How to be Better at Basketball : Passing

How to be Better at Basketball 

Passing

"When passing you have to be fast,accurate and consistent"( James Wilson 34). It is important for players to analyze the situation and know what type of pass you should make to your teammate. The type of passes James Wilson covers in his book are :

Bounce Pass , Lob Pass , Chest Pass , Overhead Pass .

Seen here is myself passing the ball to Cerina , with a Overhead/Lob Pass. We use this type of pass during a play called "Line". Best used if the defender is shorter than Cerina. 

Questions ;
Are there any tips you for me on my passing
Are there any passes I missed you think I should Include ?

How to be Better at Basketball : Defense

How to be better at Basketball 

Defense
In the book James Wilson states that different people have different theories on defense so giving advice is limited. 

🏀Defensive Stance 🏀

The few tips he includes on defense is starting out in the defensive stance . 
" Your feet must be spread out wider than shoulder length ... will provide a firm base"
"Back should be straight as possible " 
" Knees should be bent slightly inwards and in half squat position "
" Torso should be leaning forward and arms wide "

The photo below shows me applying these steps to my defensive stance

🏀Boxing Out 🏀

In the book , James Wilson goes over Boxing out. He states that when someone shoots the ball you should not run and go get the ball but to Box Out . You do this by , " pivot around and jam your butt into their leg. This will stop them from getting the ball" (James Wilson 38)

As you can see here I am boxing out JD after Naya had shot the ball(not in the picture). Placing my back on her and having my arms wide so she can not get to the ball .


Questions;
Do you have any tips for my defense ?
What position do you play for your team or sport ?

How to be better at basketball : Shooting

Shooting

How to be better at basketball

Shooting isn't necessarily all about technique , if you look analyze some of the greatest shooters of all time ; Michael Jordan , Ray Allen Reggie Miller. You will notice all of them shoot differently yet they are all great shooters. " There are 3 qualities that will you instantly a great shooter"(Wilson 23).

1. Fast Release : when shooting more than likely someone will be guarding your shot so it is important to be able to shoot before there guard is up.

2. Accuracy : Being able to shoot with accuracy and bank it.

3.Consistency : Need to be able to use and do the same routine to make the shot

Using these 3 qualities will result in a better shot overall , it will not matter if the shot is ugly or not .

Here are the steps James Wilson includes on shooting :

1. Get into triple threat stance to shoot / Shooting Stance 
2. Hold the ball with fingertips with optimal control 
3. Have arms in 90 degree hooks 
4. Rising Up Stay in same position , and stay straight.

Here you can see me using proper form to shoot a free throw.

🏀Long Range Shots🏀

When doing Long Range Shots , like 3 pointers , elbow shots . You have to set up for the shot before you receive the ball . You can try standing in the triple threat stance with one foot back to step into the shot . Like above ^^

One tip James Wilson says in the book , is to always be ready to take the shot. If you are not ready it increases the chance of it being blocked by a defender .

Here we see Alexis not ready to take the shot.

This is a BAD HABIT , When shooting it is important to remember the three qualities

Questions : Are you a good shooter have you used any of these qualities while shooting ?

 

Basketball: Visualization and Confidence

Michael Jordan said put it best: "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take". In basketball, and in all sports, visualization and confidence is the key to preforming to the best of your ability. To be the best at something, you have to visualize yourself doing it perfectly, and have confidence that you can do it. The same applies in basketball, if you want to play good defense, you have to expect that you will, and if you want to make every shot, you have to know that it will go in. In this post, I will explain how I used visualization and confidence to make myself better.

I like to visualize success when I play sports. The main sport that I play is soccer, and I try to visualize myself playing very well before a game because it gives me confidence. I have never tried visualizing success while playing basketball. Using what I learn from Basketball Shooting, I will try this technique. In the book Hopla says that you should visualize yourself making a shot in extreme detail using sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste (13). I have never tried visualizing something with this much intensity, but I completely understand how it could help you succeed and knock down shots while playing. In addition, Hopla states "Now see the hoop and more specifically the center of the hoop. This is your target. This is where you want the ball to go. Now see the ball falling through the hoop and swishing through the bottom of the net" (13). I decided to try this form of visualization before I took a shot.

