In order to shine as a hockey defenseman,
mastering puck protection is crucial for both defensive and offensive
success. This course details various drills and skills necessary for a
defenseman to thrive when protecting the puck in both zones, generating
scoring chances for their teams.
Here are some essential drills for defensemen to become puck-protecting beasts.
Small Area Games:
2 v 2 or 3 v 3 Picket Fences:
Picket fences are great small-area games for defensive players enforcing puck protection in a limited amount of space.
Offensive
players get two points for scoring a goal and defensemen receive one
point for skating the puck out or through the two cones set up at the
blue line.
How the drill is set up is defenseman and offense are
lined up on a preferred side of the zone (the picket fence) and two
cones are positioned on the opposite side next to each other at the blue
line.
The offensive players try to create chances and passing
lanes by being diligent with the puck and try to score some goals. While
defenseman try to cover offensive players and protect the puck in
fashions that don’t result in turnovers or chances for the other team.
Picket fences enforce quick decisions in tight spaces preparing players for game-like circumstances.
FCG:
Four Corners teaches players how to effectively make decisions with the puck with limited time and space.
The drill can be either 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 in the middle of the four corners.
Cones
are set up in four separate corners on a preferred side of the ice with
one player staying in each corner, and four players in the center.
With
two distinct teams, two from each are in the middle of the zone, and
teammates for either team are in the corners diagonal from each other. A
puck is dumped into the middle of the zone where players from either
team gain possession and protect the puck from the other two players.
The players in the middle then try to achieve passing to one of their players in the corner to gain points.
Where one point is gained for each pass made to a teammate in a corner.
2 v 1 Puck Protection Help:
This drill employs defensemen with abilities to escape forecheckers and learn how to move without the puck.
Two
extra players are standing at the tops of the circles, the coach dumps a
puck into the corner where the defenseman gets a head start and two
forwards forecheck the defensemen.
The defenseman tries to
protect the puck from the forwards and can use the two extras as outlets
for passes to create space and time.
The two forwards try to take the puck from the defenseman and score on the net.
If
the offensive players score they get one point, but if the defenseman
is able to protect the puck and escape the forecheckers he gets two
points.
Two-on-One Battle:
While one-on-one drills are very common for
developing defenseman skills, this drill enables hockey defensemen to
make decisions under pressure.
A puck is dumped into the corner
where the defenseman goes first, and the two offensive players chase but
do not actually take the puck.
The forecheckers flip their sticks around and chase the puck handler building comfortably for the defenseman with forecheckers.
For the defenseman to win the drill, they must skate the puck out or the coach blows the whistle.
Simple yet effective in establishing puck protection skills in the most vital part of the ice for a defenseman.
Basic Puck Protection Around the Net:
Variation #1:
These two variations are very basic drills, but
without a doubt essential to master for a defenseman building
comfortably with pressure.
Coach dumps a puck into the corner from a preferred side of the blue line.
Defensemen
are lined up behind the blue line, where one player starts the drill
from the hash marks on the same side of the zone as the coach.
The
player begins skating backward portraying an actual dump-in,
transitions to forwards, picks up the puck, but observes and surrounds
the puck.
Takes the puck around the net protecting the biscuit
from an imaginary or actual forechecker and proceeds to make a crisp
pass to the line of defenseman at the blue line.
Enabling the next player in line to go.
Variation #2:
The coach and defenseman are in same spot as
Variation #1, the puck is dumped into the corner, the defenseman starts
skating backward, transitions to forward, and observes where to take
space.
Protects the puck from the forechecker and takes the puck
to the back of the net, stops, wheels out the same side he/she started
from, and makes a firm pass to the line of players at the blue line.
To
make the drill more game-like and possibly more enticing, the coach
could throw an actual forechecker in there and tell the defenseman to
make a decision around the net in any matter the player wishes.
Hopefully getting around the forechecker and making a pass to the line of players in one fashion or another.
Building very essential game-like skills to protect the puck from forecheckers.
Longtail Puck Protection Drill
Longtail is a drill that promotes offensive
skills but teaches players how to protect the puck and keep moving to
create a scoring chance in the offensive zone.
Two lines of
players are positioned on opposite sides of the blueline facing the net,
two players on both sides are positioned stationary at the top and
bottom of the circles.
Where two cones on both sides of the ice are set up about three to four feet from the tops of the circle.
The
first player in line starts the drill on one side, does a figure eight
around both stationary players while protecting the puck from their
stick checks.
Finishes the figure eight at the top of the circle,
comes around the cone, and takes a quick shot on net following their
rebound.
