There Is Always A Higher Level.

Good Monday!

We finally had a little break from the frigid weather the last couple days- it climbed way up into the 30's- wha hoo!

I know this is a basketball blog but what a great Superbowl. Both teams made some big plays and the athletes came out to shine. Even though Arizona lost I am so impressed with the athleticism of Fitzgerald. He is a stud athlete. The one thing I like about him is he takes his training and practicing serious. This is kind of a personal statement but I loved hearing his interview a while back and he talked about how as a high school kid he stayed away from the drinking and drugs. He focused on playing sports and staying out of the bad stuff. It hit home with me because that was how I was. I never even tasted alcohol until I was 22 years old- it is all about choices and Larry Fitzgerald made some great ones. I wish more emphasis would be put on that aspect of his life so young people would listen and follow in his footsteps.

Weekly Basketball Tip: Attacking the defenders shoulder

Purpose: To get young players to be physical and strong when making an offensive move past a defender.

Action: A drill can be set up many different ways. It can be one on one. It can be one on one plus a passer with the offensive player having to use cuts to get open, or any other combination of drills. The focus is on the offensive player catching the ball in triple threat and attacking the defenders lead shoulder (if the defender is square then pick a side). But have a strong long first step to create a seal, drive the shoulders forward, and rub off the defenders shoulder with the guard arm leading the way to seal off the defender. LEARN TO INITIAL CONTACT SO YOU ARE READY FOR IT. When you go weak past a defender and there is contact usually the you get knocked off line. So make contact by driving the shoulder and guard arm past the defender.

Drilling it: Perform 4 dribble drive moves past the defender in 5 different spots on the floor (corner, wing, key, opposite wing, and opposite corner). Make sure you can attack either side equally as well. GOOD LUCK AND WORK HARD!

Higher Level

Yesterday a friend of mine and I took our daughters to an open scrimmage at a basketball academy in Indianapolis. It was for 3rd-8th graders and it was mixed boys and girls and ages. It was outstanding. It was the first time my daughter and my friends daughter played against really good ball players. That was my motive from the beginning. I want my daughter to see what real basketball is. I want her to know what it is like to compete against aggressive players who know how to play the game. She go all of that and more.

Many of you might be thinking how tough could the scrimmage have been if there were 3rd graders mixed in. Let me tell you. These 3rd graders GOT GAME! They were crossing over, going through the legs and ATTACKING the hoop- something our girls are not use to seeing in our little school.

The point of the post is that if you want to get to the next level you have to visit the next level. You have to get involved with the players at the next level. Learn the speed of the game. I wanted our 2 girls to get pushed around and see how they responded. They both were shocked at first- but then they started to realize; either compete or get eaten alive. They did.

What was nice is that they both realized their skills have to improve and their confidence to use those skills has to be stronger. You can't be afraid to compete.

My encouragement to you is to find better competition all the time. If you players are playing at the same talent level or lesser talent they will never reach the high level. Sometimes it is difficult to find better players depending on where you live but you can always have slightly older players come down and play with your kids every now and again. Ask the older kids to work on their weaknesses so they get a good workout as well.

The most important question I asked my daughter and was anxious to hear her response was; would you want to go back and do it again? She said with no hesitation- YES! If she had said no I would not have pushed her. I would have let her come to me and when and if she was ready.

Good luck getting your team and players to the next level.

Play Hard,

Lee

PS: Go to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/ so you can start receiving "The Game Plan" Newsletter. It is full of great information and easy to take with you on trips or to practice.