Basketball Advice

[For The Win]

First off, if this belongs in a different forum let me know I searched around and couldn't find an appropriate place so I thought I should put it here.

Any tips for high school try-outs?

[mikenoob]

Re: Basketball Advice

You shouldn't have to go up to the coach to tell him you belong on the varsity team. You gotta make the plays on the court to impress them.

[Blzer]

Re: Basketball Advice

I just want to say that I don't know what kind of personality or work ethic you have, so I can't speak on that.

However, I'm coaching a softball team this fall season, and in the spring I will be coaching a JV team for the high school where most of my players are from. Anyway, during practices, I seem to have a couple of those "schmoes." They are kind of above the rest of the team, they stretch their arms a couple times and make a few tosses and say they're warm, and if they're not hitting during batting practice, they are just socializing in the outfield (balls hit five feet to either side of them go right by them without any sort of attempt to field it).

I don't want these players on my team. I don't even want them on my fall ball team. Unfortunately, they are varsity players, and the varsity coach is my assistant for this fall season. He won't let me bench or cut them, especially if I want to coach for the spring. What I don't want, however, is for the way they go about things to rub off on any other players, especially the youngsters I will coach in the spring.

In short, they're uncoachable. Not only that, but if they won't put out the effort during practices and show that they're truly motivated to get better under my wing, then I don't want them on my team. I'm not saying you're that kind of person, but maybe the coach felt that the people who spent $300 to work out during the summer under him show him how committed they are to him 100% of the way. If I feel that a player has fundamental flaws that I can correct, and they are willing to see me for correction, I will take them on my team over some egotistical hot shot chick who has numbers on paper.

Maybe this is where he's coming from, that's all I'm saying.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

You shouldn't have to go up to the coach to tell him you belong on the varsity team. You gotta make the plays on the court to impress them.

The thing is the coach only seems to watch the players that have gone to his camp. One kid who made the team had his parents pay the coach $3,000 so that he could play. The kid that backed me up in 8th grade made the team. I just need some way to get the coach's attention so that when I make the plays, he will watch them.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

I just want to say that I don't know what kind of personality or work ethic you have, so I can't speak on that.

However, I'm coaching a softball team this fall season, and in the spring I will be coaching a JV team for the high school where most of my players are from. Anyway, during practices, I seem to have a couple of those "schmoes." They are kind of above the rest of the team, they stretch their arms a couple times and make a few tosses and say they're warm, and if they're not hitting during batting practice, they are just socializing in the outfield (balls hit five feet to either side of them go right by them without any sort of attempt to field it).

I don't want these players on my team. I don't even want them on my fall ball team. Unfortunately, they are varsity players, and the varsity coach is my assistant for this fall season. He won't let me bench or cut them, especially if I want to coach for the spring. What I don't want, however, is for the way they go about things to rub off on any other players, especially the youngsters I will coach in the spring.

In short, they're uncoachable. Not only that, but if they won't put out the effort during practices and show that they're truly motivated to get better under my wing, then I don't want them on my team. I'm not saying you're that kind of person, but maybe the coach felt that the people who spent $300 to work out during the summer under him show him how committed they are to him 100% of the way. If I feel that a player has fundamental flaws that I can correct, and they are willing to see me for correction, I will take them on my team over some egotistical hot shot chick who has numbers on paper.

Maybe this is where he's coming from, that's all I'm saying.

The players whom you mentioned taking plays off represent me or the kids who made it? I honestly feel that I put in more work than everyone on any level at that school. I lift every day and get up at a minimum of 500 shots a day from behind the arc. Whatever the coach wants me to do I'll do it whether it be play point guard or try to defend Dwight Howard under the basket. The reason I wasn't able to go to the camp was because my uncle died in another country.

[Blzer]

Re: Basketball Advice

Oh yeah, the second thing I wanted to say is that you can't outplay politics. That's a part of youth sports. I never made an All Star team in little league baseball because I wasn't ever a coach's kid. Hell, I was from a different city. My senior year of high school, the other outfielders and I got rotated for who wouldn't start a game because an upcoming sophomore's daddy was childhood friends with the coach. And then, of course, you might see some bribery as well.

It's unfair, but it's life. Some people are serious enough to play their sport that they switch schools. Maybe you should do that, then show up that coach when you play them during the season.

EDIT: I was referring to you, but apparently you're not that kind of person.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

Oh yeah, the second thing I wanted to say is that you can't outplay politics. That's a part of youth sports. I never made an All Star team in little league baseball because I wasn't ever a coach's kid. Hell, I was from a different city. My senior year of high school, the other outfielders and I got rotated for who wouldn't start a game because an upcoming sophomore's daddy was childhood friends with the coach. And then, of course, you might see some bribery as well.

