1. It’s a 5 on 5 game, so use your teammates.

2. Remember B.E.E.F when shooting the basketball.

3. Remember to pack jersey, shorts, socks and sneakers at the least.  This is assuming you are already wearing underwear.

4. Stretch at least 15-30 minutes before practice and games.  It’s always a good idea to stretch afterwards also.

5. Know your role on the team.  If you are there for defense then play tough D.  When everyone knows their role on the team, you synch into a good team.

6. Practice with the right ball.  If you are a male, don’t use a girl’s ball to practice (and vice versa).  Your muscle memory will be out of wack.

7. Have fun, it’s not the end all if you have a bad game.

8.  Keep your eyes on the rim when you shoot.

9.  Play with kid’s better than you, it will pay off in the future.

10. Invest in some nice sneakers.  You dress well, you play well.

11. Always listen to the coach.  He may see things on the sideline that you don’t see on the court.

12. Mix up strength and endurance exercises.  It’s not good to concentrate on one, basketball is a game of stamina and strength.

13. Trust muscle memory.  To build this up, you need to practice, practice, practice.

14. Set priorities.  If hanging out with friends is more important than practicing in the backyard then go for it but the player who practices will be one step ahead of you.

15. Always be learning.  Study the game of basketball, whether it’s a new technique or the history.  Learn from this site.  Whatever it is be a student of the game.

16. Don’t be afraid to be successful.  Some people shy away from the spotlight.  If you want to become someone, step up and own the stage.

17. Don’t let anyone bring you down.  If a teammate tells you to stop shooting because your bad at it, work on it for next year and show him or her up!

18. Use the backboard.  Coaches hate when you finger-roll it off the back or front of the rim.

19. Be flexible.  Don’t be stiff on the court.  Relax and be loose.

20. Share the rock.  Pass and you shall receive.

21. Do you.  If listening to Tupac pumps you up before a game, then listen to him.  Every player is different in terms of what motivates them.

22. Have good posture.  I may sound like your parent but having good posture enables your core to be strong and not sore.

23. Don’t get discouraged with teammates.  Even though you might not approve of their play, you need to keep an even keel and encourage your teammates.  You guys or gals are there for 2 reasons, have fun and win.

24. Don’t play to impress.  Play for only you.

25. Never take a break on defense.  Only take breaks when the whistle blows.  If you need a break, raise your hand for the coach to take you out.

26. Always look to expand your skill set.  For example, if you are a low post player and you have “perfected” the drop step, move on and try to practice the up and under move.

27.  Look up to NBA players but don’t play like them.  Play your own game because once you start copying someone is when you tend to make mistakes.

28. Be involved with every play.  If there is a timeout huddle and you are not one of the 5 current players on the floor, listen and know what’s happening anyways.

29. Play year round.  I know some players play other sports but, if you are serious about basketball, you will the time each season to work on your game.

30. Find a target on the rim to concentrate on when you shoot.  Always look at this spot.  For me, I’ve always concentrated on the back of the rim.

31. Always be in position.  Whether we are talking about a place on the court or your body, always be ready to make your next move.

32.  See plays before they happen.  There is a thing called basketball intuition that I think is learned.  Try to be one step ahead of your defender.

33. Never through cross court unless there is a person absolutely WIDE open.  Many passes that get intercepted because the passer throws it too far so the defense can adjust.

34.  You’ll get in funks.  Throughout my years as a player, I’ve gone through many multiple games where I couldn’t find the bottom of the barrel.  I knew it would pass and I found other ways to help me team out.

35. Don’t pollute your body.  When you eat like crap, you play like crap.  Food has a big influence on how our body and mind operate.

If you have any other tips, please feel free to share them in the comments section!

The following are new additions and upcoming features to this site!

New Design

The first thing you will notice is the new site design.  I think it’s a HUGE step up from the last one.  The structure of this site is much more appealing and user friendly.  In addition, it will enable me to add new features that will help you out.  I’ve added a featured section on the homepage to display some important articles and/or pages you should check out.

