As a coach I have honed my skills of observation and I have the ability to assess players strengths and weaknesses. From this I provide feedback to players to help them become a better basketball player.
With this coaching role I have been able to reflect on my time as a basketball player and figure what worked and what didn’t in the way I played the game. As a result of this self reflection I was able to notice one thing that helped me to be a better basketball player. I was blown away with my realisation.
Past advice on being a better basketball player recapped
In past articles I have listed a few things that have helped me grow and become a better basketball player. Things like taking it one play at a time, leadership and attitude to name a few.
All these cumulatively make a very recruitable player. After all, you do have to impress coaching staff with more than talent. In most cases, these traits alone will get you a bench spot even if you are on the fringe of making the team. I should know! My career was all about this.
I was always the player on the fringe but my upbeat attitude and work ethic made most coaches love having me around.
What doesn’t make you a better basketball player
As I am addressing behaviours that do make you a better basketball player; I also need to cover what makes you a bad basketball player.
In some cases payers aren’t aware of their poor attitudes and often wonder why they don’t make teams and or get cut.
Going back a few years ago I wrote an article about the 5 common reasons players get overlooked in a tryout.
I compiled this list by asking a few acquaintances that are professional basketball coaches what they look for when recruiting players.
I believe three of the five points I discuss in this article is very relevant to this topic. They are:
- Don’t be soft. Play physical and don’t shy away from contact.
- Bad body language. Always stay upbeat and support your teammates. Something that head coach of the University of Connecticut’s, coach Auriemma recruits heavily on; attitude!
- Not running back on D. You have to run back on both ends of the floor. Not just on offence but getting back on D.
The one thing!
Now that we have dispensed with the obvious. I have discussed what attitudes will make you a good basketball player and what attitudes to get rid of. It’s time I drop the bomb on you.
The one thing that made me a better basketball player was…
Not caring what anyone thinks!
Yes, it is as simple as that. So many basketball players suffer from anxiety as they constantly worry about making mistakes because of worrying about what others might think of them. The high expectation they place on themselves cripples them.
Not giving a f&*k about peoples opinions made me play my normal game and gave me the confidence. As a result I became so much better at basketball in my later years. If I knew this when I was younger who knows how far I would have gone.
Seriously, it is that simple. Don’t let the opinions of others determine your game, or your life for that matter. Train hard and believe in yourself!