It's unfair, but it's life. Some people are serious enough to play their sport that they switch schools. Maybe you should do that, then show up that coach when you play them during the season.

EDIT: I was referring to you, but apparently you're not that kind of person.

I train with a local AAU team and one of the assistant's had to transfer schools because at his original school the coach flat-out told him he would never be good enough to play at ANY level. He transferred schools and went on to became a DPOY in his D1 college conference. The main thing is I really want to make a legacy at this high school but I guess sometimes you must change schools.

Thanks for all of your help.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

Sorry for all of the grammatical errors by the way that was poorly written on my part.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Basketball Advice

Indeed there are serious politics in HS sports, it almost caused me to quit JV football the beginning of my Junior year cause I got no playing time my sophomore year and didn't look like I would that year even tho I showed up to every single workout/practice in the summer, worked out all throughout the season(many people didn't they just signed they did stuff and left) while other kids who quit the team a few times, suspended, put in no work, I felt weren't as good as me,etc were given all the playing time(I felt like it was also a race/height factor, but let's not go there in this website). Finally that coach moved on to a new coaching position or whatever before the season and new coach made me the start after a week of practice and I was on varsity by end of the season.

Just gotta work hard man that's really all it comes down to, working hard and being persistent. Doesn't help to force yourself to be noticed by the coaches, like i'd always ask my coach about should I cheat up in this situation,etc even if I kinda already knew the answer just so I could talk to a coach.

[VDusen04]

Re: Basketball Advice

First things first, if it is an absolute fact that your school's head coach is accepting $3,000 bribes in exchange for roster positions (alongside pocketing an entire camp fee of $300/student) there'd clearly be a very, very large problem on your hands. I'm aware corruption exists in many places, but are you aware of what you are suggesting? I don't think it's even possible to pocket an entire camp fee, since someone's money must pay for the electricity, gym, and coaches/counselors (among other things). But if this is all true, I think it's your duty to notify the higher-ups. And if they don't do anything about it, then go even higher.

Anyway, throwing all that aside, I would certainly opt against the idea of walking up to the coach and suggesting you're going to help him on the varsity team. As a coach, I'm picturing in my head what it'd be like if a player came up to me and, in some fashion or another, said "Hey, I'm a sophomore. I didn't play basketball last year but I think I can play for your varsity team because I beat two varsity players a lot with my friend at the gym one time so just pay attention to me during tryouts at least." Any statement including any variation of any piece of that quote is a bad idea.

I can relate to your coaches having players they know highlighted on their tryout sheet. I do the same thing. It's harder than you may think to cut down to a roster of 12 when you've got 25 or more players trying to make their impression over a three day period. One of the biggest struggles is just figuring out which kid is whom. So, oftentimes, I'll highlight or otherwise make a denotation on my sheet to notify myself which names and faces I'm already somewhat familiar with.

With all that said, I've made roster mistakes. Every single coach has. My older brother didn't make his freshman team either. To me, it was a ridiculous premise. To the coach, maybe he just didn't see my brother's best in those three days. My brother would continue practicing, working, attending all school basketball sessions, practices, etc. and he'd eventually play for his school the rest of his high school years. It worked out for him, and it didn't take him suggesting to the varsity coach the next year that he thinks he's probably going to be able to help him. He just played hard and got noticed. It doesn't always work though. Sometimes, things just don't happen.

I'll say, one thing I noticed in your post is that your own synopsis of your basketball ability is almost completely concentrated on your ability to "make shots". In fact, you stated you did not miss a single shot in tryouts despite taking a large number of them. Even if what you say is true (I guess it'd depend on your definitions of "large" and "true") I'd still be left wondering about your ability to play other aspects of the game.

This all leads me to my next hidden secret of coaching: the ability to put the ball in the hole isn't actually all we pay attention to during tryouts. As far as I'm concerned, I know I'm going to have no problem looking for players on my team who'll want to score during the season. What I'm often more worried about during tryouts is finding players who are relentless, hard-workers, defenders, leaders and guys with great attitudes. Hypothetically, am I going to want a 5'10'' guy on my team who thinks he's great because he can shoot well and just suggested I should watch him during tryouts because he should be playing varsity? Maybe, but I can't say it's a good look.

