Mid-Summer Update!
As the summer hits the half way point, I know we are all involved in many fun activities, but as a basketball player and coach, what should we be doing? The great thing about basketball is that you can work on so many individual skills on your own throughout the summer. Make sure you spend enough time working on your weaknesses, but don't forget your strengths as well. If you can spend 5 days a week doing at least one drill a day, maybe do 3 days of weaknesses and 2 of strengths. Where can you get individual drills? Of course check on our site for our coach's ideas. Also, most towns and school districts offer 1 week basketball camps that are inexpensive and convenient. Even if you pick up one drill at these camps it will help when it comes time for basketball season in the fall/winter. For you coaches and parents, even if your child is not involved in travel teams, AAU, camps or summer leagues, you can still take them to see games so your younger players can see higher levels of play. Be sure to point out different things, and not just the dunks and no look passes. I tell my players sometimes to watch how the first player off the bench plays when they come in, do they look to change the game with their offense or their defense? As a coach, watch what teams do out of time outs and end of periods. Maybe you will pick up tips on how to manage your games when the time comes. Dean Smith once told me at a clinic that when he scouted great players, he always found himself scouting the way a coach on all levels managed the game and took little things back to apply to his teams as well. The more you put into off season work, the more you will get out of the upcoming season!