The next player in line can go once the player finishes his/her figure eight.
After the player takes their shot, they take the place of the stationary player at the bottom of the circle.
Rotating
from taking their shot, moving to the lower stationary player,
advancing to the higher stationary player, and back into line, forming
an effective drill system.
An excellent drill when stations are set up in different areas of the ice.
It seems evident
that the lack of a biblical or spiritually positive world view is at the
core of the depression problem plaguing the world. No, it's not
politics, it's a lack of God in our lives. Let's be the change we need
Warriors Of LIght. Let's Rock!
Presented on US Sports by Ticketnetwork The Hot Ticket Sat Nov 23 7:00 PM Disciple, Seventh Day Slumber & Magdalene Rose Ridglea Room - Fort Worth, TX https://tinyurl.com/HotTicketDisciple Support the show & Get the tunes that you hear on the show and swag that show that you rock for the King! @ Apple Music - https://apple.co/3R0qwH4 @ Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3S6Kcub It would be awesome for you to share, like, rumble and give a thumbs up (or down to) this video! Your
donations are always appreciated. A portion of your donations will be
given to Christ-centered ministries and organizations doing the Lord's
work in these last days. May God richly bless you! Donate here: https://bit.ly/3RWo4mg It
would be an honor to have to have you Like, (Rumble) and Subscribe to
this channel. We pray it's an inspiration to you and fam".
There are several amazing things about the game
of soccer, and several aspects of the game that makes every bit of it
exciting from passing, to goal scoring and tackling. One aspect of the
game that makes it so attractive even for people that are not soccer
fans is dribbling.
Dribbling
is an aspect of the game that separates a dominant player from the
average player. The ability to carry the ball up the field past a
defender is such a vital part of becoming a better soccer player. Speed,
balance, endurance, agility, and body control are essential factors in
making a soccer player successful in dribbling. The idea is for a soccer
player’s dribbling skills to become second nature, so when the time
arises they naturally perform the necessary move for that particular
situation.
As a soccer coach,
dribbling is one of the most important types of soccer drills that you
have to incorporate in your soccer practices.
An essential
definition of dribbling that a soccer player cannot forget is that
dribbling is the art of keeping the ball away from the opposition at a
close range as you go past them.
To become a dominant player
on the pitch, you must have the ability to control the ball at your feet
and move anywhere you want on the pitch. That’s what top players do,
they can go wherever they want on the pitch, they create spaces where
some can’t find them, and all these are possible because of their
excellent dribbling skills.
It is vital that all soccer coaches
provide practices that will help their players develop excellent ball
control and get creative in the process.
10 DRIBBLING DRILLS THAT CAN TAKE YOU FROM A ROOKIE TO A PRO
1. STRAIGHT CONE DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective
of the drill is to help the players keep the ball at a short pace, an
attribute that is expected of a good dribbler. This will help their
touch and control of the ball.
Set-up
10 cones on a straight line at an equidistance apart. Distance may be between 0.8m to 1.5m.
Execution
➢
The trainer stands at the sideline when he blows the whistle, and he
kicks the ball at a very high velocity to the player standing by the
first cone.
➢ The player must control the ball well and start dribbling through the cone.
➢
Players practice dribbling through the cones with the inside of both
feet, outside of both feet; inside and outside of the right foot; inside
and outside of the left foot.
➢ On getting to the last cone, the
player must make quick touches with the ball and get back to the first
cone at the fastest of their pace.
➢ Repeat as the coach instructs.
Coaching tips
The
drill must be performed with total concentration. This drill will help
the players keep the ball better even when under pressure.
2. FORTH & BACK CONE DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective
of the drill is to help a player’s tenacity when dribbling. The drill
also helps improve players physical fitness and turns during the game.
Set-up
At least 5 cones on a straight line at an equidistance apart. Distance may be between 4-5M.
Execution
➢
This drill comes in two folds, one with the ball moving on a straight
line and the second one with the ball dribbling through the cones.
➢
For the first one, starting at Cone 1, sprint with the ball to Cone 2.
Turn and sprint back to Cone 1. Turn and sprint to Cone 3, back to Cone
1, and so on.
➢ For the second one, starting at Cone 1, sprint
with the ball and dribble through to Cone 2. Turn and sprint back to
Cone 1. Turn and sprint with the ball and dribble through to Cone 3,
back to Cone 1, and so on
➢ Once you have reached all four cones and are back at Cone 1, take a 30-second rest before starting the next set.