The long and short of it, and I guess the honest to goodness truth, is this: if you're truly as good as you think you are, you will not be looked over. However, be careful with how you measure yourself. It might sound weird, but games of two-on-two or one-on-one don't say that much about a player's ability. I used to coach a kid who was a mid to low level talent. He'd frequently challenge varsity players to games of one-on-one, and he'd play 100% hard, while the varsity player usually did not play as if his life were on the line. Every now and again, the kid would win a game, and he'd then assume he should be respected as if he were as talented as anyone in the world at the game of basketball. The kid would surely go on to play varsity basketball, but as a 12th man. It turns out he was a horrible passer, couldn't dribble in traffic, made horrible decisions with the ball, had very slow lateral quickness and felt entitled to playing time. The only thing he was good at, was shooting. And a lot of times, shooting's not enough.

Work hard at your try out. That's how coaches notice you.

[Kriech23]

Re: Basketball Advice

First off, if this belongs in a different forum let me know I searched around and couldn't find an appropriate place so I thought I should put it here.

The last thing I want to sound like is that I am cocky so if I rub off that way I apologize in advance. I am starting my sophomore year of high school and am 5'11 with a high GPA in so...

Last year (freshman year) I tried out for the school basketball team and to my great shock I did not make ANY team despite probably being the top freshman trying out. Now, when I went to try-out people that had and hadn't gone to the school's summer camp were there. However those that had gone to the school camp had their names highlighted and were given preferential treatment. So when the teams were posted only players that had gone to the camp were selected (every player at the camp reportedly were on either Frosh A or B and one other guy made the team but did not play a single minute during the year due to academic ineligibility. One of the kids who made the team who is shorter then me airballed every shot he took at tryouts ( a lot) and another missed all of his lay-ups while I did not miss a shot while taking a large number of them. I do pride myself on being a defensive stopper first and foremost. The camp cost $300 a person and that money went straight to the coach.

Anyhow, I truly felt that I was better than every one of the players there and I was really hurt that I had been cut. Since then (the past year) I have worked my rear end off and just tried to make so that the coach would have no reason to cut me. All of the people that play with or against me always leave the game telling me I'm one of the better shooters they have ever gone up against in person and I am always guarded well past the 3-pt line (I really hope I am not sounding cocky because I don't like it when other people act that way).

In the past week, my friend and I were able to go to a community center and ran into the two best varsity players (6'3 and 6'5) on another, better team in the area. We beat them every game we played against them. By the way, my friend and I are of equally talent.

So, there are tryouts in two days and I just want to be able to tell the coach that I believe that I can help his varsity team this year (I am on none of the school's teams now but believe I am better than some of the kid's on varsity considering I have played against them 2/3 years ago and I have improved substantially since then but I don't want to sound rude or above everyone else. Does anyone have an idea of how I could nicely tell the coach this and tell him that I think I able to play on varsity and if he could please at least pay attention to me during try-outs. I know there are coaches on this site (current or former) so any advice from anybody that can give it would be so greatly appreciated.

P.S. Any tips for during try-outs???

Sounds eerily similar to me (I graduated this past year). However, as a freshman I made my freshman team and played JV for most of the year also. But, I was about 5'11" and was a sharpshooter as well. Our coach was not the brightest, when he had talent he won games, like any coach should, but when we were down, we won 4 games. Anyways, some coaches have players they feel comfortable with, and what not.

If I could re-do my high school hoops days, it would be to develop an all-around game. I probably would have had a better chance to do that without 2 knee surgeries, but that's life. So being a mainly a 3 pointer, I came off the bench as a sophomore and junior, when I probably could have started varsity, if I could/would have worked on my inside game a little.

As long as you show that you are willing to work with the team and listen to what the coach says, whether you think he is right or wrong, you should be alright in terms of making the team. If your not on the starting squad at first, then light them up when you scrimmage them. That's what my buddy and I did when we were freshman. Nothing feels better than pouring it on the varsity when you're supposedly scrubs.

[WTF]

Re: Basketball Advice

One thing, you have to prove yourself.

Case in point, my freshman year, I made our Varsity squad. I was basically a practice player, coach didn't think for a second about playing me more than the 18-35 seconds in garbage time. I would literally get in for 18 seconds in 2 different games.

BUT... 9 games into the season, our starting SG went down with a badly sprained ankle, and our backup SG had the flu, so I was called upon for the start. Had 22pts on 9/11 shooting, and was key on defense. I started every game from that point forward, and ended up setting our school record for most tracked statistical categories.

Then I blew out both of my knees during my D1 workout w/ a nearby Uni... and the rest is history.

I coached 8th grade and 6th grade. I wasn't the coach that gave politics any credit... the varsity coach's son was on my 8th grade team, and I changed him from a starter to a utility guy, he was more effective that way. Of course when they went to HS, the Varsity Coach changed it and had him starting again. It's just the way it is.

