Basketball Advice

[WTF]

Re: Basketball Advice

Not to hijack the topic, but thankfully KY is a pretty liberal place for HS sports. I played JV when I was in 8th grade, and practiced with them in 7th grade. They recognized me with the "purple heart" awards both years during the Sports Banquets, for always putting it on the line and bringing it day in and day out.

If they would have allowed me to use my stats accumulated for JV, Varsity, and Freshman, then I would have surpassed 4500 pts for my HS career.

But back on topic... If you want to talk to the coach, I wouldn't disrespect him at all nor question his selections. One way to make sure you get watched, is to just politely tell him that you've worked on certain aspects of your game throughout the summer (maybe throw in an "unfortunately I couldn't make it to the camp... blah blah) and ask him if he could give you some critiques after each session that you could work on to improve your game.

That would be a way to make sure he takes notice of you... and also a way to get some more interaction with him.

[Weeks]

Re: Basketball Advice

Stand out.

Make the coach have a reason to pick you, play with an edge but at the same time play your game.

In the scrimmages drive to the rim whenever possible, and make sure when he is watching you that you get the ball in your hands rather than defer to teammates.

Don't mess around, be the first to the gym everyday. And practice lay-ups/FTs/Mid-Range jumpers rather than 3s and half court shots or whatever.

And depending on what his personality is like try to suck up/ask him for advice, but if he will know that you are obviously trying to get on his good side that will likely make him mad so don't do it then.

[Weeks]

Re: Basketball Advice

And if he tells you to do something different, whether or not you agree with it do it. Getting on a coaches good side is the most important thing.

Good luck, keep us posted.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

Thank you for all of the advice. I don't want to really sound like I am knocking the team or anything but the team's supposed star player takes steroids and it is a widely known fact. On road games whenever he touches the ball the crowd chants "Roid Rage" and everyone knows that he takes them and the coach is ok with it. It would be impossible to prove but there are a lot of weird things that go on at my school.

I will keep you guys posted and anymore advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[TMagic]

Re: Basketball Advice

But back on topic... If you want to talk to the coach, I wouldn't disrespect him at all nor question his selections. One way to make sure you get watched, is to just politely tell him that you've worked on certain aspects of your game throughout the summer (maybe throw in an "unfortunately I couldn't make it to the camp... blah blah) and ask him if he could give you some critiques after each session that you could work on to improve your game.

That would be a way to make sure he takes notice of you... and also a way to get some more interaction with him.

Agreed 100%.

Best piece of advice here is to just say SOMETHING. Anything to get him to notice you and recognize you during tryouts. If you go into tryouts without him having any idea about who you are, you are going to go above and beyond to get noticed.

The worse thing you can do is wait up until tryouts in hopes of having an outstanding showing. There are so many other kids trying out, that he can not watch every single one of you at once. Plus, if he/they are just going off of names, there's no way he can remember every person's name that tried out. So when he goes back to see who he liked, you want to make sure he associates your name with you.

I moved in my first year in high school, so I didn't get to try out my freshmen year. Then I tried out my softmore year. Didn't make it. Like you said, I don't want to sound cocky, but I was clearly better than guys that made it over me. When I didn't make the team, everybody that had played with me before were like "How the hell didn't you make it? And then (insert name) did?". I was just trying to let my game do the talking.

So the next year, I went to the coach on several occasions to ask about tryouts, to ask about what he looked for in a player, to ask about open gym, etc. Pretty much anything that would lead to him being more familiar with me and my face for when tryouts came. That year I made Varsity.

From there I actually moved again and ended up at a different school. Did the same process. Going to the coach for random things. "Hey Coach. Dominique Davis. What GPA do you need to play?" "Hey Coach. Dominique Davis. When are tryouts?" "Hey Coach. Dominique Davis. What position would you have me play with my size on this team? Just like to know so I have an idea on what skills to work on." lol

I went to open play after school and played. I literally did one thing right in front of him. I stole the ball from one of the guys on the team. Took the ball down, one guy tried to step up in front of me and go for a steal. I went around my back, leaving him behind me. I took two steps from the free throw line and finished over the top of someone trying to contest at the rim. Point game.