Coaching tips
The drill must be performed at a very high energy level. And it must be repeated before doing something else.
3. ONE ON ONE CONTROLLED DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective of the drill is to help players harness ball control and handling.
Set-up
Set up a 20m by 20m pitch using cones to mark the corners. Make two 4m goals at each end line.
Execution
➢ The game starts in the middle of the pitch, and anyone can start with the ball.
➢ For a player to score, he must dribble the other player before attempting to play the ball through the goal cones.
➢ After a player scores, the other player starts with the ball from their end line (where the other player scored).
➢ The quickest to scores 3-5 goals wins. Depending on the coach’s decision.
Coaching tips
Maximum effort must be put into this drill, and the players must control the ball and make sure they dribble a lot.
4. CIRCULAR CONE DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective of the drill is to help players make quick touches to cut the ball around the circle area.
Set-up
Set up at least 10 cones in radius 5-10m. The distance of one cone to the other must be short.
Execution
➢ The players must move the ball round and round the circle.
➢ The players do this as many times as possible.
➢ The drill must be carried out at a top speed of each player.
Coaching tips
The players must raise their head even as they dribble, not to concentrate on the ball at all time.
5. RANDOM DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective of the drill is to help players make quick turns and excellent dribble speed to escape their markers.
Set-up
Set up as many as possible cones not in a specific manner. All must be set irregularly at any chosen equidistance.
Execution
➢ The trainer must stand near, and the players begin when he blows the whistle.
➢ The drill must be carried out at a very fast pace.
➢ The trainer must be hard on the players and tell them to go faster during the drill.
➢ In no regular manner, the players should dribble through the cones, all of it.
Coaching tips
The
drill enhances concentration during the game, and it helps the players
have a better understanding and connection with the ball and how to move
it.
6. ONE AGAINST TWO DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective
of the drill is to help players develop the confidence to dribble in 1
on 1 or 1 on 2 situation. The drill will improve their vision, change of
direction, speed, finishing technique, and confidence around the box.
Set-up
One
goalkeeper at the post, set up two different gates at a few meters
distance in front of the goal. Two players should stand each gate and
prevent the offensive players from passing. The offensive players must
try to get past the two defenders and score.
Execution
➢
When the trainer blows the whistle, the first player in the offensive
line must attempt to dribble past the defender in the first and second
gate.
➢ The defenders should move to prevent their gates at all cost.
➢ If the offensive player succeeds in dribbling past the two gates, he should approach the goalkeeper and shoot at goal.
➢ If the defenders were able to win the ball from the attacker, the attacker must return to the offensive line.
➢
If the attacker scores or the goalkeeper prevents him from scoring,
either way, the attacker should return to the offensive line to go
again.
➢ The next offensive player in line can begin their turn
after the player in front of them has scored, or lost the ball to the
defenders or goalkeeper.
➢ The drill continues for as long as the trainer wants, and the tenacity varies according to the players’ category.
Coaching tips
Encourage
the players to be creative and to find out what moves work best for
them. Also, remind the players to dribble at speed while also keeping
close control of the ball and they should be decisive when they take on a
defender.
7. ROUND THE CYCLIC CONE DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The objective of the drill is to help the consistency and focus of the players when they are dribbling.
Set-up
A big cone in the center and at least 20 cones in a cyclic format around the big cone.
Execution
➢ When the trainer blows the whistle, the player starts moving inside the arranged cone with the ball.
➢ The player goes with full speed maintaining short touches on the ball.
➢ On getting to the big cone, the player must turn swiftly and start going out again with full speed.
➢ On getting to the starting point, another player should start the drill.
➢ The drill should be executed at an increasing speed as many times as possible.
Coaching tips
To
be a good dribbler, consistency must be maintained under a little or
big pressure. When dribbling into the cone, encourage the players to try
to keep their eyes up when dribbling to build good habits and vision.
8. ROUND THE SQUARE DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The drill
ensures that players stay alert to their surroundings to avoid losing
the ball to the opponent. Also helps improve player’s connection with
the ball.
Set-up
Four cones of different
colors on each side of the pitch, the cones must be close, and each
player must be standing by the cone.
Execution
➢ At the sound of the whistle, the player must start moving the ball with the inside of their foot within the cone.
➢ The drill must be executed at a fast pace.
➢
At the sound of the whistle, the players must switch to the other cone
and start moving the ball with the outside of their foot.
➢ The coach must be there to give hasten up any player going slow with the ball.
➢ At every sound of the whistle, the players must switch intermittently.
