The Sky's the Limit
Individual Summer Basketball Objectives
The summer is when good players work to be great. What goals have you set for next winter? Are you seeking to garner more playing time? Are you looking to be a top player in your program, maybe even in your league? Are you seeking league honors or maybe state honors? As your middle and high school eligibility speeds by, are you looking to play at the next level? How will you get there? There are many ways to improve your skill level and shooting, but you must formulate a plan. Any goal(s) you set are your own personal barometer. They can be low or they can be challenging, maybe even beyond challenging. They are yours and no one else’s. No one can tell you your limits. Write down these goals and keep them handy. Maybe written on a poster in your bedroom, texted on your phone, or scrolled in your personal diary or notebook. Sill, at my age, I start most every day with my yellow notepad and my blue Bic pen. I write my goals for the day or maybe even some long term objectives.
The summer is the time for pickup outdoor basketball. Are you a regular at the blacktop courts? Most high school teams participate in a summer league and hold team practices. Does your coaching staff spend time on individual skill development or spend a majority of time on team activities? If it’s the former, how are you going to put in the time to improve your individual skill development and shooting consistency at the levels needed to reach your written goals? Do you have a mentor or a knowledgeable coach who can assist you with skill development and shooting mechanics? Someone who can give you honest feedback? Basketball camps and clinics can also be beneficial, but only if the players take home and implement the methods and philosophies they hear from a wide variety of outstanding coaches and demonstrators.
What will you do to improve your physical conditioning, speed, and strength? A solid conditioning program can help you achieve these goals. It’s hard to be at the top when you can’t go 100% for 32/40 minutes if necessary. I find, as a coach, that most players lose peak in-season conditioning levels after about 2 weeks post season. The summer is when good players work to be great!
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