Going Social

In an effort to engage with you guys, I’ve decided to make it a priority to setup Facebook and Twitter pages to discuss basketball.  As you probably noticed, there are icons that will eventually lead you to the BDO social networking pages.

More Drills

With the help of my basketball buddies, I’m rolling out all new drills that actually work.  This will be from college players and coaches that have put countless hours improving their own skills or other players.  Either way, I’m excited to publish some great basketball drills this month.

Product Reviews

I will be giving honest basketball related product reviews for you guys.  If a product is terrible, I will give you my review then tell you it’s terrible, I like to call it the no fluff approach.

Product Store

I will be opening up an online store that will have the very best products or merchandise in the basketball niche.  I’m very eager to get this done for you because I know there are many people missing out on some awesome stuff out there.  The online store will most likely launch at the end of the month.

Coaches Corner

For you coaches out there, I will be launching a section on the site for you guys and gals.  It will feature proven tips and strategies for your teams, team drills and workouts, defensive and offensive plays and much more.

E-Book! (launching in January 2012)

I want to announce the launch of my very own ebook in the beginning of 2012.  In the next couple of months, I will be working hard to deliver the best e-book for basketball players to improve their game.  It will feature revamped articles from this site along with some new material, proven techniques, extensive list of drills, workout plans, charts, diagrams, and much more!  If you sign up for the newsletter, you will get an email on launch day along with an exclusive discount.

Stretch before and after a game or practice (as much as you can)

This is the most important thing you can do to prevent injuries.  I understand that it is a tedious task and you just want to pickup the basketball and shoot.  Stretching prior to any physical exercise is key because it allows your muscles to stretch and warm up a bit.  When your muscles are tight, the elasticity is tougher which can cause tears and such.  Another important and overlooked time to stretch is after the workout.  You muscles have been working extra hard and you need to reward them with a good stretch.

Check out this article on how to stretch both your lower and upper body (article).

Warmup

There’s a reason why layup lines exist.  It is to help you warm up your muscles and ease into practice or a game.  You should take this time to jump, run, move your arms, twist,etc.  Don’t go 100% here, instead use it what it’s made for…warmup!  As warmups progress and you got some runs in, then step it up a notch and play at game speed.

Where Mouth Guards

It’s inconvenient to wear a mouth guard but when I was in high school, I was required to wear one and I’m very happy I did.  I swear, a couple times I would of lost at least two teeth if it wasn’t for my mouth guard.  Let’s face it, getting an elbow in the chops hurts no matter what your wearing.  A mouth guard won’t make it any better but it will save on your dentist bill and future relationships.

Wear appropriate attire

I see many basketball players don’t wear the right shoes or shorts.  When it comes to shoes, make sure the soles aren’t worn out.  Many basketball players slip and injure their arms and/or ankles because their soles don’t have any grips.  In addition, make sure your sneakers are high tops that are tied tight.  Stay away from low cut sneakers as this doesn’t support any awkward ankle movements.  As far as shorts go, there is one suggestion…don’t wear baggy shorts that go past your knees.  Too many players can tripped up in their shorts because they are too large for their own good.

Final Thoughts

It’s really hard to prevent any injuries unless you play scarred but you can help yourself with the above tips.  I’ve had my fair share of injuries in my playing days but nothing too serious.  I took precaution before hand so I can play all out during my games.  Eventhough I was a scrappy player, I always witnessed other players getting hurt because they all they wanted to do was play from the get go.  Do all the prep work for your body to be at it’s optimal peak and go out there and play basketball w/o worrying about a sprained ankle.

Stay Disciplined ~ Play first, School second

First piece of advice is to stay disciplined.  If you are really serious about improving your game, you will need to block off a couple hours, 5 days per week to practice.  My advice, maybe most parents won’t agree with, is to play first and homework second.  As the days progress, daylight will end sooner in the day.  You should get out there while it’s still light out and warm.  This is the case for the northeast anyway.  Now, this is where the discipline factor comes into effect, you cannot ignore school work.  After you workout, you should eat dinner then sit down and do your homework.  PLEASE, don’t be one dimensional by only playing basketball.  Many more doors will open up when you have a good education, trust me.