This is where I looked as I visualized my shots going through the net



When attempting shots after seeing them and feeling them go in perfectly in my head, I felt much more confident. After visualizing this, when I shot the ball, I always expected it to be the perfect shot. Using this technique has definitely helped me make more shots and feel more confident when taking them.

Have you ever tried visualization?

Hopla, Dave. Basketball Shooting. Human Kinetics, 2012.

Basketball: Creating Your Own Shot

Some of the best basketball players in the world such as Kyrie Irving and John Wall are able to effectively score by using their handles and quickness to create a shot. To be a well rounded basketball player, it is important to only be able to shoot the basketball, but to get yourself in a situation where you will be able to get a good shot off

Here is a picture of John Wall getting into the paint and preforming a reverse layup under a defender



I am not a very good basketball player. But that is exactly why I am doing this blog. Before reading the techniques from basketball shooting, I had no good moves/skills to create my own shot. In the book, Hopla explains "The shot fake is a valuable weapon to add to your arsenal because every defender wants to block a shot... To execute a fake shot, start in a balanced, athletic stance with the knees bent. Lift the ball to you head while keeping your knees bent... This position allows you the option to either shoot the ball immediately if your defender doesn't react or to go to the hoop" (87). I have watched people like former NBA shooting guard Kobe Bryant pull off this move multiple times. I decided to learn how to do a shot fake. I practiced standing in front of my hoop and lifting the ball up to my head quickly. When I first practiced it, it felt slow and awkward but I kept working on the technique and it got quicker and more crisp. Hopla also says that jab stepping is a very effective move as well, as you can either shoot directly after or explode out of the move (97). I practiced this move as well until I could do it quickly and with good balance when exploding out of it. I attempted to use these moves a few times while playing a friend, and they were very effective, either giving me an open shot, or making my defender hesitate.

Here is a picture of me practicing a fake one handed layup



After learning these techniques to creating my own shot, I feel as if I compete at a much higher level when playing pickup games with people

What basketball moves do you recommended that I learn?

Hopla, Dave. Basketball Shooting. Human Kinetics, 2012.

Basketball: Free Throw Shooting

In basketball, when a player is fouled while taking a shot, they get free uncontested shots from the free throw line. Some professional players, can easily knock down these shots. Its automatic for these players as they shoot over 90 percent from the line. Others however struggle to make free throw shots, and shoot around 50 percent. I will attempt to improve my free throw shooting using the instruction of the book Basketball Shooting by Dave Hopla.

Here is a picture of James Harden shooting a free throw



I feel like I am pretty decent at free shots already. When I play a pickup game of 21, I make most of them. Although I feel like I'm decent, there is always room to improve. Players like James Harden are very skilled at shooting free shots, and i'm going to use tips from Basketball Shooting try and imitate his technique and calmness. In the book, Hopla says "One the feet are set, bend at the hips and knees to generate power for the free shot. When bending at the hips, being the head and shoulders down or forward so that the shoulders are in front of the feet and the head is in front of the shoulders" (37). I never knew that having your shoulders and head forward could help you make a free throw. Hopla also says that you should hold the ball on your finger and not your palm, and have your wrist wrinkled and cocked back (39). I have always cocked back my wrist and held the ball correctly, but I tried shooting free throws with the stance that Hopla recommended. At first, I was terrible, missing most of most shots. But after a while of free throws with my shoulders forward, I started making my shots, and I felt more balanced as I shot them.

Here is a picture of me setting my feet before a shot



Even though before I started I felt confident in my free shot shooting ability, these really helped me feel even more confident and stable when shooting them.

Have you ever shot a free shot in basketball? Was it in a game?

Hopla, Dave. Basketball Shooting. Human Kinetics, 2012.

