High School Basketball: Focus on ONE WEEK at a time

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High school basketball can be a full-time commitment for some players. When a player looks at an ENTIRE basketball season, an ENTIRE off-season, or a ENTIRE high school career, it can be overwhelming. That is why it is best to keep it simple and focus on one week at a time

When looking at a basketball year, the most simple breakdown is

  1. In season: November 28th – March 19th (16 weeks / 112 Days)
  2. Off-season: March 20th – November 27th – (36 weeks / 252 Days)

For a high school basketball player to make the most out of a season in a career, it is best to focus on ONE WEEK at a time. Seven days is a very manageable amount of time. This allows a player to establish a weekly routine that can be slightly altered based on other commitments. At the end of seven days, a player has an opportunity to evaluate the week.

Another way to look at a season would be based on the high school sports season and summer.

  1. Fall
  2. Winter: (basketball season)
  3. Spring
  4. Summer

It could be useful to use both approaches when playing the off-season.

The short-term goals will be the goals for the week. The long-term goal would be the entire season. When setting short-term goals and long-term goals, is important for players to set goals are realistic, attainable, and will lead to individual progress that will help the high school team have a more successful season.

We also understand each year is unique, and therefore will be different than the preceding year and the following year. To help a player understand, we have created a plan for each year.

Freshman Off-Season

  1. Freshman Year
  2. High School Basketball: Sophomore Year
  3. Junior Year
  4. Senior Year

Good Luck and Just Keep Working!

High School Basketball: One Week at a Time

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High School Basketball: The Most Important Week of the Season

October Basketball Jokes (31 days)

October 2nd – October 8th: (8 weeks left) This is a critical time for players to start to really focus on being completely ready for tryouts. It is important to start conditioning so you are in the best shape of your life.

October 9th – October 15th: (7 weeks left) Columbus Day Check in: 49 days at 1 hour a day is 49 hours. There is still of time to improve your skills, but you cannot wait.

  1. High School Student-Athletes: Start the School Year Strong
  2. The season is just weeks away, just keep working. Focus on individual workouts! Work hard in fall sports and be sure to find time to shoot!
  3. Play Fall League.
  4. Play AAU
  5. Play a Fall Sport (Eight Great Benefits of Playing a Fall Sport)
  6. Columbus Day Check in
  7. High School Basketball: Top Reasons To Take the PSAT
  8. October 31st Halloween: Top 5 Halloween Horrors for High School Basketball Players

November Basketball Jokes (30 days)

  1. High School Basketball Tryout Tips: Elite Eight Tips
  2. November 11th: Veterans Day Check-In
  3. High School Basketball: Final Week of the Off-Season
  4. Thanksgiving: THANK YOU BASKETBALL: Create a Basketball Gratitude List
  5. Be Ready for the 1st Day of Tryouts
  6. High School Basketball Tryouts

December (31 days)

  1. Be Ready for the 1st Day of Tryouts
  2. High School Basketball Tryouts
  1. Be Ready for the 1st Day of Tryouts
  2. High School Basketball Tryouts
  3. Week #1 High School Basketball: Tryout Week
  4. Week #2 High School Basketball: Preseason and Scrimmages
  5. Week #3 Let the Games Begin (Week #3)
  6. High School Basketball: What Time is Practice?
  7. Week #5: High School Basketball: Christmas Vacation Week

January (31 days)

  1. Week #6: High School Basketball: Back to School Week
  2. High School Basketball: Tips for Coming Off the Bench
  3. Week #7: High School Basketball: The New Normal
  4. Week #8 High School Basketball: Martin Luther King Week

February (28 days / 29 days in leap years)

  1. February 6th – 12th: High School Basketball: The Midway Point of The Season
  2. February 13th – 19th:
  3. February 20th – 26th:
  4. February 20th – 26th: The Final Week of the Regular Season
  5. February 27th – March 5th:

Additional Blogs

February (28 / 29 days)

March (31 days)

April (30 days)

May (31 days)

June (30 days)

July (31 days)

  1. Attend a Basketball Camp: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp
  2. Play Summer League
  3. Individual Workouts
  4. Work on Strength and Conditioning
  5. Read (Basketball Books)

August Action Plan (31 Days)

  1. July 31st – August 6th: Follow the August Action Plan and complete as many workouts as you can. It is the last days you can use the summer vacation to improve.
  2. Play Summer League
  3. Tryout for a Fall AAU Team
  4. Attend a Basketball Camp: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp
  5. Attend a College “Prospect” Camp
  6. Individual Workouts
  7. Work on Strength and Conditioning (Individual Pushup Chart)
  8. Read (Basketball Books)
  9. Play a Fall High School Sport