Right after that coach walked up to me and asked what my name was again. Nodded his head. And asked, "You still going to try out for the team right?".

So my best advice is, make sure he gets familiar with you before the tryouts so that he will make it a point to watch you during tryouts. Then you can really let your game do the talking.

[Mo]

Re: Basketball Advice

Best Player out there?
Star on team is using Steroids?
Bribes?

Something is not adding up with me

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

By no means am I the best player out there. There are many parts of my gaming that could use work. However I do feel that if given a fair shot, I should at least be able to make a team. The rest of it is true though, unfortunately. But by no means am I the best player out there. Sorry if I rubbed off that way.

[Money99]

Re: Basketball Advice

Work hard at practice and maybe talk to the coach and ask him what you can work on.
It'll show him you're humble and are willing to learn.

[Po Pimp]

Re: Basketball Advice

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.

And there you go. Sadly, it has nothing to do with your talent. A lot of time, it's pure politics. I know this first hand.

[Kriech23]

Re: Basketball Advice

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.

Yeah this happens. The only reason a kid made the basketball team every year at my school, was because his dad was a doctor and he would put on a golfing fundraiser every year. He never really played, but some players that were cut, were clearly better than the kid that made it.

The sad thing is the parents really ran our team. A couple players that used to sit the bench then out of nowhere started. They only started after their parents went up to the coach and complained. It sounds ridiculous, but it's true.

[VDusen04]

Re: Basketball Advice

The rumors of end-of-bench guys making the team only because their parents paid off the coach is very unfortunate. I think the trick would be to work on your game enough where it doesn't come down to whether a coach should keep you as a 12th man or keep the guy whose parents are helping fund the program. I was not a high school All-American, but I was good enough where I never had to worry about politics. My game spoke for itself.

Lastly, now as a coach, I'll tell you a lot of things go into those last few roster cuts. It seems I'm usually able to find my nucleus of 8-9 guys early on in the tryout. And when it comes to finding those last 3-4 players, I'm not necessarily just looking for the 3-4 most skilled players. Often, I've rewarded a player who has committed himself to our program, even if he's not insanely skilled. If I've seen him in our gym throughout the entire year, working on his game, showing up to every function, I know he'll be an asset to our team if for no other reason than I'll know he'll be willing to work and support his teammates. Obviously, I won't keep that guy over a clear impact player. I'm just saying it's not always "these are the 12 best basketball players so this is now my team".

[wwharton]

Re: Basketball Advice

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.

Gonna continue the OT talk a bit, but it might still help get an idea of how coaches think. First, to answer the question, whether or not to take a freshman or sophomore is always a tough decision. Hell, there have even been times when we planned on the kid not only playing but possibly starting, but once the real games hit their age became more apparent than their talent. But there's also a gap in the speed of the game between JV and Varsity. In our situation, the JV team is usually one of the best teams in the conference bc its filled with the equivalent of 4A players (players too good for triple A but not quite good enough for the big leagues). So sometimes, keeping kids on JV can make them more complacent and/or get them comfortable playing at a lower level. They come up to varsity the next year and spend half the season getting used to the speed and more physical play. Nine times out of 10, I'd say leave a freshman/sophomore on JV but I'd always think long and hard about it.

I also want to comment on your 2nd paragraph (and this also touches on friends saying "I can't believe you didn't make it and [insert worse player here] did". A lot of kids need to realize the accomplishment of making a team. Everyone's got a role. Coaches are looking to fill roles. The team has to be picked, gameplan formed based on the talent you'll have, practices drawn up deciding how much time needs to be focused on fundamentals, defense, learning plays, etc. Sometimes a kid could be selected for their leadership, ability to push others in practice (even if it's just running sprints), likelihood of giving the best players a challenge in scrimmages during practice, etc. There just isn't enough time to take the best 12 players determined from 2 or 3 days of 2hours of drills/scrimmage, and then let them play into the most logical roles. And if you know kids think they should be starting on top of that... that's a headache that will likely be avoided. Long story short, it's not always a conspiracy theory AND (as VDusen mentioned) the 8th or 9th man can also have a role to embrace.