Basketball: Three Point Shooting

Basketball is a very popular sport. The players that play in the NBA are some of the most skilled athletes in the world. You see players like Stephen Curry and James Harden knocking down shots easily and consistently from 25+ feet. The key to shooting lights out from deep is practicing good form, repetition, and power. In this post I will use the tips i learned from the book Basketball Shooting by Dave Hopla to improve my shot.

Here is a picture of Stephen Curry shooting a deep three pointer



I am very bad at shooting three pointers. My goal after practicing three pointers was not to be able to shoot like Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter is NBA history, but I wanted to be able to shoot threes and make some without air balling them. In the book Basketball Shooting, Dave Hopla suggests that no matter how far away from the basket you are, never change your form just generate more power from your legs before you shoot (59). Before, when shooting a three pointer, I tried to get all the power from my arms, which would only mess up my shooting form. But when I practiced keeping my form the same but using more leg power, my shots went further and were much more accurate. Hopla also states in the book "By taking a long stride, you will remain low and eliminate any dip and negative motion in your shot, thus speeding up the shot. Remember, you always want to shoot the ball low to high" (60). I practiced staying low and receiving the ball lower so I wouldn't have to slow down my shot by dipping the ball. I practiced this multiple times with the other techniques I learned. Overall, my three point shot has gotten much quicker and more accurate than before.

Here is a picture of me receiving the ball low on a three point shoot



After learning how to shoot a three pointer, I am a much more well rounded player than I was before
What was the last skill that you learned?


Hopla, Dave. Basketball Shooting. Human Kinetics, 2012.

Basketball: Shooting Technique

Probably the most important aspect of shooting a basketball is the shooting form/technique used. The greatest shooters of all time had a good form that they mastered over thousands of shots. I will use the tips from Basketball Shooting by Dave Hopla to hopefully perfect my shot.

Here is a picture of Klay Thompson, who has a perfect textbook shooting form.

 

I used the hoop outside my house in the front yard to practice. It is not exactly 10 feet like standard hoops, but it is close enough. My goal was to have a better shooting form similar to Klay Thompson's. I warmed up by putting up a few shots before I started. In Basketball Shooting, Hopla says that you need to keep you elbow beneath the ball and don't let it stick out because it will make your shot much less accurate (23). I tried this technique, keeping my elbow tucked in as I raised the ball to shoot it. It felt uncomfortable at first because I was not used to it, but after shooting around like this for a while, It felt more natural and my shots were more centered on the hoop. Hopla also states in the book "Now bring the ball back toward the head to form the letter L with the shooting arm... This L-shaped positioning is key. If you bend the shooting elbow too much and distort the L, you will be slinging the ball... By maintaining the L-shape, you will properly lift the ball" (23). I kept shooting, making sure to pay close attention to me arm positioning as I shot. After a while, I developed muscle memory to this shot and it felt more natural.

A picture of me practicing my arm placement.

I feel as if my shooting technique has gotten much better after using the tips that I learned from Basketball Shooting, as my shots are going in much more often. Read my other blog posts for more on basketball.

Have you ever practiced using good technique on something?

Hopla, Dave. Basketball Shooting. Human Kinetics, 2012.

How to get better at Basketball : Dribbling Techniques

 🏀Ball Handling & Dribbling🏀🏀

How to Get Better at Basketball

Ball handling and Dribbling are the foundation to a good basketball career. According to James Wilson , " Good ball handling means you have better control of the ball , which results in having a good foundation in shooting , passing or dribbling" (14)

🏀Triple Threat🏀

A tip James Wilson mentions in his book How to be better at basketball in 21 days is : To understand the triple threat stance

The triple threat position allows you to pass , shoot or dribble (hence the name). The triple threat position is when you are in a "crouched, athletic attack stance you have a firm grip on the ball on your dominant hip and eyes facing forward " (Wilson 14). Once you get this stance down you are a triple threat.

🏀Dribbling 🏀

Dribbling should be a second nature for basketball players especially guards. In James Wilson's book he emphasizes that you should not dribble the ball with your fingertips but with the palm of your hand.

