The Foundation
First, let us ensure we are all on the same page.
To most athletes, the belief is that their ability will have the greatest improvement during the season in which their sport takes place. That seems reasonable doesn't it? I mean during the season you are practicing and playing games almost every day. And
To most athletes, the belief is that their ability will have the greatest improvement during the season in which their sport takes place. That seems reasonable doesn't it? I mean during the season you are practicing and playing games almost every day. And
while that thought process is partially true it is also completely false. What did he just say?
Let's break it down ...
And what about practice, those 2 hours per day during the season. Think about it. Think about how much time is spent standing on the sideline waiting for your turn to participate in what was just taught (offense or defense). Think about how much time is spent listening to coaches explain drills or new ideas and strategies. Think about how much time is spent running to stay or get into the proper conditioned level for your sport. Is this wasted time, of course NOT! It has to be done but I am demonstrating how much time during the actual season is not spent on improving your individual fundamentals: Shooting, passing, ball handling, rebounding, footwork, eye-hand coordination, etc, etc, etc
Additionally, many players believe that the moment the season ends they never need to touch the basketball again until the season starts the next Fall. These may also be the individuals that think they are improving the most during the season and in theory don't need to do anything when the season ends. In reality however, true ability is improved upon in the off-season and during the summer. The reason for this is due to the amount of time that can be focused on individual fundamental work as explained above.
During your sports season you are in theory practicing just as much as everyone else. Let's say we have two players, A and B. Let's also assume A is a better basketball player than B for this example.
Let's break it down ...
If you are a starter for your H.S. team you might play 28 minutes out of the total 32-minute game. That means you average 7 minutes out of every 8-minute quarter.
If you average 12 points a game that means you make 6 shots a game (not including free throws or 3pt shots).
Let's assume you have a high shooting percentage from the field: 50%, meaning you made every other shot you took.
So that means if you make 6 shots a game you take 12 shots, because to make six you had to miss six = 50% shooting
That means you might take 3 shots per quarter = 4 quarters / 12 total shots = 3 shots per quarter
Here is the kicker. Look at the above breakdown and then ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I a starter?
- Regardless of answer #1, do I actually play 28 minutes of every game?
- Do I actually score 12+ points a game?
- Do I shoot 50% or better from the field?
- Do I get at least 12 shots per game?
The point to all this is that you are not getting the above shots. You are not getting the above playing time. You are not improving during the season due to games. You have to consider the following as well as to why during actual games you may not actually be improving at the game of basketball.
If you aren't the PG then you are averaging about 5 minutes or less of actual ball handling time.
If you aren't the PG or SG you may not be getting a ton of chances to utilize your passing skills.
So you aren't shooting much, passing much or dribbling much. What then are you doing with your time on the court regardless if it is 5 minutes or the 28 minutes described above? Pretty much you are spending your minutes running up and down the court and playing defense. You got a great workout but not a major influence in your ability to improve overall within the game of basketball. Yes your Basketball IQ, game IQ and conditioning is improving but did those limited minutes and very few game shots increase your scoring ability and shooting percentage? Nope!
And what about practice, those 2 hours per day during the season. Think about it. Think about how much time is spent standing on the sideline waiting for your turn to participate in what was just taught (offense or defense). Think about how much time is spent listening to coaches explain drills or new ideas and strategies. Think about how much time is spent running to stay or get into the proper conditioned level for your sport. Is this wasted time, of course NOT! It has to be done but I am demonstrating how much time during the actual season is not spent on improving your individual fundamentals: Shooting, passing, ball handling, rebounding, footwork, eye-hand coordination, etc, etc, etc
Additionally, many players believe that the moment the season ends they never need to touch the basketball again until the season starts the next Fall. These may also be the individuals that think they are improving the most during the season and in theory don't need to do anything when the season ends. In reality however, true ability is improved upon in the off-season and during the summer. The reason for this is due to the amount of time that can be focused on individual fundamental work as explained above.
During your sports season you are in theory practicing just as much as everyone else. Let's say we have two players, A and B. Let's also assume A is a better basketball player than B for this example.
If player A is at practice 10 hours a week, then in theory player B should also be at practice 10 hours a week, both doing the same drills and learning the same skills. Player B will in most cases never reach the skill level of player A or surpass it, due to the fact that both players are doing the same amount of work. In addition, during the season players have numerous distractions and responsibilities to deal with that control and consume much of their time. Academics, family responsibilities, work, friendships, organizations and clubs and just the simply responsibilities of growing within life and the pressures that come with it. Add all these to the mountain of work that must be done during the season to improve as an individual player and teammate and you can see the limited amount of time each player has.
The time you spend in the off-season and summer is what allows you to reach and surpass your peers. The time you spend on your own working your craft is what allows you to move from the back-up to the starter at your position. If you are already a starter it allows you to hold firmly onto your title as well as surpass other players on other teams at your position when you play them.
A final note on this topic before going into specifics of success is "Leading By Example". If you apply yourself and spend the countless hours practicing your craft your ability will increase. Your teammates will do one of two things. They will see the improvement and join in your ritual of improvement because they to want to be better but more importantly don't want to be left behind. Or they will stay content with their level of ability. Success is contagious but not everyone will jump on board regardless of how much they want it. You must understand you can only control your own actions. Lead by example, give everything you have each and every time and if you can change just one person's mind set on how to perform you have done a great job as a leader.
M.E.
The time you spend in the off-season and summer is what allows you to reach and surpass your peers. The time you spend on your own working your craft is what allows you to move from the back-up to the starter at your position. If you are already a starter it allows you to hold firmly onto your title as well as surpass other players on other teams at your position when you play them.
A final note on this topic before going into specifics of success is "Leading By Example". If you apply yourself and spend the countless hours practicing your craft your ability will increase. Your teammates will do one of two things. They will see the improvement and join in your ritual of improvement because they to want to be better but more importantly don't want to be left behind. Or they will stay content with their level of ability. Success is contagious but not everyone will jump on board regardless of how much they want it. You must understand you can only control your own actions. Lead by example, give everything you have each and every time and if you can change just one person's mind set on how to perform you have done a great job as a leader.
M.E.