Division III College Basketball: December

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December is a stop and go month for some Division III Basketball teams and leagues. With the end of the semester, reading week, and finals, so programs do not practice at all. There are no commitments for members of the program, although some may choose to complete individual workouts.

November 25th – December 1st: Thanksgiving Week Some schools will give the players Wednesday and Thursday off. Friday practice will be later in the day and there will be games on Saturday or Sunday, and in some cases maybe both days.

December 2nd – December 8th: A typical week for most colleges. However the last game before Christmas may be played on Sunday.

December 9th – December 15th: Reading Week and Finals.

December 16th – December 22nd: Reading Week and Finals.

December 23rd – December 29th: Winter Break: Practice starts up December 26th the day after Christmas and many teams have a two-day tournament.

December 30th – January 5th: Winter Break. Many teams travel to play in a tournament or play opponents from another part of the country.

College Basketball: Winter Break

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December 9th – December 15th (0 games): Reading Week and Finals.

December 16th – December 22nd (0 games): Reading Week and Finals.

December 23rd – December 29th (1 game): Winter Break: Practice starts up December 26th the day after Christmas and many teams have a two-day tournament.

December 30th – January 5th (3 games): Winter Break. Many teams travel to play in a tournament or play opponents from another part of the country.

January 6th – January 12th (2 games): The final week before students return to campus. It has been nice to be a college athlete for a few weeks without having to worry about the student part of it. Get ready for back to school and get off to a great start academically.

6 games total

High School Basketball: How to Use Hudl to Analyze your Game

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Hudl is one of the most useful tools for high school basketball players and coaches. So many players use it to create highlight reels, but it is important to also looks at areas where play can be improved.

Here are a few tips on how to analyze hudl for high school basketball players.

1. Check in time with score and check out time with score. This is very important for a player to understand. How does the team do when a player is in the game. Basketball is a team game. It’s not how about individual stats, it is about how the TEAM plays when you are on the court. If the team has success, a player will earn more playing time.

It is also good to know the trend of the game when you check into a game so you can mentally prepare and be ready for that opportunity. Many high school coaches have a set rotation and several others might change the rotation from game to game week to week. However, your coach does it you gotta be ready when your number is called.

2. Turnovers This is probably the most critical aspect of the game that can help increase minutes for a player. Hopefully there are games when you do not have to analyze one turnover, but chances are there will be a few turnovers to look at. If a player has to analyze this two or three turnovers in four minutes of playing time enjoy your analysis might not be much more in the future.

To play varsity high school basketball it is critical to minimize turnovers and it is essential to value the ball. Players who value the ball will gain trust to the coach and will gain more playing time. There are many reasons players turn the ball. Understand what you can do wrong so next time you can make the correct decision.

The correction might be as simple as get the ball to a guard..

Catch and Shoot (makes and misses). The majority of high school basketball field goal attempts are catch and shoot. This category is probably the easiest analyze. If you’re a shooter, your shot you look the same every time. If you’re not a shooter, shot selection is very important.

A few things to consider when analyzing a field goal attempt

  • Time and score: How much time is left on the shot clock? (two for one possessions)
  • Shooting within your range: Is it within your range.

We highly recommend that the speed be set to the slowest speed possible to look at every aspect of your shot. The most important one we believe is the 22 follow through.

We choose to analyze scoring opportunities by category because each categories is different. There may be some categories that you’re not ready to take.

Shot off dribble this is a more advanced skill in shooting. Shooting dribbling to your weak hand is also a challenge for most high school players.

Hudl can break down most types of shots, but a player should be aware of how effective he is shooting going to the strong hand and shooting to the weak hand.

The move that you’re more comfortable executing, is the mover that you should look for.

Scoring moves: A player’s goal is to get to the million dollar move. Each varsity player should have a scoring move that they can feel confident using in a game when the opportunity presents itself. It is a move that should have a high rate of success.

These types of scoring moves are attacking the rim and finishing with a layup. There was a great around the world scoring series that can help you master these moves. Most average high school basketball players do not have a scoring move. It is usually the all league players that have the ability to score in a variety of ways 

We hope this provides a player with a good start

Coach John Wooden: 26 Rules for Every Day Living


We love basketball and Coach John Wooden. Here are some great words of wisdom from the Wizard of Westwood, legendary UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden.

An entire list of Coach Wooden’s favorite maxims can be found at the end of an incredible book – Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations On and Off the Court, written by Coach John Wooden with Steve Jamison.