In this clip , Alexis (Point Guard) is shown dribbling with her palm. As you can see it is very difficult for her too have CONTROL over the ball . 

When dribbling with her fingertips and palms the overall control of the ball is greater.

Another example of bad vs. good dribbling

 

As seen with these clips , correct dribbling and using good ball handling techniques can drastically improve your game.

Questions : 

Do you have any dribbling or ball handling tips ? 

Have or Do you play basketball ?

How to be better at basketball : Mental Conditioning

Knowing your Basketball Philosophy 

Before ever playing it is important to set a basketball philosophy that the team can look to and will follow throughout the season . In the book " How to be better at Basketball "it says " every basketball team in the world is led by a philosophy that reflects core ideas that lay at the heart of its foundation. This philosophy guides your decision making as a team ( Wilson, James Basketball ) ". The Kentridge Basketball program includes a packet for all the players before the playing season begins " The plan of a champion ". It includes : Athletic Attitude , Roles of the Coach, Player and Parent. The team commandments and life lessons for players , and in the back the most important section " My Plan of a Champion ". This plan helps me create a motto and goals to set , and a philosophy to follow throughout the season. With this it will help me have a better mindset and dedication while playing basketball. 

DO YOU have to do any mental conditioning before sports or extra-curricular activities?
DO YOU have a philosophy that you apply to your life ?

"My Fault"

Taking ownership decreases the amount of problems and complications that could arise if someone were to not take ownership. In Stuff Good Players Should Know, Dick DeVenzio talks about getting into the habit of taking the blame yourself when a mistake is made involving you and another teammate. By owning up to mistakes, it makes everyone feel better and it won't anger others.

DeVenzio explains that, there are too many times in a game where one makes a mistake and they happen to blame it on the other person, which leads to both of the players to be angry at each other and hardly prepared to work together to stop the other team from scoring. It is an immensely different feeling when one makes a mistake and takes ownership for the mistake and the other person takes the blame as well. When both players own up to the mistake, it makes the both of them determined to do better next time, pass better, and are prepared to play a good team defense in the meantime (DeVenzio 168). Taking the blame makes the court more of a positive environment to play in. If people are always negative, it won't do the team any good.

After reading about taking the blame, I realized that I should take ownership more often. So, I started to apologize to teammates if a mistake happens that involves me, and it didn't anger anyone. "This kind of attitude, of taking the blame yourself, does wonders for team morale and will help you win games" (DeVenzio 168). The author informs the readers that having a positive attitude will help you win games and will decrease the tension between teammates. Examples of taking ownership on the court are, "Sorry, bad pass," "My fault," etc. The list goes on. 

Overall, taking ownership is better than blaming others. It helps people learn from the mistake and move on. 

Do you take ownership in your mistakes? Why or why not?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. 3rd ed. Stafford, TX: PGC Basketball, 1983. Print.

Shot Fakes

         Shot Fakes are really simple, but are very effective on offense in many ways. However, it is important that your shot fake has good form so it actually looks like you are shooting, and not just pumping the ball up and down. DeVenzio states," A good shot- fake is a bend of the knees and a look at the rim with the ball cocked at the chin. From that position you can do anything- shoot, drive into the basket or throw a quick pass. It is a mistake to go through the upward motion of the ball" (90). Before I read STUFF Good Players Should Know, I would fake like I am going to shoot with my whole body. It was really slow and didn't even look like I was shooting- the defense never fell for it. Also, I was off balance, because I would shot fake really fast and stand straight up. Now, I stay low and look at the basket, and keep the ball at my chin as if I was going to shoot. In this position, I am able to do more moves after the defense reacts to the shot fake, and the shot fake looks like I am about to shoot.