September (30 days)

  1. High School Student-Athletes: Start the School Year Strong
  2. High School Basketball: Fall Preseason
  3. Individual Workouts
  4. Play AAU
  5. Play a Fall High School Sport
  6. Work on Strength and Conditioning (Individual Pushup Chart)
  7. Read (Basketball Books)

High School Basketball: Cutting Down the Nets

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Cutting Down the Nets

Jim Valvano and the 1983 NC State Cardiac Pack ACC Champions and NCAA Champions practiced cutting down the nets at one practice each season. Jim Valvano taught his players to dream. And to not only dream, but dream BIG! Coach V would set the scene for the players and get out his gold scissors. The team would practice cutting down the nets and celebrating winning a title.

Jim Valvano created the vision for the team and the team created its own reality, As part of an historic season, the Wolfpack cut down the nets after winning the ACC tournament, defeating college legends, Ralph Sampson (University of Virginia), and Michael Jordan & Sam Perkins (UNC). The team would not have made the NCAA tournament if they were not ACC Champs.

They continued their Cinderella season during March Madness. Winning many close games in the final seconds. The moment that will has been immortalized is the improbable last second victory over the University of Houston and Phi Slama Jama. Every March CBS will show the Lorenzo Charles last second dunk over a bewildered Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon. to beat Houston 52 to 50.

In high school gyms in every state, all around the country, there are coaches and players who celebrate a league championship by cutting down the nets. What a memory for a season and career filled with hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. No matter what grade a player is or the role they have on the team, cutting down the nets should be a moment that will always be treasured because so few people in the world EARN this experience.

Cutting down the nets It is reserved for varsity players on the league championship team. So many great players at all levels, never win a championship. So whether a player is the league MVP leading a team to the championship or the 15th man who never gets to see time on the court. Be proud of your accomplishment! You are a league champion for LIFE!

4th Grade Girls Basketball Shot Chart

In November of 2023, we watched a 4th grade girls basketball game. For fun, we kept a shot chart of one of the teams. A shot chart can be a very useful tool for basketball players, teams and coaches. 

The shot chart was for the 1st half of the game. The halftime score was 12 – 6. The team I kept the chart for scored.

Shot charts provide great feedback, however they are not necessary for every game. 2 – 3 times a season would be useful to most coaches. 

Team Shot Chart: The team shot 3 for 13. 23.1%

  • 3 for 11 2-point attempts 27.2%
  • 0 – 2 3-point attempts 0%

Indvidual Shot Chart:

  • #31 2 for 4 (0-1) 50%
  • #2 0 for 3 0%
  • #1 1 for 6 16.7%

Turnovers No Shots (TONS): I kept one other stat Turnovers No Shots (TONS). There were 14 possessions where the team turned the ball over before attempting a shot. 

Coaches should use statistics to improve the play of the team and to adjust the instruction to correct mistakes. Here is some basketball analysis.

Take Care of the Basketball: The team turned the ball over more often than it was able to get a shot off. The opposing team was playing halfcourt man-to-man defense. It is important for the players on this team to dribble and pass the ball a little better. 

2-Point Attempts Are the Better Option: 27.2% is a respectable shooting percentage at most basketball levels. Focus practice time on 2-point attempts. 

More Players Need to Shoot the Ball: Only having 3 players attempt shots is not a great stat. It is true some of the girls may not have enough skills to attempt to the shoot the ball, but the goal should be to have more players attempt shots. 

The above information was taken as result of the short chart and the turnovers. I did not keep track of individual turnovers, but that information might be useful too. 

The bigger problem was the tournament was not following ALL of USA basketball guidelines for this age group.

AGES 9-11

Guideline Being Following

Basketball: Boys and Girls size 6 (28.5”)

Guideline NOT Being Following

Basket Height: 9′

Distance of 3-point arc: Not applicable

Distance of free throw line: 14′

Basket Height: The biggest guideline is the basket height. Not all gyms allow for adjusting basket height, but if possible it is recommended by USA Basketball. They are the experts on youth basketball, so whenever possible, follow the recommendations. 

Distance of 3-point arc: If the league decides NOT to count 3-point attempts, this would discourage any 3-point attempts. A coach can impose a rule that players cannot shoot 3-point shots too. Bad habits are formed when players shoot outside his / her range and for most 4th graders, a 3-point shot attempt falls into this category. 

Distance of free throw line: This would be helpful, but with the lower basket heights, it would be less of a problem.

Players should practice at 9 foot baskets, even if games are going to be played at 10 feet. 9 Foot hoops allows for players to develop proper shooting form and mechanics.

