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The process of becoming a team starts on day one of tryouts and continues until the final whistle blows. We are breaking down a high school basketball season week by week to help players, parents, and fans understand the intricacies of each week.
The 1st week is an emotional rollercoaster for players, coaches, and parents. The transition into the season is a challenge. Hearts are broken with cuts and player placements. Conditioning is a huge part of the 1st week, so players will be hurting both physically and mentally.
Scrimmages are a very important part of the high school basketball preseason. The first scrimmage usually happens towards the end of the first week of a basketball season. Some coaches prefer to have a scrimmage before making the final cut, so they can see players compete against a higher level of competition. In many cases, scrimmages happen after teams have been selected. The scrimmage is a chance for coaches to evaluate the skill level of the players individually. It also is the 1st chance to see the team compete as a unit to see how best to prepare the team for the 1st game and the season.
For players, it is important to remember that a scrimmage is not life or death. “It is just basketball.” If it is your first varsity scrimmage, don’t make a big deal about it. Just go out and play good fundamental basketball.
“They said you have to use your five best players but I found you win with the five who fit together the best.” Red Auerbach
Understand Your Role: There are several different roles on a high school basketball team. Each has value and players are needed to fill those rules. The best way for a player to earn a starting spot or get the most minutes is to know his skill set and focus on these skills. The MAJORITY of high school players have very limited skills. Self-aware players, can focus on what they do well and do this BETTER than any other player on the team.
Some skills that most players do not focus on are defense, rebounding, setting screens, running the floor, and playing turnover-free basketball. Other skills that ALL players should be able to complete consistently but few do are: playing hard, talking on defense, having great body language, and having great shot selection. If a player chooses to REALLY focus on these aspects of basketball, they will increase the chance that they will be a contributing player on their team.
Next Play Mentality (Do not worry about mistakes): Scrimmages are an ugly event. Players are coming off fall sports, playing together for the 1st time, and are very nervous. This is an awful combination for good fundamental basketball. There will be many mistakes during preseaon scrimmages. Even though players may have played together during a fall league high school basketball is a very different level. The officiating is tighter, the competition is better, the defense is intense, and the intensity is at a much higher level.
Many fall athletes will be rusty. Do not get frustrated. Remember, it is the start of the season and the goal is to get better each day. When you do make a mistake, forget about it and focus on the next play. Sprint back on defense. Do not play in reverse. Do not let mistakes and turnovers impact how you play.
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
Just Work: Work hard all the time. Players who make this a habit will have great long-term results. Play hard. Get on the floor. Take a charge. It is just work. If you work hard during preseason scrimmages and every day in practices, everything else will take car of itself.
Line-ups & Depth Chart: A primary goal of preseason scrimmages for a coaching staff is to finalize the starting line-up and rotations. Coaches will try different lineups and different positions for players. The only concern a player should have is to try to do what the coach is asking to the best of his ability. Do not worry about whether you are playing with the 1st unit or the 3rd unit. Do not worry whether you are playing in the post or on the wing. Just play good fundamental basketball. Trust your teammates. And most importantly, work your tail off.
Good luck and be ready for the next practice and the 1st game.