         Shot Fakes don't make the defense jump all the time, but they are still  efficient. In the right position, faking a shot will gain you an advantage if the defense doesn't go for it. During a shot fake, if the defender doesn't react, you can just shoot it since you are already in position (DeVenzio 90).  Shot fakes help a lot when I get the ball, because it helps me determine what the defender is like. If they don't react or move, I shoot. If they do react, I drive or pass in out. Before I used shot fakes, I didn't know what to do with a defender in front of me- Should I just drive? Is she close enough to block my shot if I shoot it? Now, I know how to read the defense and what moves I need to do to help my team be successful.

What are some other things you can do on offense? What moves do you do to read the defense better?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. Victoria, TX: PGC Basketball, 2014. Print.

Bullet Passes vs. Lobs and Bounce Passes

          Passing is one of the most important parts of basketball. If you had a team with people who couldn't pass, you wouldn't be able to score and definitely wouldn't win a game.  There are different passes used for different situations that DeVenzio explains in STUFF Good Players Should Know.

          "Everyone knows that bounce passes are good passes to throw inside to a man posting up, or to a cutter going back door, or perhaps on a 2-on-1 fast break, but a lot of players don't seem to realize that a bounce on the perimeter is a careless pass.  It takes longer to arrive and, therefore gives a defender a better chance for an interception" (DeVenzio 48). In games, I try to pass to the posts in the paint a lot, but didn't use bounce passes. When I started using bounce passes instead of bullet passes, it was harder for the defense to steal the ball and my team was able to score. Even though bullet passes work, I think bounce passes are a better option, especially when used with a ball fake.

       
     
       Although Lobs are great for a back door cut,  they are not a good pass on the perimeter with no defender in between you. If there is no defender, always use a bullet pass. Lobs and Bounce passes are only used to throw under or over people (DeVenzio 48-49). I tend to turnover the ball when I lob the ball to my teammate, because it is a lot slower than a bullet pass and the defense is able to steal it. With bullet passes, the ball gets passed faster, and the person receiving the ball has more options. When I get a bullet pass, the ball is already in my shooting pocket, rather than getting a lob and not being prepared to shoot. After reading this portion of Stuff Good Players Should Know, I realized that I should always use bullet passes unless I am throwing a back door cut, or passing it into the posts.

How is passing important in other sports? What passes do you use in different situations?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. Victoria, TX: PGC Basketball, 2014. Print.

The Use of One Dribble

          Many basketball players try to show off with impressive dribbling skills, like dribbling the ball behind the back or in between the legs as much as they can. But showing off doesn't always help you score and doesn't help  win important games.  In STUFF Good Players Should Know, DeVenzio  stresses that you only need one dribble to make a great play; too many dribbles cause turn overs because it gives the defense time to get in position to steal the ball (76).  Throughout my basketball career, I've noticed that the higher level I play at, the harder it is to dribble through other players. Even with different moves, better players can steal the ball if I dribble too much. Using one dribble to get to the basket or to shoot the ball made it so I can get an easier pass or a better shot, so the defense couldn't recover.  To get used to staying low and pounding the ball so I can get farther with one dribble, I do dribbling drills with weighted gloves, shown in the picture below.

        Another asset of using one dribble is that it is a lot faster, and the defense doesn't expect it.  "One dribble is explosive, and one dribble does not signal the defense. By the time the defenders see a need to alter position, you are already shooting"(DeVenzio 75).  This tip has helped me get the the hoop more often. When I use one dribble, the defender reacts after I get by them, so they are already behind me by the time I get to the basket. When I use more than one dribble, the defender is able tip the ball from behind me, because they have more time to recover.  If you play basketball, try this in practice, or at the gym during a pick-up game. I guarantee that you 'll be able to get to the basket easier, rather than trying to dribble too much around the defender. 

What are some other ways to get by your defender in other sports? What are some other ways to get to the basket?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. Victoria, TX: PGC Basketball, 2014. Print.

Communication

Communication is an important component to obtain in the real world, but to be specific, it is a prime aspect in basketball. Talking keeps a team organized, able to be coordinated in its activities and assures that everyone is working as a unit to prevent indecisiveness (DeVenzio 243). In Stuff Good Players Should Know, Dick DeVenzio shares the importance of communicating with who you are working with to achieve a goal because it is helping each other verbally.