The list of maxims was so amazing and overwhelming, that I decided to sort the maxims into themes. We hope players, coaches, and parents can find some of them useful.

John Wooden’s Favorite Maxims

Part I: Rules for Every Day Living

  1. “Love is the greatest word in our language.”
  2. “Earn the right to be proud and confident.”
  3. “Nothing can give you greater joy than doing something for another.”
  4. “Happiness begins where selfishness ends.”
  5. “Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details.”
  6. “Discipline yourself and others won’t need to.”
  7. “If I am through learning, I am through.” (As a teacher I love this one)
  8. “Be more concerned with what you can do for others than what others can do for you. You’ll be surprised at the results.”
  9. “If you do not have time to do it right, when will you find time to do it over?”
  10. “The smallest good deed is better than the best intention.”
  11. “Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.”
  12. “It is what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
  13. “The time to make friends is before you need them.”
  14. “The more concerned we become over the things we can’t control, the less we will do with the things we can control.”
  15. “Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.”
  16. “As long as you try your best, you are never a failure. That is, unless you blame others.”
  17. “Material things are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)”
  18. “You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for another without thought of something in return.”
  19. “Forget favors given; remember those received.”
  20. “Make friendship a fine art.”
  21. “Tell the truth. That way you don’t have to remember a story.”
  22. “If we magnified our blessings as much as we magnified our disappointments, we would all be much happier.”
  23. “Do not permit what you cannot do to interfere with what you can do.”
  24. “Never make excuses.  Your friends don’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.”
  25. “Never be disagreeable just because you disagree.”
  26. John Wooden has a great life philosophy that applies to so much more than athletics. Please stay tuned for later posts on John Wooden’s Maxims.

Youth Basketball: 4th Grade Playing Time Rotation

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USA Basketball recommendation: Equal playing time in periods 1-3. Coaches discretion in the fourth period and each extra period.

USA Basketball has many great resources, including basket height, which should be 9 feet and ball size. Players should use a size 6 basketball.

USA Basketball, in our biased opinion, is one of the best basketball organizations in the world for youth basketball coaches. Their job is basketball and basketball development. They are not parents. Judgment can be blurred by being a parent. They are basketball experts with combined backgrounds and experience that no youth coach could ever acquire. If you are a youth basketball coach or a parent, we highly recommend that become very familiar with USA website. Become an expert on your child’s age and the ages around your child. USA Basketball has developed a curriculum for each age. The guidelines that they feel our best for individual players and the national program.

(Over the years I have found this 11-man basketball rotation to be very helpful.)

What should the guidelines be for 4th grade?

4th grade basketball players are still very, very young. This is the 5th year in school, so most have played several seasons of organized sports. It is still too young to be playing more than 5 months of basketball, although many players at this age are playing year-round. (Commentary: WAY too young.), so it should be a year when coaches con introduce more basketball skills and concepts.

Most leagues play on a 10 foot hoop which goes against USA basketball guidelines. If possible, a coach should recommend to parents and players to practice on a 9 foot hoop so they can develop proper shooting fundamentals. Being a good shooter is was separates players in high school.

It is critical for a coach to be aware of the USA basketball guidelines. They have a fantastic website with so much to offer rookie and veteran youth coaches.

Youth Basketball: 3rd Grade Playing Time Rotation

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Second grade playing playing time. USA Basketball has many great resources, including basket height, which should be 8 feet and ball size. We should be size 5, in terms of playing time, it is recommended that everybody plays.

USA Basketball recommendation: Equal playing time.

USA Basketball, in our biased opinion, is one of the best basketball organizations in the world for youth basketball coaches. Their job is basketball and basketball development. They are not parents. Judgment can be blurred by being a parent. They are basketball experts with combined backgrounds and experience that no youth coach could ever acquire. If you are a youth basketball coach or a parent, we highly recommend that become very familiar with USA website. Become an expert on your child’s age and the ages around your child. USA Basketball has developed a curriculum for each age. The guidelines that they feel our best for individual players and the national program.

(Over the years I have found this 11-man basketball rotation to be very helpful.)

What should the guidelines be for third grade?

3rd grade basketball players are still very, very young. This is their 4th year in school, so most are decent at paying attention and following directions. Some have also participated in youth sports and if you can believe it club sports. (Commentary: WAY too young.), so it should be a year when coaches con introduce more basketball skills and concepts.

It is critical for a coach to be aware of the USA basketball guidelines. They have a fantastic website with so much to offer rookie and veteran youth coaches.

Cut from High School Basketball Team? Join Indoor Track!