Join a Gym

If you are in highschool, I think it’s a very good idea to join a local gym that has a basketball court.  I worked a part-time job in high school so that I could pay for a gym membership.  This will enable you to practice at night or when it rains and possible play with some competition.  You can also run, lift weights, swim, do yoga and more at a gym.

Play on the weekends and play alot

Weekends is a great time to get together with other players and play ball.  During the week is where you should craft your individual skills and the weekend can be for playing 3 on 3 or 5 on 5.  I’ve said it before in previous posts, playing against good competition is just as important as practicing on your own.  I remember when I was in middle school and high school, I would call up all my friends and tell them to meet me at a certain time.  I would probably get 75% of them to show up but we would play for hours.

Play a Fall Sport

Playing a fall sport doesn’t directly affect your game but it does help with conditioning and staying in shape.  I recommend this to all kids prior to highschool.  I believe it’s very beneficial to play three sports in order to be an all around player.  For example, soccer helps with your endurance and foot work which proves to be extremely helpful on the basketball court.

Final Thoughts

I just want to make it clear again regarding my first point.  School work is more important than basketball so please don’t ignore your studies.

Before the start of the season, I think it’s important to practice and play (with good competition) whenever you can.  There is a fine line though, you don’t want to overdue it because the winter season is long and you want your legs to be fresh going into tryouts.  If you took my advice, you should have been practicing during the summer which makes it easier for the months ahead.  Play hard and work hard should be your motto for the next couple months!

Summer is a great time for players to reach new heights and improve their game.  For most kids, you will be out of school at this time which leaves many hours available to perfect your game.  I’m going to share a personal reflection during the summer of 2000 where I worked relentlessly to improve my jumping abilities.  I was 17 at the time and spent the entire summer improving my leg strength which allowed me to go from a 25″ inch vertical to a 30″.  5 inches doesn’t seem like a lot but given my height and quickness, it proved to be a lot when competing.  Below are the sure fire methods that helped me jump higher which in turn improved my game.

#1: Played anytime I could

The summer is great when your in school.  For a lot of players that means ample time to play, play, play.  Instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV for 5 hours straight, I chose to go outside and play ball with anyone and everyone.  I would either setup pickup games with my friends or go to the park and hopefully there will be some players in game mode.  Scrimmaging and playing pickup games is great because you are competing but at the same time you can play for hours without the structure.  Anytime you are moving on your feet, you are getting a workout and becoming stronger.

#2: Bought running shoes and actually ran

Most basketball players ignore the benefits of running.  Running allows your muscles to become long and lean which will lead to more versatility and flexibility.  Not only does running improve your jumping abilities, it also enables you to be conditioned.  Basketball is a game of short and quick sprints, by only playing on the court you are limiting yourself with your conditioning.  During the summer, I woke up at 8:00am (early for a highschooler) and ran about 3 miles 5 days a week.  Not only could I feel my legs become more bouncy but my mind and thoughts became to be clearer.

#3: Didn’t waste my time on Jump Soles

When I was in high school the big thing were jump soles.  They were funny looking moon shoes with an expensive price tag of $100.  I’m not going to lie, I was tempted to buy them and see what heights it would take me to but opted to go ole natural.  I’m not here to tell you they didn’t work but my friends who did buy them ended up wearing them a couple times and tried selling me the kit for $75.  This is the only program I would of purchased back then (it wasn’t available 10 years ago).

#4:  Developed a workout plan and chart

It is extremely difficult to stay consistent when you workout and especially during the summer months when school is out and your friends are at the beach.   Instead of spending my days laying on the sand, I took advantage of the time to help me be a better leaper.  I owe a lot of it from the workout plan I devised.  It’s been 13 years since that time so I’m sure my plan and chart doesn’t exist in the world today.  I pretty much laid out all of the exercises I could find on the internet and picked about 15 of them I would do throughout the week.  I created an excel spreadsheet with a column for the workouts and if I did them on that particular day I would check it off.  One of the products that I stand behind is the Jump Manual, they actually offer a great workout plan specifically to improving your jumping abilities.

