OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

[BTB]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

If there are a lot of people playing 1st game will be to 13 w/ 1's & 2's. Last game is usually to 16.

Playing w/ no 2's is terrible. The 3 point line helps to spread the court and prevent everyone from standing in the middle. Helps to open up the post game for your bigs.

We play with no 2's at Maryland but everyone still shoot them lol. That's my game actually.

[BTB]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I used to be the same way growing up in 7th, 8th and 9th grade. I would kill my teammates in practice in Middle School and AAU, but when gametime rolled around, I would get mad nervous. It effected every aspect of my game... ballhandling, shooting, passing, constant mental errors. My knees and hands would shake during timeouts it was so bad. On top of that, any confidence I built up from practicing would all disappear because of my poor game performance. I basically was playing in survival mode in each game, playing purely off of instincts and adrenaline, not wanting to make mistakes, but at the same time not making any plays. It was horrible. I loved the game but my nerves just got the best of me.

Finally, summer of 10th grade, something just clicked. I was playing summer-league with our varsity squad, just got done with a semi-finals game, where I was nervous to the point of being sick. It was summer league, so we had the finals game in another two hours and I went out to my car and laid the seat back and tried to clear my head. Staring at the felt roof of the car, I got mad. I hated the way I felt after that game, I didn't want to play in the finals, but I couldn't punk out on my team. I kept sitting there, trying to mentally prepare myself, but it wasn't working. I slid my seat up, put the key in the ignition, turned on the car, drove out the parking lot, went a block, changed my mind, turned around, parked in the same parking spot and walked straight into the gym and played one of the most memorable games of my life.

My stats weren't earth-shattering, I might have had a double double with a few blocks, assists and steals, I can't really remember. The thing I do remember, though, is starting off the game really angry and in a "F*** This" attitude. I was to the point I would have taken someone down if they drove to the basket near me. I went for every rebound, I hustled, I went up strong with my shots. If I was open, I would shoot it. If I wasn't, I passed. I was literally a basketball robot. I was waiting for someone to chew me out so I could snap on them, but nobody did. I was just playing ball the way I knew how, the way I had been practicing for years. It just clicked all of the sudden in this very strange way.

Ever since then, nerves haven't been a problem for me. I started hitting shots late in games, wasn't intimidated by anyone (actually, that's a lie. Neefy Moffett, FSU's defensive end destroyed me with a bull rush one game... but that's an extreme situation), and developed a sort of hidden confidence I had never had before. I don't remember having another game like that where I was so mentally frustrated, so it's not that attitude that helped me change. It's just the realization that if I played within my limits, hustled, was a good teammate and played with a purpose that I would be playing basketball the right way, regardless of the competition.

Obviously you will run into guys who are better than you, who can shut you down on defense, then blow past you on offense... but that's part of the game. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes and don't get too excited about making a great play. Keep the emotions steady and don't be afraid to miss a shot or turn the ball over.


This is basically a long-winded version of what 24th said in two sentences. Don't worry about the results, just put forth your best effort and play the game.

Yeah that actually worked for me too. You have to figure out a way to channel your energy and turn it into focus. For me it was similar to you, just getting pissed. I realized I knew the game of basketball better than 90% of the people out there and I hated losing, so I just went out there with the attitude I was going to f*** up the other team.

[bball_1523]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

how do you all feel when you make a big mistake or turnover in a competitive game? How do you cope with the feelings and not get mentally shaken from your focus?

[Marino]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

how do you all feel when you make a big mistake or turnover in a competitive game? How do you cope with the feelings and not get mentally shaken from your focus?

I just say, time to get back on defense.

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I think I read that somebody plays at NC State sometimes. Do you play at a campus gym?

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

how do you all feel when you make a big mistake or turnover in a competitive game? How do you cope with the feelings and not get mentally shaken from your focus?

Don't got time to cope if it's a close *** game going on. Just gotta move on and make up for it.

[Marino]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I think I read that somebody plays at NC State sometimes. Do you play at a campus gym?

I did. I played alot at Carmichael Gym. But I doubt I will play there anymore.

[VDusen04]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Sometimes, but for the most part I like trying to kill someone else's will. The best is when someone switches up on you after you have dogged the original defender for a couple of buckets.

I love when this happens. Basketball is fun.

[ehh]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I have a new pet peeve to add to my list...

When the level of run isn't all that great (that's the only time I've seen this happen) and the *******es on the court are deciding what to use for a game ball and they pick a $20 outdoor ball over a $70 indoor ball - and honestly think it's a better ball.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I think I read that somebody plays at NC State sometimes. Do you play at a campus gym?

I do, but I never mentioned it in here. We should go out there and hoop it up.

[KG]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

I have a new pet peeve to add to my list...

When the level of run isn't all that great (that's the only time I've seen this happen) and the *******es on the court are deciding what to use for a game ball and they pick a $20 outdoor ball over a $70 indoor ball - and honestly think it's a better ball.

LOL, I have a friend who is obsessed with which ball to use.

Anyone else notice how the new Top Flights feel kinda small?

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Man I absolutely HATE in and out Shots with a Passion.

[bball_1523]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Man I absolutely HATE in and out Shots with a Passion.

are talking about those that look like they might go in, but swirl inside and pop out?

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Yep.

[tehova]

Re: OS Hoopers....What are your balling tips?

Tips from my grandad:

always deny your man the ball on the inbound (halfcourt inbounds of course)

unless he jordan aint nobody forcing the ball to him, when their are other options who aren't closely guarded.

in my prime my game mimicked Eddie Jones (but at 6'1) Lakers version

and my game now is current Eddie Jones, bombed out and depleted.

all my hops died with the tendinitis, I'm a shooter, but the knee pain keeps me from being able to flash through the lane to catch passes. to get me involved u basically have to just throw it to me on the wing, all that running off screens is a wrap.

on defense I guard big men because nobody wants to pass the ball in the post, and I can just ball deny until they go somewhere else with it.