Getting More Playing Time

It takes a mental toll on any player when he or she isn’t getting a lot of playing time (if any at all). The good news is that there’s still time to make an impact on your team… even if you’re not playing. Here are some tips that we have for our in-season players:

• Do the little things in practice… we call these effort stats because any player can do them: Box out, make deflections, draw charges, dive for loose balls, work hard to get rebounds, and really get after it on defense!

• Be positive in practice and on the bench in games! This is very hard to do when you are upset that you’re not playing, but you have to remember that you’re still a big part of the team. You can make a big impact if you are loud and energetic on the bench. Lethargic bench players ruin good energy and team chemistry.

• Be a play maker. Try to set up your teammates with easy shots and open layups. Work on getting in the lane and kicking out to a teammate for an open shot. Make easy passes, be under control, and make sure you‘re smart and take care of the basketball in practice… you want your coaches to have the confidence to put you in a game.

• Keep working on your weaknesses… get to practice early and work on skills that you are not good at. Also, encourage your teammates to do this with you.

• Set goals. We encourage our players at Premier Hoops to be goal oriented. Set three short term and three long term goals to work towards. Make it a short term goal to get more playing time and a long term goal to become a starter.

Remember, although the season comes to an end, basketball continues. Keep working hard towards your goals in the off-season!