#5: Did the Right Exercises and Drills

I setup a system where I did the basic exercises daily.  I didn’t use any gear or a special slingshot, I chose to stick to the basics and it worked.  There are literally thousands of drills and exercises you can do but my strong advice is stick to what you know and don’t go overboard in finding new methods of exercise.  Below are exercises and drills I did on a regular basis for 3 months straight.

• Jump Rope: Before every run in the morning, I jump roped for 10 minutes.  This was a nice way to warmup while strengthening the calves.  I always started slow and and finished fast.  Short, quick jumps enables you to be quicker and more explosive.
• Calf Raises:  This can be done anywhere.  If you are just starting out, I suggest doing these on the ground.   To do them effectively, you need to have your feet should width apart, slowly lift your heel off the ground and then slowly come down.  Do this for a certain amount of reps and you will soon feel the burn.  As you gain strength in your calf, you can use steps of stairs to do these.
• Low Squat Ankle Jump: This is a great way to build thigh muscle and increase strength of your knee joints.  Begin by holding the squat position.  After you are low to the ground, bounce up and down on the balls of your feet while maintaining the squat position.

#6: Ate Healthy for the First Time in my Life

One of the things that always weighed me down was my diet.  I made it a point, in the summer of 2000, to eat a much healthier and balanced meal.  Prior to this commitment, I constantly ate like crap.  I was a typical teenager eating greasy burgers, fries and sipping on Coke and Slurpees.  After every passing day I could feel more and more energized.  I never understood the importance of food and the human body but it was a little miracle!

 #7: Had a Goal in Mind – slap the backboard

When you have a goal in mind and written down then you are actually working your butt off for something.  Without the light at the end the journey will seem meaningless.  My personal goal was to be able to slap the backboard during a layup.  I had about a few inches to go before summer began and it was very rewarding to see my hard work pay off.  Now, if I had a goal of dunking by the end of summer then I would be utterly disappointed.  Dunking was unrealistic for me because I was 5 foot nothing and still developing my lower body strength.  It is important that you set manageable and attainable goals so that you know in the back of your mind that it  is possible.

 Final Thoughts

Increasing your jumping ability takes lots of time and hard work.  On average I probably spent two hours a day, 5 days a week on strengthening my legs.  I knew that being able to jump higher paired with my skills would make me a much better player.  You might be asking yourself, did you ever do any drills?  Of course.  I found the time to mix in “perfecting” my basketball skills.  It wasn’t easy to find the time, stick to a routine and consistently sweat my butt off but it did pay off in the regular season where I say all of my prior averages increase.

It all changed in the summer of 2008 when Chicago Bulls won the first pick in the draft.  They decided on a local kid who played a year for the Memphis Tigers, his name…Derrick Rose.

This bright, young point guard who grew up in the Chicago area has gone under the radar to most likely win his first MVP.  He has dug the Bulls out of the trenches to finish first in the East.  What can youth basketball players learn from this talent?  The following are some aspects of Rose’s game to watch and learn from during the 2011 playoffs.

Humbleness

If you listen to his comments during and after the game, you would have no idea this man one of the top basketball players in the world!  He carries himself like a true teammate and champion.  A great lesson for kids, no matter how good you know you are, always approach yourself like you are a work in progress.  Don’t let your success get to your head, you have a long road ahead of you!

Toughness and Fearlessness

One of the aspects of D Rose’s game that I admire is his mental strength.  He can will himself and his team to get the “W” no matter how poorly they are shooting.  He never takes a play off because he knows that could be the game.  Rose will slash through the defense and go right at the big guy’s to get to the line.  Point guards should be the leader and if your teammates see your never give up attitude, they will follow.

Leader

If you watch an entire game you will constantly see Derrick Rose point and talk to his teammates.  He is an extension of their coach, Tom Thibodeau.  He is always thinking one step ahead of the competition and letting his players know what his next move will be.  If you are a youth basketball player and more specifically, a point guard, make the coaches life easier and be a leader out on the court.  It will get you through so many things in life.

