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Thursday, April 6, 2023

Basketball: Ten Ideas for Player Development

Kevin Eastman succinctly says, "success leaves footprints." Build legacy through player development. "Every day is player development day." 

Longfellow reminds us about legacy.

Traffic in specifics. Here are ten ideas for offseason player development. Yes, you're tired of seeing some of them. 

1. Footwork. Become lighter on your feet. Two ideas. 



Meanwhile work on your pivoting with box drills with defense. 

2. Warmup better. Get 50. WWJD (What would Jay do?)


  • Form
  • Mikans
  • Reverse Mikans
  • Bradleys
  • 1-2 s
3. Work with a partner. Drag another into the top echelon of players. A partner adds defense, competition, and a rebounder. Practice against air and you get used to 'air' defense. "Be a tracker" and work to achieve PBs (personal bests). 

4. Attack mentality. Choose from a 'menu' of improvements. Invest the time to review multiple videos. You don't need to develop every one. 
5. "Think shot first." Don Kelbick's advice is "think shot first," but you need the results. Consider using time constraints when practicing to force 'x' number of makes in a given time. 

Here's a link to helpful ideas for shooting including "Championship 38." Consider using cellphone video to study your form and quickness of release. Be 'shot ready'. 


6. Study the game. Pick a coach. Pick a player. Pick a topic (e.g. pick-and-roll). Consider writing down a one-page summary of what you learned or what you consider 'central themes'. There's data suggesting that writing it out by hand is better. 

"Make friends with the dead" like Dean Smith, John Wooden, and Pete Newell. 

7. Strengthen your mental game. Mindfulness is one alternative to improve focus, lower stress hormones, improve sleep, and reduce anxiety and depression. UCLA has free guided meditations that you can do in less than ten minutes. Most great NBA players and Olympians practice the art. 

8. Extend your shooting range. The trends in the game are clear - threes, layups, and free throws. Increase your options and minutes by extending your range. There's no "easy" answer and Coach Castellaw has a detailed suggestion breakdown. "Get in the lab." 



9. Improve your handle. Phil Handy has ideas that he uses as a Lakers coach. 


10."10,000 hours." Not everyone agrees on the 10,000 hours theory that it takes years of practice to excel. Michelangelo finished 'The Pieta' when he was 23. People were amazed. He said they'd be less amazed if they knew he worked at his craft for ten hours a day since he was eight. 

Ben Franklin took the nine year apprenticeship in printing with his brother to have more exposure to writing. 

Divide your time among skill building, playing the game against better competition, physical and mental development, . 

Lagniappe. Shared many of these ideas with Cecilia. She works.  "Champions do extra." She led her 14-7 team to an 18-8 finish with an appearance in the Massachusetts state championship game. And she's an elite student and leader. 
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