High School Basketball: The Midway Point of The Season

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The first day of tryouts seems so long ago. It is now the the midway point of the high school basketball season. A lot of basketball has been played and much more basketball is ahead. It is so hard to believe the season is half over. but this is the midway halfway point of the season.

What to expect:

Illness and Injuries: Illnesses and injuries are a part of every single basketball team and season. Sometimes a sickness runs through an entire team. Starters will be home sick and reserve players will get their chance to rise to the occasion.

Key players will be injured and have to miss some or all of the remaining games. These setbacks are simply part of basketball and each team will have its own set of challenges, Some may not be impacted significantly while others may be completely devastated.

Just Work Hard: Every practice, every game, every individual workout, and every lifting session. Just work hard. Good things will happen to players and teams that work hard.

Stay positive: Throughout the highs and lows of a season, one thing can remain constant – your effort and attitude. This goes for coaches, players, and teams.

It’s All About the League: Round two of league math-ups is happening. Down the stretch of the season, the majority of games are league games. Each game is important to crowning a league champion. Teams know each other. Players have personal rivalries. Games start to take on more meaning in many ways.

Throw out the results of the first half of the league play. Many teams are hungry for revenge. Teams will be fighting to make the postseason. Teams will be fighting for a a league title. And seniors will be looking to go out with pride.

Intense Games: Some of the most intense basketball games are played during the final weeks of the season. It can be stressful for parents, exciting for fans, and moments will be created that the players will never forget. So enjoy whatever your role you have in high school basketball.

Rising to the Next Level: Teams and players have grown over the first half of the season. There is even more room for growth for so many players and so many teams. Team defense is critical at this stage of the season. Teams that advance and make the playoffs usually can get stops late in the game, create turnovers, and stop a star player.

Players also will elevate their game to the next level. Those players passed up open shots early in the season are now demanding the ball. Players who would settle for a jump shot are now attacking the rim and finishing with contact. Players that didn’t say a word during the first week of the season are now calling team huddles directing teammates and have become clear leaders on the court.

Academics: As always should be a number one priority for high school basketball players.. Unfortunately, there are players who become academically ineligible for the rest of the season. This is incredibly frustrating for parents, coaches, and teachers. Failing students has been and will always be a problem for those students who do not take academic seriously and do not complete the required amount of work in school.

It should be noted that it takes incredible amount of work to be in eligible. Students do not do homework. Students skip class or do not participate. Students do not pay attention. Take care of the books.

Take it One Day at a Time: This is something that can be applied to any part of the school year any part of the basketball season. However, at this point, it is important just to focus on today and make the most of each day if you look at a short term window focus on the week right there often are two games per week and they should know team should look any further than Friday

High School Basketball: Martin Luther King Week

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Week #8

Martin Luther King Day is the start of Week #8 for high school basketball in Massachusetts. It is a great time to assess the season up to this poing, both as a player and a team. Teams and players know what works best for them and what needs to be done in order to be successful. Continue focusing on the little things that will make a difference.

Martin Luther King week is a typical week in so many ways. The only exception is having Monday off from school. Looking back to Christmas Vacation Week, players can use Monday to accomplish many of the same things that could be accomplished during vacation week.

Individual Improvement: A player can rest a little bit more. It is a great chance to catch up on homework, as many schools end the second term during the Martin Luther King week. It is also a chance to fine-tune individual skills. A player can find a gym and get some shots up. Players can work on some game shooting and scoring moves. It might also be a time to possibly work on strength and conditioning.

Rest and Recover: As we have been stressing for the past several weeks, at this point during the season rest is critical. Illnesses and sickness are happening in every program, on every team. Do not think you are immune. Get proper rest, eat healthy. Be ready to compete at your highest level.

Defining Moments: At some point during the season, there will be a moment in practice or a game that will help define a team and a player’s season. It might be a statement win. It might be a league rivalry match-up. It could be a matchup between the top two teams in the league. It might be a battle between defeated teams. Whatever the case, these defining moments will happen. Embrace these opportunities. Give a fantastic effort, and then move on. For some teams, these defining moments will be disappointing. It might be a one point loss. It might be a 30 point blowout. Whatever the result, remember to “Win the Day” because there is a lot of basketball ahead. Don’t look back!

Just Keep Working: No matter what point of the season, no matter what your role on the team, no matter what year you are, it is essential that you just keep working. The goal is to finish the season strong. The goal is to be a better fundamental player and team each day. Never lose sight of the big picture.