In basketball, communicating huge to teamwork. "Talking ends any possible confusion that may arise.. Talking, even saying the obvious, helps you win games" (DeVenzio 243). Communicating with your teammates stops the pace of your team from slowing down and brings up the intensity. DeVenzio enhanced that getting in the habit of communicating will make a big difference.

I am writing about communication because when I came across this part of the book, it made me realize that it is better to talk more than to not to talk at all. I took DeVenzio's advice to talk more to my teammates during the action and it helps a lot. I have been communicating more on the court by calling out who I am guarding, letting them know when a screen is coming, saying to cut through the lane, etc. It has prevented the other team from scoring and has helped our team score more. 

Not only is it good to communicate in basketball, but it is also important to communicate in everything else that you do. By letting someone know what is occurring, it will prevent complications and confusions. Basketball is a sport that teaches many life lessons that are needed in the real world, and communication is one of them. I hope you guys take this into consideration to communicate more with the people around you because it will prevent confusion, indecisiveness, and curiosity.

Have you ever experienced a time when you realized you should have spoke up? When was it?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. 3rd ed. Stafford, TX: PGC Basketball, 1983. Print.

Nervousness

Being nervous is a normal and common feeling anyone may encounter. In Stuff Good Players Should Know, Dick DeVenzio explains to us that every basketball player experiences nervousness and it is totally usual, but every player should embrace the nervousness. He tells the reader, "Be nervous, enjoy the fact that you have a game to play, a contest to win, a challenge to confront, that is right out in the open, in front of people who care whether you succeed or fail" (DeVenzio 170). What he means by telling the readers to be nervous is that it's good to be nervous because it shows that you choose to battle hard for wins while knowing that you have a chance of losing (DeVenzio 171). 

Nervousness is a big part of an athlete's life. DeVenzio says, "The next time you get that nervous feeling, you ought to recognize it as the great opportunity... and say to yourself, 'Here's the nervous feeling, that hope-and-fear quality that makes playing sports such a special opportunity. I'm not going to hide from it... I'm nervous. Great. Just what I wanted'" (DeVenzio 171). He says to acknowledge the nervousness because of the opportunity behind it. 

I chose to write about this part of the book because I feel like I experience nervousness before every game, tryout, and even sometimes before practices. After reading this in the book, it made me realize that it's normal to be nervous, and that I shouldn't let the nervousness scare me. 

I learned that you can let the nervousness break you down, or you can just enjoy it. So, now when I'm nervous, I choose to enjoy the nervousness and not worry about it. Reading this has really inspired me to be less scared while playing basketball and just embrace the feeling of being nervous. Some ways I can cope with nervousness when I can't find a way to enjoy it is to just keep calm and play how I am supposed to play. Also, I can take deep breaths and do what I have to do to help win. 

So overall, nervousness is something that shouldn't be something to hold someone back from doing the things they do. Nervousness is just showing you that you have an opportunity to win.

Have you ever encountered nervousness? How did you react to it?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. 3rd ed. Stafford, TX: PGC Basketball, 1983. Print.

Correcting Defensive Skills

          One of the most important  aspects of basketball is defense.  In my opinion, stopping the other team from scoring is more important than how much  you score on offense.  To be a good defender, I always think about staying low, keeping my arms wide, and staring at the other player's waist to track their movements. But even then, that isn't enough; you can still get fouls from reaching to get a steal, even if  it  just looked like you did.
          A way to prevent getting fouls called on steals is keeping up palms on defense, or KUP. Basketball players get unnecessary fouls from reaching with their palms facing the floor for dribbles and trying to swat at shots  (DeVenzio 145).  I have noticed that in games I tend to reach in and try to steal the ball, always with my palms facing the floor, and get called for the foul almost every time. These fouls are useless and don't help me at all, and the more I get, the sooner I get seated on the bench... But, when I kept my palms facing the ceiling, I saw that I could reach in, and not get the foul called, even if I didn't end up stealing the ball anyways. I think part of the reason why refs don't call it as much is because you aren't swatting the ball down, it looks more like a tip to yourself. This tip helped me play a lot better defense, and not getting as many fouls as I used to.

