Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

[beast10]

hey guys I'm an incoming freshmen at a class 3A private school in the northwestern part of Indiana. I'm 6'1 small forward; I've made this thread because with the summer finally here- I need some useful advice on how I can better prepare myself to strive next year on my schools basketball program.

so far I have met the coach of the high school at a basketball camp that ended last week. I went up against the other incoming freshmen and it was pretty easy tbh. only one or two guys I could say were better than me. the junior coaches who helped up were giving me a lot of attention and advice and the coach liked my performance as well and even congratulated/talked to me at the end the sessions.

so now I've made a good impression with the varsity coach but I already know I've got a long way to go.

starting next week- I'll be headed to Whitney Young HS for their basketball camp that'll last pretty much up until school starts back so that'll help a ton and I'll receive good competition there. this other coach from the field house recommended this personal trainer for me and my parents got in contact with him but I don't really know much more regarding that

but, in the meantime could you guys share any advice/experience/workouts/routines that'll help me out? mainly things that'll boost my confidence on the court tho because that's one one of my main issues - I've got a bad case of being afraid of missing shots and I'm having trouble overcoming this...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clemsonpanther]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

hey guys I'm an incoming freshmen at a class 3A private school in the northwestern part of Indiana. I'm 6'1 small forward; I've made this thread because with the summer finally here- I need some useful advice on how I can better prepare myself to strive next year on my schools basketball program.

so far I have met the coach of the high school at a basketball camp that ended last week. I went up against the other incoming freshmen and it was pretty easy tbh. only one or two guys I could say were better than me. the junior coaches who helped up were giving me a lot of attention and advice and the coach liked my performance as well and even congratulated/talked to me at the end the sessions.

so now I've made a good impression with the varsity coach but I already know I've got a long way to go.

starting next week- I'll be headed to Whitney Young HS for their basketball camp that'll last pretty much up until school starts back so that'll help a ton and I'll receive good competition there. this other coach from the field house recommended this personal trainer for me and my parents got in contact with him but I don't really know much more regarding that

but, in the meantime could you guys share any advice/experience/workouts/routines that'll help me out? mainly things that'll boost my confidence on the court tho because that's one one of my main issues - I've got a bad case of being afraid of missing shots and I'm having trouble overcoming this...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Theres somebody younger than me on OS? Im 16 i thought i was young. Goodness i feel old. But the answer is no. Im 5'6" and im not good at sports and basketball is my worst by far.

[cavsfan2]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

I just graduated High School and played basketball during that time. Im a PG so what worked for me might not necessarily be be what you need. I dont know much about your game but here goes.

My advice would be to work on keeping your dribble low so you dont get stripped. Nothing got my coach more angry. Work on your first step and try to make it explosive. Since youre an SF, forget about fancy dribbling, find one or two moves with a jab step that can get you by your man quick without ball stopping. You can expand on that, but you need at least one move that can get you by your guy quickly.

Play against competition this summer that will kick your ***. If you do that pretty consistently, I guarantee that the kids you play against in the fall will feel like scrubs.

Having an attitude cost me a spot on the team freshman year even though coach told me himself the next year that he thought I was the 4th best player at the freshman/JV tryouts. Being coachable is just as important as your talent. Dont forget that.

Since it seems like youre in a good position now and you said that you lack some confidence, I would recommend doing a bunch of layups and free throws before each and every practice and game. Getting used to seeing the ball go through the net always helped my confidence before games.

Also, PROFESSIONALS miss half of their shots or more. You're a freshman in high school. Dont put so much pressure on yourself to make shots. If you miss, who cares? Everyone misses shots including everyone on your team. Just go out there, play ball, and have fun.
Good luck

[Sutt0n]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

I'm a girls hs basketball coach in Georgia. If I was you I would definitely working out with the personal trainer. My players improve tremendously during one on one workouts during the off season. I would be focused on working on your shot from multiple ranges, being able to handle the ball against some pressure, and defense. The most valuable players I have, regardless of position, can dribble against 1 on 1 pressure, can shoot an open jumper and can play solid defense.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[VDusen04]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

6'1'' as an incoming freshman is a solid size. A couple of random tips off the cuff:

1. Don't limit yourself to a position: You mentioned you're a small forward. That's cool. But I say work and train for all possible basketball situations and positions. Even if you end up being bigger than many of your teammates, develop your guard skills. Sometimes it's easy to limit oneself to "big man things" when you outsize your classmates or teammates. But the way I always figure is, Michael Jordan was 6'6'' and he was as fast and skilled as any player in history, so be sure to not limit yourself based on your size. However quick you may be, you can probably be even quicker.