Don’t Point Fingers: Coach K had a famous saying when you point one finger at someone else, three more pointing back at you. The only person you should be concerned with is yourself. Don’t criticize coaching decisions. Don’t criticize the play of teammates. Don’t blame the A.D. for scheduling back to back games. Just look at yourself, focus on your game, watch huddle, and try to be better today than you were yesterday.

Rankings: Don’t worry about rankings and power rankings. Top 10 and top 20 polls are the business of radio and journalists. Don’t be concerned with the rankings, just worry about playing good basketball. The power rankings or something to keep an eye on, however it really should have no impact on your approach to the season this week. Often these are preliminary rankings based on 40 to 50% of games being played. There is a lot of basketball ahead. That is your main concern the basketball that is in front of you right now.

1st Grade Basketball Fundamentals

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1st Grade shooting 

  • Knows the shooting fundamentals  BEEF – balance, elbow, eyes, follow through
  • Hold the ball correctly: line up the seams with shooting hand, non-shooting hand cover the side seams
  • Imaginary shooting: Good “imaginary” shooting without the ball
  • Right block shot, Left block shot (occasionally makes shots)
  • Full Court Block Shot
  • left baseline, center, right baseline (occasionally makes shots)

1st Grade Passing

  • Know “TIPS TO TARGET” & “THUMBS DOWN”
  • Stationary chest pass: Able to make a decent chest pass
  • Stationary bounce pass: Able to make a decent bounce pass, better at selecting the proper point to have the ball bounce (3/4ths the distance). 
  • Game chest pass: Unable to regularly make a chest pass in half game. The pass most commonly used pass is a lob pass that is thrown in the general direction of a teammate.
  • Game bounce pass: Rarely attempted in a game situation. 

1st Grade Catching

  • Able to have hands up in receiving position.
  • Stationary chest pass: Begins to catch a chest pass fairly consistently
  • Stationary bounce pass: Able to catch a bounce pass consistently
  • Game pass: Seldom able to catch a pass in a game situation.

1st Grade Defense 

  • Able to get into a fair defensive stance

Basketball Scoring Move: Full Court Block Shot

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The Full Court Block Shot

There is the one and only true scoring drive for the youngest players. What about the Hail Mary Huck? Well that is really not a scoring more, that is exactly what it is a prayer and huck. It is not a basketball move. It is the first attempt at trying to score basketball, but it truly is not a scoring move. It is a scoring hope or a scoring wish.

The full court block shot is a move that most younger players can be successful at some level. It is great drill to do with younger players at EVERY practice session. It may not always be possible to do the full court version of the shot due to practice space limitations, but a coach can adapt the drill to fit half court. If you only have a half court, adapt the scoring move to fit your practice area.

Coaching Point: A player can use a teaching progression focusing on one step before moving on to the next one

Step #1 Dribbling the Ball Without Traveling.

This is the goal of coaches at the youngest level. Dribbling is the best skill to focus on at the youngest levels. Teach the players not to run with the ball every time they have possession. It may be near impossible for kindergarten players, however as players progress each year the percentage of players who run with the ball should be significantly lower than the previous year.

In an earlier post, we stress the top 10 reason to eaching dribbling is the first skill that should be stressed to young basketball players. Improvement is the true measure of success and being able to dribble the ball without traveling is a huge accomplishment for any basketball player grade 2 and under. So when teaching the full court block shot, stress and praise players who can dribble without running with the ball.

Step #1 Jump Stop

The second step to the block shot is getting to the block and coming to a jump stop.. Coaches are strongly encourage to set up two cones for the takeoff area. Players should dribble to the cones and come to a jump stop.

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Step #3 Top Corner of the Square

The final and most important part of the block shot is shooting the basketball. All players should be reminded to aim for the top corner of the square. This will not always happen, however when players do hit the top corner off the square, very often there will be positive results. Keep encouraging, reinforcing. and praising players who use the top corner of the basketball when taking a block shot.

Coaches should encourage players to complete the Mini-Mikan drill whenever they pick up a basketball. An email can be sent to parents sharing a little workout that the players can complete at home. The players who do it regularly will hopefully see drastic result as the year goes on.

High School Basketball: The New Normal

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Week #7 The New Normal

The start of the basketball season is a series of starts and stops. It is difficult to get into a routine and the Back to School Week can be the biggest adjustment of the season. Week #7 is the official start of the “New Normal.”

The adjustment of going back to school is over. Now it is time for the grind. This is the heart of the high school basketball season when league champions will be crowned and players will face incredible pressures and challenges.There will be typically six practices a week two games a week, and lots of highs and lows.

Now the key for players and team is to just get into a good groove. It is important to be consistent with school and basketball routines, to work hard, and be positive in the face of adversity.

And control what you can control.