          Another way KUP is helpful and better for your defensive stance is because it helps with your balance. "KUP will also help you stay on balance and in good position on defense. The habit of reaching palms- down causes you to lunge and put all your weight forward, and then get beaten. But reaching palms-up does not cause this same tendency. A down-swatting motion tends to throw your body off -balance while an up-swatting motion keeps your body on balance" (DeVenzio 146).  When i tried this in practice and games, I realized that when I try to steal with my palms facing up, I could recover faster and not get beat on defense. With my palms down, my weight shifts  while I lunge, and the offensive player is able to run past me. Balance is an important aspect of defense, so you don't get crossed and fall.  Now when I play defense, I can get really close to the person I am guarding, and not worry about getting beat, even if she is faster than me. Using KUP and getting all up in the offensive player's bubble makes them uncomfortable, and forces a turnover. KUP  is a simple way to improve you defensive stance and is a great way to become an amazing defender. If you play basketball, I encourage you to try this , and see how it impacts you.

What are some other tips or major keys you need to become a great defender? How is a basketball defensive stance different or the same as another sport's defensive stance?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. Victoria, TX: PGC Basketball, 2014. Print.

Mentally Resilient

It is known that in many sports, players are needed to be physically tough. But not only do they have to be physically tough, they also have to be mentally tough. There are many people who are not mentally tough. It is hard for people to have mental toughness if they are focusing on their mistakes or the negative things that could happen, rather than being resilient and doing their best. Mental toughness is a mental habit that becomes a part of your pride and identity. Having mental toughness is a must-have for encounters in everyone's daily lives (DeVenzio 164). 

In Stuff Good Players Should Know, Dick DeVenzio points out that mental toughness is a key aspect of basketball and life as well. He explains that even if a player is very skillful, they aren't as great of a player if they aren't mentally tough. He encourages players to have mental toughness. "Develop a noble quality of mind. Learn to do your best quietly, methodically, without regard for tiny problems and adverse conditions. There are players who ignore all the negatives and give... everything they do their best shot... That is what every player should strive for" (DeVenzio 164).

I chose to write about mental toughness because I am sometimes not so mentally tough myself. After reading this part in the book, I contemplated on how mentally tough I am and I realized that I need to improve on it. So, I started to focus less on the negative parts and my mistakes when I am playing basketball. Instead of being upset about messing up, making excuses, or letting minor problems get to me, I choose to think about things that I can do to improve and resolve the problems. It is challenging, yet so amazing to have an opportunity to be on a varsity team with all of the players being so talented. It's challenging because it means that I get less playing time than everyone else on the team, but it's magnificent to be on this team because by being on such a talented team I can see my teammates as motivation for me to work harder to improve on the court. 

I have drastically improved on my mental toughness. There are things that are able to lower my confidence, and I used to let them get to me. But now, I realized that I can just use those things to work around the obstacles and inspire me to be more resilient and hardworking. Being mentally tough has really enhanced the way I play. It has helped me be less shy on the court and not be upset about my mistakes. By thinking more positively, it has made me feel better about the way I play. Being mentally tough is very important.

When have you needed to be mentally tough? How were you tough?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. 3rd ed. Stafford, TX: PGC Basketball, 1983. Print.

Dancing In Basketball

"Good is the enemy of great" is a quote said by Jim Collins. A person can be good at the things they do, but shouldn't be satisfied with just being good. They should strive to being great. There are many things that a basketball player, or anyone, can work on to becoming a better competitor. In Stuff Good Players Should Know, by Dick DeVenzio, the author informs the reader different things a player can do to step up their game. Even extremely talented players don't do all the "little things" that are listed in the book. I chose to read this book because I have played basketball for most of my life. Reading this book has been an eye opener to many things that I should be doing while playing, because they will give me opportunities to improve the way I play.

