eMPTy: devoid of at least something. No fuel to go to the places you want to go.   Nowadays it seems, nobody knows which way to go anyway.  Sure there are basketball gurus on every corner; all with their dizzying “world is coming to an end mantras” about basketball.  Do we dare trust what  they say. Most giving information  freely, but not always for free.

Oftentimes it’s very difficult to decipher between the facts and fiction.  Since there is no diamond without MPT (right Materials, proper Pressure and ample Time), it is critical to attach to some type of verification model, if you plan on shining.  If the information you are receiving is not verifiable , your information  is only the stock understanding of your source– coach, trainer or whomever the person is helping you.   Even hold the things you’ve done yourself  to the test.  Take shooting, for example:  If the ball doesn’t typically return to your shooting hand after a made-shot, then it’s a good chance your shot is not mathematically sound or “clean.”  The ball will generally filter out of the basket, exactly opposite of how it enters.

If what you’re  doing in the gym isn’t moving you toward optimizing your skills sets, then you are the victim of an eMPTy workout … and nothing works out on empty. These type workouts are merely empty promises of how much better you’re going to become — at some point.  In these scenarios, everyone is giving all they have to give.  It’s simply that not everyone is  equipped to get you to a higher place, let alone a high enough level to satisfy your hoop dreams.  Of course, if you are a level 10 performer (a beginner), then there are ample environments in which you can get better. The truth is… the higher you progress up the scale as a player, lets say to  level 40, 50 or beyond, the harder it will be to find people to help you.

At the professional level, players (at level 70 or higher) have an even tougher time finding opportunities to get better.  It’s tough  because “everybody” has a workout to share, but not necessarily a sound model for growth.  So quite often that’s just what happens– the player gets worked out. Unless the workout is based on the math of basketball play, it’s most likely not an optimization model. Anything less does not offer the 100th percentile of function.  Not that any player is at that level; but it’s certainly something guys like Kobe, Lebron and other  already ridiculous (level 80 types ?) need to move their skill sets forward.  How highly “machine-like” are you?  Are your defaults set for consistent and “clean” performance?

So the question is… are you growing at the gym or  just going to the gym?  Just going to the gym doesn’t make you a top player.   If you’re a top player… when was the last time you experienced “chartable” growth as a player?  So what if you’re all-conference.  What’s wrong with being conference MVP?   You’re in the league already?  Ok.  What’s wrong with being an all-star or all-pro then?  Oh …you are?  Well, you’re the s**t!   But don’t you want to become a hall-of-famer?

Don’t get me wrong.   A workout is great for maintaining what you have and staying sharp.  But in the end, it’s just a routine.   Live in the gym- if you can.   Just make sure you spend time in the “Lab” as well, with someone who can feed you more than just the ball.

 

Tags: Personal Training (basketball)

This entry was posted on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 7:11 pm and is filed under Blogs, New Posts, News, Personal Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.