2. The point of basketball is to score: Don't think twice about shooting. I know, easier said than done, but it's imperative you get that out of your head early. It may be beneficial to go watch a college basketball game or practice in person. For some reason, this is easier to see live: when college ball players get an open and clean look from their spot, they're firing ten out of ten times.

The point of running an offense, or coming off screens, or anything offense-relaed, is to get a good look (and subsequently score). If you're a legitimate mid-range threat, and you're open from fifteen feet out, fire. Make the defense worry about stopping you.

I used to be afraid of shooting when I was a sophomore playing up on varsity. Any shot I took, I'd catch the response from my upperclassmen teammates and try to gauge how they felt about my missed jump shot. If they even subtly shook their head in disappointment, I was probably done shooting for the rest of the game.

I say, as long as you're taking good shots from your spots, never worry about the misses. A very large portion of all-conference high school players hit less than half of their shots each year. I'm not sure my brother's class A 14-7 team had anyone even make 45% of their shots last year. The best you can do is know where you're a threat, work to become the best shooter you can be, and take those shots when they're available.

3. Get yourself into great shape: One's basketball skills drop dramatically once fatigue sets in. It's important to work on our fundamentals, but the ability to run or sprint for extended periods of time with limited fatigue effects is often very underrated amongst players training on their own in the off-season. Find engagements that work for you. I dabbled in jogging, sprinting, stairs, cycling, and jumping rope in the offseason (not all at the same time). Mix it up, keep it fresh, just keep working.

4. Don't eat awfully: I do not usually tell high schoolers to eat well because I know it's just not going to happen. However, maybe at least make a small effort to limit the amount of terrible things you ingest. Perhaps that means cutting back from the three sodas you drink per day. Maybe it's only eating pizza once a week. I don't know. At least become a little conscious of your intake. It can be a shame to nullify a lot of your hard work by plowing through your own Little Caesars pizza directly after practice.

5. Play ball, don't be afraid of better competition: Depending on how competitive you are, the prospect of playing against better players than you might suck. I didn't like doing it. I was afraid of being beaten. Still, it's a worthy venture.

I know many high school basketball players who have only played against one another (classmates at the same school) for the vast majority of their lives. Their goal tends to be just to become better than their classmates. And subconsciously, they often adapt the playing style of their classmates. Don't be that guy. I say expose yourself to as many different brands of basketball as possible. Folks who run-and-gun, guys who lock down full court, dudes who will mug you and not let you call foul. Broaden your basketball horizons. Those who only play ball amongst themselves will be at a disadvantage when the real season gets under way.

I'll cut it short there due to length.

[Equinox831]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

1. Don't limit yourself to a position: You mentioned you're a small forward. That's cool. But I say work and train for all possible basketball situations and positions. Even if you end up being bigger than many of your teammates, develop your guard skills. Sometimes it's easy to limit oneself to "big man things" when you outsize your classmates or teammates. But the way I always figure is, Michael Jordan was 6'6'' and he was as fast and skilled as any player in history, so be sure to not limit yourself based on your size. However quick you may be, you can probably be even quicker.

5. Play ball, don't be afraid of better competition: Depending on how competitive you are, the prospect of playing against better players than you might suck. I didn't like doing it. I was afraid of being beaten. Still, it's a worthy venture. .

Those two are huge tips. If you really want to get your foot in the door and do great things, don't be afraid to go to the coach and ask if you can scrim with the varsity guys. With your size you could probably make for a solid guard, if you can adapt and really work on it who knows, you might find yourself as a 4 year varsity player.

[Melbournelad]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

6"1? Damn. If I remember correctly in the past you have stated you're only 14 or 15 right?

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

I only played basketball in middle school and JV way, way back in the day. Now I'm a teacher and do the score keeping for both varsity teams. We've had state championship teams and those that don't even make the playoffs.