It is time for teams to execute a little bit better, rotate on defense a little quicker, and trust teammates more. It is important to respect and prepare for every opponent because there will be many upsets in the upcoming weeks. Your team wants to be on the right side of an upset. Don’t look too closely at scores. Teams can have an off night, injuries have and will happen, and there are always crazy scenarios that result in upsets.

A Player’s Perspective: Remember the Big Picture

Throughout a playing career, it is important to remember that the number one goal is to develop skills and improve. Recognize your role on the team and fill that to the best of your ability. Do a little things that will give you The best chance to succeed tomorrow and next year.

Coach’s Perspective: Remember the Big Picture

Like Jimmy V said in his famous ESPY speech “To me, it’s three things: where you started, where you are, and where you’re going to be.”

Where You Started: Remember the starting point of the season and how the team has grown. There were certain expectations of the team and players on the team. How have those expectations changed after 7 weeks?

Where You Are: What is your record? How are you playing? What can you do NOW to improve for the next few weeks?

Where You’re Going To Be: There is still so much basketball left. Make plans to be the most improved team possible. Set short term goals. Hopefully the team is in contention for a league title or the state tournament. Focus on what can be done to reach the next level.

High School Basketball: 8 Tips for Coming Off the Bench

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High school basketball is an incredible commitment for time, energy, and emotion. The commitment level between an All-State player and the last player on a bench is not much. The mental aspect of being a varsity basketball player can also be very challenging, no matter the role on the team. Each role has unique characteristics.

Coming off the bench can be one of the most difficult roles to fill on a basketball team.

Here are some tips that might help a player thrive in this role.

  1. Put the Team First: Being a part of a high school basketball team is incredible experience that not everybody has the opportunity to be a part of. Remember you are part of a team and any team (good or bad) needs many different players to have a positive experience. Do all you can to be a great teammate. Don’t get discouraged by playing time. Don’t be a cancer on your team and worry only about yourself. Sometimes you may get the short end of the stick. The difference between the six man and the eighth man is very little and can change over the season. Keep working hard in practice and games. Do your best to be a great teammate because years from now, you won’t look back at the minutes player. You will back at each the experience of being part of a high school basketball team.
  2. Embrace The Role: It is very important to embrace your role. Entering the season, you (and your parents) may have had a different idea of your role and how you would contribute to the team. You may have even hoped you would start. Forget about all those ideas and embrace your current role as a contributing member of your team. Coming off the bench, you need to play your best and help your team succeed. Make the most of each opportunity that presents itself.
  3. Know your Role: Each member of a basketball team has a role to fill. Know EXACTLY what is expected of you. You might need a little help defining your role. (Your parents may not be the best resource to honestly and accurately identify your role.) Your coaches and teammates are probably the best resource. If you are not happy with your role, work hard, and fill your roll to the best of your ability. Do what is asked of you and do it to the best of your ability. Go out there and shoot, pass, defend, and / or rebound. Do it better than anyone else can. If you do this, you will continue to get playing time. With hard work and some extra practice on your own, you may even be able to expand your role as the season progresses.
  4. Be Enthusiastic: When your name gets called jump right up and listen to your coach’s instructions. Successful teams need more than five to have a great season. Whatever your situation and wherever you are on the depth chart, make the most of your minutes. Compete. Be excited about the opportunity you have been given – whether it is one minute or one quarter. It is important to make the most of the minutes you are given. Know you have a skill set unlike any other player on your team. You do somethings very well. You may only do one thing very well, but go out with a purpose to make something happen.
  5. Play with Confidence: You now that you are a good basketball player. You know your role on your team. You know what you can do and can’t do. Focus on what you do well and do not try to do anything that you cannot do well. Keep it simple stupid. Be at confident.
  6. Be a Student of the Game: You have the best seat in the house to watch and learn about how high school basketball should be played. Your number one focus should be your team, and the position that you play. If you substitute for one particular player, know exactly what that player is supposed to do. Watch what is being done correctly, and also watch what could be improved. Also study closely the player you will be covering. What is HIS role? What is the game plan for defending him? Is he a scorer or a role player? Are you denying or ready to help teammates?
  7. Be a supportive Teammate: You will probably be spending more time on the bench than on the floor. Be vocal on the bench. Yell support and encouragement for the players on the court. Encourage hard work. Be positive. And get water during timeouts. Be engaged during huddles. And be loud during during breaks.
  8. Work Hard: Keep working hard in practice and games. Do the best to focus on the fundamentals. Do a little extra on games day or after practice on your own. You may be an underclassman. Work hard to be ready for your next opportunity and next year.

Good luck and have a great season.