You might think the title is unusual, dancing in basketball? Yeah, I said it, dancing in basketball. This "dance" should be done by all basketball players, no matter what position they play. In the book Stuff Good Players Should Know, Dick DeVenzio states, "Dance is a word used to refer to a simple four-step routine that should be an every-time habit of all defenders when a shot goes up" (DeVenzio 65). DeVenzio explains how this technique of the "dance" is a very convenient thing to do while on defense, and rebounding is a major part of being on the court. The "dance" he teaches the reader is four steps. The steps include:

"1. Hand up, yell hey!
 2. Turn around and block out
 3. Move toward the basket
 4. Fast break" (DeVenzio 65).

This process can be used from all players, even the players who normally do not rebound. By using this technique, it will prevent players who fail to go towards the ball, and who are in the habit of standing and watching, from losing tipped balls they could get during games (DeVenzio 65).

After reading this, I really took his advice into consideration. While scrimmaging during practice, I remember the four steps and it has enhanced the way I play. Though I am normally the smallest girl on the court, playing against girls who are 6 feet tall, this strategy is still achievable. By using this technique, it can increase the amount of rebounds, assists, and points I can get. No matter how tall a player is or what position they play, anyone can do this and it will really change the way a game goes. If everyone on a team were to do this "dance", it should lead to persistence and will help the team execute better. Whenever I grab the rebound, I am always transitioning fast to look up the court to see if any of my teammates have beaten the opponent down the court for an easy fast break. Or, if my teammate has already grabbed the rebound, I sprint down the court so I am visible for a pass to score off a fast break.

As you can see, in this picture I am blocking out my teammate at practice who is 6'4, after a shot has gone up. But, height does not matter when it comes to putting in an effort to grab a rebound. Anyone can do something that isn't their typical thing to do because eventually it will become normal to that person.

Do you do a simple routine when it comes to doing your favorite activity, what is it?
How does height impact activities you do and how do you work around it?

DeVenzio, Dick. Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball from A to Z. 3rd ed. Stafford, TX: PGC Basketball, 1983. Print.

Team Leadership in Basketball

               Basketball is a very complex sport. There is more to it than just dribbling a ball up and down the court to score.  To be a great player, it takes a lot of commitment and hard work. But to be an amazing player, you have to be able to lead a team in any position you are in. In the book Runnin' the Show: Basketball Leadership for Coaches and Players by Dick DeVenzio, I am learning how to be a  leader on the court and features I need to become a better leader. By the end of my reading, I hope I could develop to be an amazing player through leadership and developing my game with drills and skills to work on.

               "Leadership does not mean one player barking out commands and the rest of the team waiting to carry them out. A true leader empowers everyone else to lead so that leadership is shared and spread among all members of the team" (DeVenzio 116). DeVenzio made me realize that to truly lead a team, you have to be encouraging to your teammates and always show that you believe in their abilities and have their best interest at heart. When teammates know you want them to succeed, it gives them more confidence in their game. During the season, I talked to my teammates about what they do good in games, and that really helped my team communicate more during games and lead as a whole, not just one person.

               Even if there is no designated captain, you can still take on leadership responsibilities by reminding teammates, encouraging, communicating, and hustling (DeVenzio 116).  This showed me that anyone has the chance to be a leader, not just one person on the team. Based on how hard you work and the way you  talk to your teammates/coach determines if  you are a leader and if you set a good example for your team. Now, I am starting to encourage my teammates more and cheering them on when they do something good, and that has made me closer with my teammates. Even though there is no captain on my AAU team, by being encouraging towards my teammates and always going at 100%, I can be a a good leader for my teammates to look up to.

How have you shown leadership in a sport? What are some other attributes to be a leader?

DeVenzio, Dick. Runnin' the Show: Basketball Leadership for Coaches and Players. Belton, TX: PGC Basketball, 2006. Print.