When most people think of making the team, they envision themselves knocking down shots all over the floor and having everyone holla—-“I see you.” If that’s the case, you’ll probably make the team. However, outside of such a Kevin Durant style scoring expo, here are a few ways to impact the coaches and give yourself a shot to make the team– without making a shot.
Nia Jackson is a former All-Pac 12 guard at the University of Oregon. Before her injury she was one of the most explosive players in the country. I was able to spend three days (12 hours) with her in the “Lab” recently . Nia has been working hard to rehab a knee injury suffered against the University of Washington last season. Physically she is about 60 percent and is limited to what she is permitted to do on the court. The good news is she was still able to add to her PTAG –Physical, Technical, Application (Intellectual) and Grit (Emotional) development, because “Virtual” growth isn’t necessarily a physical process.
Slow doesn’t mean SLOW…it means SLOOWER, at least enough to stop ANYTIME after you start your motion forward. For starters, effective use of the push (back) and control (front) foot is essential. I talk in greater detail about that in “Foot Control is Quite the Feet” (Article 2), “We Can Build You” and “Can You Handle It” in the book- “The Virtual Game of Basketball”It doesn’t matter whether you happen to use them the right way by chance or understand how to use them intentionally. In order to control yourself inside each frame of movement you must establish or “ready” your push foot as soon as possible and be prepared to skim your control foot forward through the entire step (prepared to stop instantly– if necessary). Read more »
Standing out against top players in basketball may perhaps be tougher than finding a needle in the mountains of Afghanistan or a doomsday leader hiding down the street from a military base in Pakistan.However, decisively less of a challenge with some type of guide that can get you there. Trouble is most players (particularly Do-Howers) aren’t too interested in any directions or road maps. They’re generally convinced they know how to get there — if they don’t already “know”… in their own brain. Trust me on this one (phff)…that’s the wrong know how.