What I'm saying, in a round about way is... if you make the team, but don't get PT, don't get discouraged. When you're called upon, contribute... and move on.

I started every game for my HS team, other than the first 9 games of my Freshman Year, and like I said, ended up setting most records for our school... It can be done.

Good luck, work hard... let your game do the talking.

[VDusen04]

Re: Basketball Advice

One thing, you have to prove yourself.

Case in point, my freshman year, I made our Varsity squad. I was basically a practice player, coach didn't think for a second about playing me more than the 18-35 seconds in garbage time. I would literally get in for 18 seconds in 2 different games.

BUT... 9 games into the season, our starting SG went down with a badly sprained ankle, and our backup SG had the flu, so I was called upon for the start. Had 22pts on 9/11 shooting, and was key on defense. I started every game from that point forward, and ended up setting our school record for most tracked statistical categories.

Then I blew out both of my knees during my D1 workout w/ a nearby Uni... and the rest is history.

I coached 8th grade and 6th grade. I wasn't the coach that gave politics any credit... the varsity coach's son was on my 8th grade team, and I changed him from a starter to a utility guy, he was more effective that way. Of course when they went to HS, the Varsity Coach changed it and had him starting again. It's just the way it is.

What I'm saying, in a round about way is... if you make the team, but don't get PT, don't get discouraged. When you're called upon, contribute... and move on.

I started every game for my HS team, other than the first 9 games of my Freshman Year, and like I said, ended up setting most records for our school... It can be done.

Good luck, work hard... let your game do the talking.

First of all, it's pretty awesome that things worked out for you the way they did, but just from a personal coaching standpoint, I've never seen a point to bringing a freshman or sophomore up to varsity if I didn't plan on playing them. I feel that's just asking to stunt their growth. What was your coach's logic in that move? Clearly you could play, but were it not for a couple of beneficial (in your regard) circumstances, would you have not been better served playing on a level where you were guaranteed heavy minutes?

Secondly, I think your story drives home an awesome point. A lot of times, it pays to be persistent and it pays to work hard. To elaborate on what you said: no matter what, there's always going to be just five starters. There might be two guys at the end of the bench who suck and they know they suck. But then there could be very well five other bench players who think they should be starting. And from what I've seen in my playing and coaching experiences, there's a lot of bench players who let their bitterness get the best of them. They think they should be starting at power forward, and because they're not, they quit. And you know what I've seen happen over and over again? Back up player quits, starter then randomly succumbs to injury/academic ineligibility, spot opens, but back-up has already given up, so there's a void.

I'm not sure how much that above paragraph has to do with the poster's original topic at hand, but I suppose it speaks to stick-to-it'd-ness. Work hard, stick with it, see what happens.

[WTF]

Re: Basketball Advice

No doubt that it would have most likely stunted my growth. He knew that I could play, but I was also still playing on the Freshman team, and the Junior Varsity, but he would let me "dress" for the Varsity team as well.

There were 2 separate occasions that I started all 3 games in one night. Looking back, I don't know where I got my stamina from.

But to answer your question, he knew that I could play, but he had no real intentions on letting me play. What he did though, was use me during practice, because I was one of the quicker and stronger defenders, so I brought out the best in the older guys. I guess his main thought was other than using me to benefit his older players, was to give me a little bit of experience playing with stronger competition to make me better... what he did not do (until the 9th game), was allow me more than 35 seconds of playing time against the stronger comp

[VDusen04]

Re: Basketball Advice

No doubt that it would have most likely stunted my growth. He knew that I could play, but I was also still playing on the Freshman team, and the Junior Varsity, but he would let me "dress" for the Varsity team as well.

There were 2 separate occasions that I started all 3 games in one night. Looking back, I don't know where I got my stamina from.

But to answer your question, he knew that I could play, but he had no real intentions on letting me play. What he did though, was use me during practice, because I was one of the quicker and stronger defenders, so I brought out the best in the older guys. I guess his main thought was other than using me to benefit his older players, was to give me a little bit of experience playing with stronger competition to make me better... what he did not do (until the 9th game), was allow me more than 35 seconds of playing time against the stronger comp

Ohhhhh, it's so clear now. I didn't realize you were playing on the freshman and JV teams in addition to being on the varsity roster. In that case, I can totally see why a coach may do that. I would have loved to play multiple games a night. I know sometimes I struggled with my confidence during my underclassmen years playing up, so being able to play on my grade level for one game then moving up for the next game could have worked wonders. I'm actually kind of mad now that the state of Michigan never allowed such an arrangement.