The 3 most useful skills (on the championship teams): good/great ball handlers, play good defense, have good endurance. Anybody in the top 8 could bring the ball up and break a press, can stay in front of their guy and play just as hard in the 4th quarter as the first.

And definitely play against players that are better than you.

[beast10]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

yes I'm 14 but we've got at a couple of guys taller than me (the tallest was maybe 6'5 and one of my friends who didn't show up to camp is 6'5-6)

and yes I'm very aware of not limiting myself to a position. over the course of my life I've played just about everyone but I slid down to the 3 because other got bigger than me overtime. but I still work on all fundamentals to the point where I can say id be able to play every position on the court at MY age level.

but thanks for all the input, I've read each one carefully and they're def useful. even had some people reach out to my in Pm so much appreciation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clemsonpanther]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

I'm a girls hs basketball coach in Georgia. If I was you I would definitely working out with the personal trainer. My players improve tremendously during one on one workouts during the off season. I would be focused on working on your shot from multiple ranges, being able to handle the ball against some pressure, and defense. The most valuable players I have, regardless of position, can dribble against 1 on 1 pressure, can shoot an open jumper and can play solid defense

So are you a girl?

[Majingir]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

Stuff I'd suggest is just making sure you have good chemistry with your teammate. From what I've seen during high school(and even before that) days, people sometimes try to get abit too flashy and selfish on the court and everyone always wants to be that star player who does crazy things.

Obviously don't try to do that stuff if you can't, but also make sure you have good chemistry with your teammates so that people will actually pass you the ball and stuff, because the teams I've been on, many people often just only ever passed it to their friends and it was just a team filled with selfish egos, which is main reason the teams I've been on ended up sucking lol.

[mgoblue]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

So are you a girl?

Is Geno Auriemma a girl?

[mb625]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

So are you a girl?

There are plenty of males coaching girls' basketball. My old HS's girls team has a male coach... heck, I was an assistant MS girls' coach last year. Our staff was (including me) 2 men and 1 woman. It's not unheard of.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

3. Get yourself into great shape

Most freshman won't put in the the off season work. I remember going into my freshman year for football I did a 6 week workout/football camp that wasn't that hard and then played video games the whole month between the camp and 2-a-days. I didn't have any issues because that's just how it is when you're young.

Go into basketball workouts above anyone else. Be finishing ladders (or whatever you call having to run and touch each line) a half court ahead of everyone else. At your height already you are more than big enough to be on JV as a freshman. Heck a legit 6'1" is probably average for most varsity players you'll be up against. My coaches made the first week of basketball hell. They wanted to weed out the people who didn't really want to be there. It's usually a workout hell worse than anything you could have imagined in middle school.

[VDusen04]

Re: Need advice to better prepare myself for high school basketball

3. Get yourself into great shape

Most freshman won't put in the the off season work. I remember going into my freshman year for football I did a 6 week workout/football camp that wasn't that hard and then played video games the whole month between the camp and 2-a-days. I didn't have any issues because that's just how it is when you're young.

Go into basketball workouts above anyone else. Be finishing ladders (or whatever you call having to run and touch each line) a half court ahead of everyone else. At your height already you are more than big enough to be on JV as a freshman. Heck a legit 6'1" is probably average for most varsity players you'll be up against. My coaches made the first week of basketball hell. They wanted to weed out the people who didn't really want to be there.

True statements here.

Also, I say don't be afraid to go above and beyond. I think that ties into the whole "striving to keep up with your classmates" thing I was talking about earlier. It may not take that much effort to be amongst the best players at your school. But don't settle for that. Compare yourself to players outside of your school - at better schools, at the playground, at colleges. Do not let your ceiling be limited.

I have a 16 year old brother going through this stuff right now. He's not a fan of me and his other brother playing aggressive defense against him because when he plays amongst his people at his school, they don't play defense that way. We're working on broadening his basketball horizons.

It'll sound silly, but I took to comparing myself to NBA players. I'm clearly not in the same stratosphere as anyone in the NBA but that's exactly the point. If I think I'm fast, especially in comparison to my classmates, I'll think of an NBA player my size (6'3'') who's faster (ex: Russell Westbrook). It serves as a healthy reminder that I clearly have the capabilities of pushing myself further and making myself even better.