Work Ethic

If you remember Rose’s shot in college it was mediocre, at best.  Now, he can crossover, step back and drill a shot in a defender’s face with ease.  He was always lacking a steady jump shot but this year he improved that facet of his game.  What’s his secret?  Hard work.  Not during the season but the summer months.  I’m sure he made it a point to improve his jumpshot everyday he woke up and now it’s paying dividends for his offensive game.

Change of Pace

It may look like Derrick Rose is constantly moving at a fast pace but you’re eyes are playing tricks on you.  If you watch closely, he changes his pace on every possession.   Sure, if he sees a hole, he will attack it but to get there he has to slow down to get the defense to react one way or the other.  The important lesson here is mix up your speed to keep the defender guessing.

Crossover Dribble

The crossover dribble is one of the best moves you can do as an offensive player.  When mastered, you can get by any defender with one powerful dribble.  Watch how Rose keeps the ball low and explodes from one hand to the other; it’s a great mix of finesse and power.  Click here to learn how he does it.

Do your drills

By far the biggest thing you can do to be a better basketball player is practice consistently.  There is no way around it, to improve your skill set you need to get out there and play ball.  First, you should have a workout plan that matches your goals and areas of improvement.  It’s important to have a workout plan at least 5 days/week and take off a couple in order to get your body rested.

Be quicker than yesterday

Not everyone can stretch themselves to be 5 inches taller but you can improve on another aspect that will give you an advantage; quickness.  Being a quicker basketball player helps you get by people on the dribble, stop opponents on the defensive-end and be the first player to a loose ball.  Make it a point in your basketball career to be quicker than yesterday and you will reap the benefits.

Get 8 hours of shut-eye

It’s proven that the body needs around 8 hours for maximum efficiency.  In order to be at the top of your game day in and day out, you need to be well-rested.  I’ve experienced days when I didn’t get enough sleep and I felt groggy and weighed down.  On the other hand, I’ve had days when I feel light on my feet and refreshed.  This was all due to the night before when I got 5 hours of sleep compared to 8.

Share the rock

Being a ball hog these days won’t cut it.  In order to be a successful team player you need to have a pass first, shoot second mentality.  On some occasions, if you are  a far superior offensive player, you will need to shoot first, pass second.  But, for the most part, look to find the open man/woman and your team will return the favor.

Don’t be afraid to make many mistakes

If you are pushing yourself to become a better player than you will have many mistakes and mishaps along the way.  It’s inevitable that you will dribble out of bounds, miss a jump shot, get fatigued, go under a screen, etc.  The key to improving is making mistakes and then learning from them.  Players who play it safe and seldom make a mistake play at the same level every year.  Make mistakes and push yourself out of your comfort zone and you’ll look back and pat yourself on the back for being human.

Find a Lifetime Basketball Partner

Playing and practicing by yourself is convenient and all but playing with another player will help you improve your game much more.  Whether it’s a friend or sibling, having someone else play defense on you gives you game mode simulation.  In addition, you can get honest critiques on your game, ask them what you need to work on and what they think is your biggest strength.  It is always fun when your friendship can grow as your basketball skills improve together.

Study the game.  Yes, I said study!

Opening a book or reading sites like this one can make you into a better basketball player.  It might sound lazy or unimportant but reading tips and advice can make you into a great player.  The first step is to study and learn some things and the second step is to actual do them.  Practice what you learned and you will be a better basketball player!

Be yourself and not LeBron

It’s OK to have an imagination and pretend your a superstar like Kobe or LeBron but sometimes you need to snap back to reality and be you.  NBA players are very gifted when it comes to athleticism and they have put decades into their game.  You may be starting out or have played for a number of seasons but they probably double the experience.  Just improve on your game and things will fall into place.  Who knows, maybe someone 10 years from now will be pretending to be you!

There is a HUGE myth that you have to be tall in order to succeed in the game of basketball. Sure, it helps but it’s not the end all if your 5’8”. If you are one of the shortest players on the team then you are probably the point guard. Luckily, the other team’s shortest players will tend to be point guards also. So, what does this mean? In most cases you are playing against short players. It’s when you get past them, you need to use some other elements of your game in order to avoid the big guys.