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I just got cut from Basketball . What next?

Getting cut from a basketball team at any level is disappointing and discouraging. There are many reasons a player might get cut, however, the reality is, you will not be wearing a basketball uniform this season.

There’s a great saying when “When God closes one door, another opens.”

Not all high schools have an indoor track program. But if you are fortunate to be in a school with an indoor track team, this is a great option. Most high school basketball players do not play after their last senior game. So the benefits of being on a basketball team – friendships, work ethic, discipline, and relationships. can also be accomplished by being a member of an indoor track team. You can strive to be a little bit better each day. Track is a great sport because you really compete against yourself and your personal records. And like Basketball it is a sport you can play the rest of your life.

If you are an underclassman with hopes of making the basketball team next year, it’s important for you to realize that you must get significantly better in order to make the team. And one thing you have to be aware of is how much time you have to improve your basketball skills.

Create a countdown calendar, so you know exactly what you can do between now and the first day of tryouts. Being in the best shape of your life is the number one thing. Participating in Indoor Track and Spring Track can do to increase your conditioning and chances of making a basketball team next season. So work your tail off an indoor track.

Strength is another area where you can improve to increase your chances of making the basketball team next season. Depending upon your school’s facilities lifting should be a big part of your winter workouts.

If you’re a senior, or have given up on your goal of becoming a high school basketball player, be the best track athlete you can. Put your heart and soul into it. And have fun.

If you still want to be a basketball player, continue reading…

Speak to The Coach: If you were cut, it is highly recommended that you speak to your coach about what you can do to improve as a player. Some coaches may not know your game that well, and they may give generic answers. Others may know you fairly well, from being in the program or watching you at camps of in fall leagues. These coaches may have very specific advice on what you can do to increase the chances next year.

Have an open mind when the coaches give you feedback, do not be defensive, and take what they have given you and try to devise a work out plan that focuses on these skills.

Get a ball in your hands as much as possible.

Think outside the box: Purchase a few racquetballs and have them in your coat pocket. Anytime you’re walking anywhere,dribble it. If you’re waiting for a train or bus dribble it. If you are waiting for a train or a bus or you are in the car, squeeze it. You can always have better hand eye coordination. And your wrist and hands can always be stronger both of these activities will do will make you better. Dribble the ball between your legs or dribble behind your back. It is not easy to dribble a racquetball, and if you master this during the winter, Basketball will be that much easier.

Vacation windows: Remember your goal is to make the basketball team next year. If you really are committed to this goal, Christmas break and February break will involve many basketball workouts. At least one per day. Perhaps some days two a day. If you happen to go on vacation, try to find some workouts you can do during vacation, but enjoy vacation.

Be a better shooter: The easiest way to make a basketball team is to be the best shooter on the team. This is a title only one player can earn. And it is earned. It is not too late to be the best shooter in your program. It will take aastering of the BEEF shooting technique. It will require hours and hours of practice. It will require keeping track of shooting percentages during your workouts. It is something most people reading this cannot do.

Dave Hopla was a JV junior who worked his tail off between his sophomore year and his senior year to to have the opportunity to play in college. He played in the Continental Basketball Association, professionally over Northern Ireland, and made a career out of being a world class shooting clinicians and instructor. Even being an NBA shooting coach.

Here is the shooting workout that we highly recommend.

One hand form shooting: Make five in a row, then step back until you can no longer make five in a row.

Around the world shooting: Start on the baseline two-hand form shooting. Make five in a row until you can no longer make five in a row.

50 shot drill: It’s important that you have to find your range. Once your range is defined, you were going to make 50 shots. 10 from each location. Record your score. Shoot from 5 main spots – right baseline, right wing, top of the key, left wing, left baseline.

It’s important that you have a shooting journal so you know if you are improving and how much you are improving by.

Always look to expand your range. You should be making 60 to 80% of your shots. If you’re not reaching this number, you’re out of your range and your form is bad.

Ray Allen drill. The goal is to make 25 shots in two minutes.

Larry Bird drill

Check how many days until the season. And then start to get weekly goals. How many shooting workouts we get during indoor track season. We recommend at least one and possibly two. If you have time to do more fantastic. If you can consistently make 60 to 80% of your shots. If you can consistently beat Ray Allen. And if you can consistently beat Larry Bird, there are not many programs you cannot make in the country.

The last drill is one of Dave Hopla‘s favorites. He finishes every shooting lecture with this drill. It’s called. beat the pro good luck and focus on your form, shooting and form running.