To the OP, first get all the conspiracy theories out of your head. I had a similar issue in college where there was no doubt in my mind I was better than the starting PG but I never played. It's human nature to try to figure out why and since you think you're better, you have to point the finger elsewhere. Everything you say about bribes, etc. may be true or may not but it doesn't help you either way. Speaking on any of it (even here) just makes you look bad. More importantly, it's more likely you didn't prove to fill a role the coach was looking for rather than being overlooked for any other reason. Unless you were noticeably better overall then players he's considering starting, he's likely looking for ways to use other players rather than just the next best one out there.

TMagic's post sounded like the best advice (thinking about it from a coach's perspective). I would talk to the coach, but focusing on how you can get better. I think it'd be ok to talk about the camp. I know I've made a point to look at kids that came to summer open gyms or camps in tryouts bc I watched them working on their games so I know they have been. I also may give more of a pass for a so-so day in tryouts if I remember them playing at a higher level at a camp or open gym. Just mention that you wanted to go but weren't able to, so you've been working on your game on your own. Don't go into detail about how great you think your shot is or anything, just say you've been working on your game and will continue too... and that you're coming to him to help you be more focused on what you should be working on.

You're trying to make the team not plead your case for a starting spot, so I like the idea of asking what he may be looking for in a player to make the team. I also like the idea of asking what he thinks a player of your size and height should be working on (in reality, it doesn't make sense if he's never seen you play but when try outs come, he'll look to see if you've worked on those areas). That's about it. Don't try to plead your case... trust me.

The rest goes without saying... keep working as hard as you can, and be prepared for try outs (be early, be in great shape and go hard in every drill/sprint/scrimmage, be a team player). One thing I don't think most kids do that makes a world of difference... be vocal. You should even do this in pick up games. Call out picks, tell teammates where their man is, call out ball, help other teammates as much as possible. And in practice, do the same in drills. That one is very simple but is huge.

[For The Win]

Re: Basketball Advice

I just wanted to make it clear in case I didn't before but I didn't make any team last year so it is not like the coach really knows my game.

By the way in an unrelated note, I cam here and said that I thought my shot was good and then today I go out and play the worst basketball I ever have. I couldn't throw a proper pass in the lane or hit a wide open 3 if my life depended on it. Good thing it was just pick-up at the park but still makes me really mad. Hopefully I didn't curse myself.

[12]

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???

Keep your mouth shut and play.

Go the extra mile. I remember hearing that early in Pete Rose's career, players would be mad at him because he busted his balls on literally every play, whether it be practice or the game.

If your skills are legit, you'll get noticed. Keep the trash talk to a minimum and do what you're told without question.

[12]

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'm going to relive some Little League moments with this post so bear with me.

In the championship game, the team we were playing was the league's best team. They just were. We all knew it. They had the oldest players and they just got things done. Well, we were the team with the history, the team that had won more titles than anybody.

We were trailing 6-3 in the bottom of the sixth but had the bases loaded. I came up and truthfully, I was a big kid. I was good. All of the guys coaching the other teams would tell me this. Well, long story short, I hit a bomb. Grand slam in the bottom of the sixth. Championship game. We won, 7-6. It's probably one of the true great moments that I've had athletically in my life, even though I was only 12. The ball sailed over the fence, and I was the only kid to belt a home run over the fence in the entire league that year. I hit two of them.

Who did I hit it off of? You guessed it, the coach's kid. High, slow fastball and I clobbered it. He was decent, but nothing special. But since his team won the title the year before, his dad was the all-star coach. During tryouts, I got passed over for him. It was laughable and everyone knew it.

My point is not to pump myself up, but to point at that ugly word... POLITICS. Very real. You can't escape it in youth sports. Pressure from parents creates it, favoritism lets it grow. It's real, so be prepared to accept it, as bad as that sucks.