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Playing Basketball at the Next Level
Andy Louder
Have you ever wondered why certain basketball players don't
measure up to their potential? Players that have incredible
skills and abilities but then can't make it beyond organized
high school basketball are a dime a dozen. There are many
possible theories out there why this is so but we feel that
the reasons are few and simple. Our purpose for this article
is to explain those reasons and give players the awareness
they need to stand out from their peers and to make it to
the level of competition they desire.
Lack of Focus
For most players it is very easy to get bored with details
when it comes to fundamentals and technique. Let's admit,
it's a lot more fun to play pick up games than to work on
things like proper foot movement, shooting technique, ball
control and etc. Because of this most players neglect to focus
on small details of their game. All great players have spent
countless hours in the gym working on the fine details of
their game and have made the commitment necessary to learn
the proper drills and fundamentals that will enhance their
skills. At the High School level of competition a good player
can still stand out and dominate their competition without
focusing on the little things. However once they get to the
next level, if they haven't developed the proper fundamentals
and techniques of every facet of the game they will almost
always under-perform and have serious regrets. So when you
have spare time during the week, instead of organizing a pick
up game start focusing on the small detailed fundamentals
of your game and work on perfecting them.
Lack of Drive
Playing big time basketball requires a lot of your commitment
and time. Many players think they have the passion it requires
to excel at the next level when in reality they aren't even
close. Liking to play lots of basketball and pick up games
doesn't qualify you for having the necessary drive. Those
that really have the drive give up many meaningful things
in their life just to dedicate more time to sharpening their
basketball skills. It's a tough thing to do because when you're
young there are so many things that you want to get involved
in. You want to spend time with your friends, you want to
go to parties, you want to spend every waking hour with your
girlfriend/boyfriend and that's just to name a few. The reality
is, the game of basketball has become so competitive that
if you don't make it your #1 focus and then back that up by
setting your priorities around it, you'll be left in the dust.
Certainly we don't feel that it's necessarily wrong to have
other interests than basketball, we just want to make it clear
that those players that really have the drive make basketball
their top priority. Once again a player can actually do very
well during high school with a lack of drive but once they
get to the next level they will face the consequences.
Lack of Intensity
This is sometimes what people are referring to when they say
that a player has the "it" factor. Basketball players that
are intense almost always succeed because they absolutely
hate to lose or perform poorly. A lot of players are extremely
gifted and have tremendous skills but because they lack intensity
they can never win the big games and will not be able to make
it beyond High School Basketball. Some argue that intensity
is something that cannot be taught or learned. They claim
that it's something you are just born with. We adamantly disagree
with that. A player can learn and acquire intensity if they
make an effort to do so. Nobody can do it for them though
and that's what is so frustrating for most coaches. You have
to make the decision that you are an intense player and then
you must perform with aggression and passion over and over
again until it becomes a habit. Once you truly develop intensity
you will play with a very aggressive attitude and you will
not tolerate poor performances by yourself or your teammates.
If it doesn't bother you very much when you lose or under-perform
you have a lot of work ahead of you.
Lack of Confidence
If you don't think you are going to make every shot you put
up you don't have much of a reason to be on the court. Great
basketball players have enough confidence in their abilities
and skills to take the shot when it's there. When players
suffer from poor shooting or poor performance it often times
has nothing to do with their mechanics or abilities and everything
to do with their head. Do whatever you have to do to develop
confidence in your abilities. If it requires you to spend
hours and hours in the gym so be it. Also work on your mental
preparation. Thinking about your shots and imaging you making
them is just as important of a pre-game activity as stretching
and warming up. Don't ever go into a game where you haven't
spent a good ten minutes meditating about your performance.
Go through scenarios in your head and imagine yourself handling
them with confidence. Make yourself aware of the fact that
you will miss some shots from time to time but that it won't
hinder your concentration and confidence one bit. It seems
silly to a lot of people and that's one reason why it doesn't
get done very often but it's something all great players do.
Lack of Humility
It's one thing to be confident about your abilities but if
you're so confident that you deny the weaknesses in your game
you've hit a wall that will block your progression as a basketball
player. Nobody is perfect. The minute you think you are so
good that you don't need to practice is when you start setting
yourself up for failure. If you've become better than most
players in your school and in your area, rest assured that
there are players all over the world that have twice the skills
as you and are competing to play at the same level you are.
Summary
Good skilled basketball players exist all over the world.
With the game of basketball becoming so popular and so competitive
only the best of the best have what it takes to play at the
next level. Although it can be very difficult players can
turn themselves into stars if they have the focus, drive,
intensity, confidence and humility that is required to stand
out.
For more on basketball skills visit www.hoopskills.com
Andy Louder is the founder and president of a basketball
skills website http://www.hoopskills.com
Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com
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