 
  • Find a mentor.
  • Improve your preparation. If the coach says you need to improve your handle or your shooting, ask for help and become your own coach. 
  • Leverage improvement. Work with a teammate. Drag yourself and your teammate up the ladder. 
  • Ask "how can I impact winning?" Whining is never a winning answer. 
  • Film yourself and your workout partner. Everyone doesn't have cellphone video but a lot of players do. 
  • Keep records in your notebook. Document your workouts and the results. Track your progress. "Winners are trackers." You don't need a spreadsheet to monitor results...but your notebook is a low-cost investment. 
  • Study video. Study elite player separation and execution. 
  • Finish at the rim better. You could start with "box drills" or "wing moves" and practice different finishes. Have the goal to finish with either hand off either foot from either side. When you've improved, add defense and track results. 
Some of you are thinking, "that's a lot of work." Yes, it is. But you're the one saying why you deserve more minutes, more shots, and more recognition. When your coach asks, "why do you deserve more?," show her. Show that you took 300 shots a day, 6 days a week and improved range and shooting percentage from 50 to 65 percent. Show that your practice free throw percentage went from 70 to 86. Demonstrate more proficiency in basketball moves, strength, vertical jump, and conditioning. 

Summary: 
  • Know your job. 
  • Find a mentor.
  • Become your own coach.
  • Work with a teammate.
  • Understand how to impact winning.
  • Keep records. "Winners are trackers." 
  • Study video.

Lagniappe. We should play more 2 on 2. 

Lagniappe 2. "Every day is player development day." Jab variations. 

Lagniappe 3. More Iverson variations. Diagonal. 











 

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