A key for me growing up was confidence. I knew every time I was on the court that no one could stop me. No matter who was guarding, how tall or quick they were, I would have the advantage over the opponent. If you were quicker than me, I would come off screens and shoot jumpers. If you were slower than me, I would cross you over. If you were taller, I would use quick dribbles to get to where I want and shot fake so you would go up in the air. I think you get the point here. Being able to think you are better than your opponent and switching your game up a little will give you a great advantage over the opposition.

I remember walking into gyms and players would take one look at me and brush me off.  I’m sure they were thinking, “This short kid, needs to go back to playing with his little brother.”  As games progressed, I would earn the respect of my opponents.  By the end of the game they would tell me I have game.

If you are one of the shorter players on the team, don’t let if affect your game. Work on aspects of your game that you can control like getting a quicker and better jump shot! If you have a better work ethic and drive, you will be much better off than being tall.  Tall means nothing when you don’t have the skills to back it up.  Be a ball player, not matter how tall you are.

Tip 1: Make sure you have stretched and have warmed up before practicing or playing in a game.

Tip 2: Break in your sneakers before you play a game.  Your feet will hurt the next day if  you play in brand new sneakers.

Tip 3: Eat healthy the day before and on game day.  Here is a post for more information.

Tip 4: Don’t foul a 3 point shooter.  A coach doesn’t like silly fouls and this is one of them.

Tip 5: Don’t lift weights.  You are too young to exercise your muscles with heavy objects, stick to running and developing your basketball skills.

Tip 6: It’s ok to shorter than everyone else.  I know from personal experience, you can succeed by being quicker, more athletic and smarter the others.

Tip 7: Have fun.  The game of basketball shouldn’t be serious.  Go out and play and by play I don’t mean work.

Tip 8: Grab the ball with both hands when you rebound to ensure you have a strong grip on the ball.

Tip 9: Don’t fall back on a jump shot.  You have a much better chance when you are balanced.

Tip 10: Play with older players.  If you want to increase your skill level, you have to play with players better than you.

Tip 11: Look to pass first, shoot second.  More times than not, there will be a player more open than you.  If you can’t find someone then you shoot.

Tip 12: Arrive at least 3o minutes prior to tip-off.  You need a chance to stretch and get mentality focused.

Tip 13: Bring water or Gatorade to practices and games.  Basketball involves alot of running and movement so make sure you are hydrated at all times.

Tip 14: Practice more than you play.  By this I mean put in more hours of practice than you do games.   The more practice you put in the better your game will be.

Tip 15: Move without the ball.  Every time you don’t have the ball, you need to be moving.  Whether you are making a strong cut or running the baseline, the key is to get open.

Tip 16: Never watch the ball on D.  When you get caught looking, a player can easily go back door on you or you will get picked on the blind side.

Tip 17: Keep your head up at all times.  On the offensive end, especially when dribbling, make sure your chin is up and you see the entire floor.

Tip 18: Listen to the coach.  The coach is there to guide and teach you to play the game right, don’t brush him or her off.  Your basketball game will improve if you open your eyes to their suggestion.

Tip 19: Never take a play off.  It is easier and looks better if you ask to come out of the game instead of pulling on your shorts when your on defense.

Tip 20: Be part of the team.  No matter how good you are, never think of yourself against an opponent.  Think of it as a mid-evil battle, your part of a crew going against another crew head to head.  If you step out of the team you will pay the consequence.

Participating in a girls or boys travel league allows you to go to other towns and compete against their best. You get to play outside of your home gym and witness other courts and towns. It usually equates to a great family trip.

Not only do you play a regular season but travel leagues allows you to participate in tournaments. As a kid, I loved waking up in the morning, packing my stuff and heading to an all day affair of basketball. It is the first real taste of serious competition. It was fun to hangout with my buddies in between games and getting some pizza after we were knocked out.

In my case, the kid’s that I played travel leagues with during the grade and middle school years, turned out to play high school ball with too. We built a chemistry over a ten year span that proved effective from 9th to 12th grade.

If you are a parent reading this or a basketball player, just know there are real benefits to playing above or at your skill level. I think travel leagues are set up to do this. Not only are you developing on the court connections and skills but you bond friendships outside of the gym as well.