I have seen players walk into the locker room before a game but are told not to get dressed and to see the GM first, only to find out that they have been traded. 

I have seen rookie players get denied a spot for refusing to sing during the training camp. One of the many things rookies have to but sometimes refuse to do so. “If you won’t do something as simple as singing, how can the coach trust that you will listen to in-game strategies.” 

I have known and seen players who were released but didn’t even know it. 

I have seen coaches get fired only to learn that the new coach had been watching the game before getting fired. 

Seeing all these things made me realize how important it is to have fun while playing basketball. There are so many things that may be out of your control and other factors may play a big role in those types of decisions. 

There were days when playing basketball wasn’t fun but it had nothing to do with basketball. The factors that make basketball a business makes it less fun and may have an adverse impact on players. Young basketball players should not be dealing with the business side of basketball. 

Every basketball player is endowed with a competitive spirit. Some players even want to be the best at everything they do.

There is nothing wrong with that! We are supposed to give our best in everything. To be one of the best, you must face adversity. You have to deal with the results, win or lose.

You have to deal with a teammate who may cause your team to lose. You have to deal with your coach after losing the game. At some point, you might also lose the game for your team.

The most important thing in a team is chemistry. Know when your teammate needs a pick-me-up. Remind them that the road to greatness includes ups and downs. 

There are so many things that I have seen and heard about playing basketball over the years. This is the reason why it is important for kids to always have fun while working hard. They should learn to never quit, to stay disciplined and to always believe in themselves. I feel that kids should not be burdened with all of the unnecessary stress that comes with the game of basketball.

 I hope a lot of kids can achieve their dreams of playing college or professional basketball. Playing basketball will always be fun. However, there may be times when the business aspect can take the fun away.

As a coach, I try to find ways on how I can prepare players when they are faced with these kinds of situations. I aim to mentally prepare young basketball players to be tough and to have fun while getting better.

When basketball players look back at their career, they always talk about their youth-playing days. It’s our job to make it a great experience! 

Contact us at 704-299-4473 to learn more about our training, camps and clinics! At Guard U Basketball, we keep it fun!

Transition defense is one of those situations that was so important we would work on it everyday. Sometimes the drills may have only lasted 5 minutes but it was not about the time we spent doing it.

We did it because it was important to the long term success of our team and the foundation for building our defense. Many teams today use 4 guards and play at a high pace. To become a team that is great in transition when on offense, the team has to limit turnovers, take good shots and sprint back with 5 defenders below the ball.

By limiting turnovers it will help stop the 2 on 1 or any other situations where the team gets easy chances to score. When a team takes good shots on offense it allows for the other players to get in position to get an offensive rebound or get back. The point guard and the shooting guard usually get back when the shot is taken to half court.

When they drive for a layup or shoot a shot in the corner, another player should get back. Taking a bad shot leads to easy transition baskets because other players are not in a position to do their job. When the offensive player has the ball, all 5 defenders should be in front of the ball and in position to help. Stopping the ball in transition gives you a chance to set up your half-court defense.

The goal of a good defense is to make a team work and score in half court. Depending on the team or player that you play, there will be certain situations that you will have to look to defend in transition.

In transition, the player may have to guard a player that they were not originally guarding. Some teams have players that are very good at running the wing in transition. At times the point guard has to take this player to keep the ball from being passed ahead. The other players should find the open man and be in a position to help. When the defensive player gets a chance, they can switch back to their original player or someone of the same size.

When the team has an offensive player that is good in transition the defense may want to use another defender as extra help in the transition. Usually, the player guarding the offensive player behind the ball should be the player in position to help on the driver. The goal of this is to show the offensive player that there is help and no clear driving lanes to the basket.

It is always important for post players to sprint back on defense in transition. They are usually the players that are used to help early on the offensive players who like to attack in transition. Offensive teams may also have post players that sprint the middle in transition. The longer it takes the post defender to get back in transition, the more pressure it puts on the guards. The guards will have to defend the bigger player and create an advantage for the offense.

In the next blog, we will go over some of these situations. In the meantime, grab a copy of the book, FROM AMATEURS TO PROS which explains these situations and what defensive teams or players may face. Players will learn how to defend these situations as individuals and as a team. The book also includes the fundamental principles of offense that will help players and teams develop a higher IQ.