➢ The drill stops when the trainer deems it fit; then other players can take turns.
Coaching tips
The
coach must encourage the players to master using the inside and outside
of their foot through this drill. Good dribblers know how to use the
inside and the outside of their foot.
9. MUSICAL DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The drill helps
the players to develops their dribbling and ball control skills in a
fun manner. The activity also encourages players to maintain awareness
and find the nearest cone.
Set-up
Set up a
rectangular playing grid in no particular manner according to the
number of participants you want. The cones should be lesser than the
number of players; if there are 8 players, the tall cones should be 7.
Each player with a soccer ball as the trainer prepares the music
(whistle can be used as well).
Execution
➢ For this drill, the players should use their weaker foot to dribble.
➢ Every touch on the ball must be for one split second, not more.
➢ To start this drill, the trainer begins playing music or blows the whistle; then the players start dribbling inside the grid.
➢
Immediately the music stops or the whistle sounds, each player must
dribble towards the nearest cone and knock it over with their soccer
ball.
➢ Any player that couldn’t knock over a cone is out of the game; they can continue playing outside the playing area.
➢
Before starting the next round, players should reset the cones, and the
trainer takes out one random cone so that there are more players than
cones inside the grid.
➢ The ball must be dribbled everywhere
inside the grid, and players must not stand still; otherwise, they are
warned or disqualified from the game.
➢ The game continues in this manner until there is one player left inside the grid and is declared the winner.
➢ Repeat the game as many times as needed.
Coaching tips
Encourage
the players to move to every corner of the playing area, and no one
must be seen trying to target the nearest cone before the music is
stopped. The stop of the music is meant to help the players awareness.
10. BULLDOG ATTACK DRIBBLE DRILL
Objective
The drill is
made to be fun and enjoyable for young players to develop their
dribbling skills. It will help players improve their ball control as
well as their awareness.
Set-up
Set up a
square or rectangular playing grid in no particular manner according to
the number of participants you want. Each player inside the playing area
is with a soccer ball. There is one player outside the playing area
without a soccer ball; this player is the “Bulldog.”
Execution
➢
At the sound of the trainer’s whistle, the players begin dribbling
inside the playing area. After 10-20 seconds, the 'bulldog' is released
into the playing area. The bulldog will attempt to kick the soccer ball
of the players out of bound.
➢ The players dribbling with the ball inside the playing area must protect the ball from the bulldog.
➢
Any player whose ball got knocked out by the bulldog goes out for few
seconds and upon the sound of the whistle becomes a bulldog together
with the other bulldogs and also attempts to knock out other players
ball.
➢ The game continues in this manner until there is only one player left with a soccer ball.
➢ The last player that has their soccer ball is declared the winner, and the next round begins.
➢ Play as many rounds as needed.
Coaching tips
The
players must do well to protect their ball using dribbling skills and
proper body positioning, they must also use speed and sudden change of
direction to get away from the Bulldogs. They must also look around to
be aware of where the Bulldogs are.
Good day Warriors Of Light! Fortunately
for much of society, the racial idolatry that has gripped many a nation
and organization is fading under its own hypocrisy. As this has been
used to divide us and to eventually conquer us, let's inject the word
and the ministry of Jesus into every interaction with our fellow man.
And let us be amazed by the results. Let's Rock!
Presented on US Sports by Ticketnetwork The Hot Ticket Sat Nov 23 7:00 PM Disciple, Seventh Day Slumber & Magdalene Rose Ridglea Room - Fort Worth, TX https://tinyurl.com/HotTicketDisciple Support the show & Get the tunes that you hear on the show and swag that show that you rock for the King! @ Apple Music - https://apple.co/3R0qwH4 @ Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3S6Kcub It would be awesome for you to share, like, rumble and give a thumbs up (or down to) this video! Your
donations are always appreciated. A portion of your donations will be
given to Christ-centered ministries and organizations doing the Lord's
work in these last days. May God richly bless you! Donate here: https://bit.ly/3RWo4mg It
would be an honor to have to have you Like, (Rumble) and Subscribe to
this channel. We pray it's an inspiration to you and fam".
Training an endurance athlete can be a deceptively hard task for any track and field coach.
The
natural instinct when it comes to training any long-distance runner is
to, well, have them run. Yet, while running is of course a crucial
component to building up a long-distance runner’s endurance,
there should be much more that goes into their training regimen because
there’s a lot more nuance to being a good distance runner.
Perhaps the most crucial part of success as a long-distance
runner is building up stamina and endurance. And the best way to build
this without overworking your runners is to establish a challenging yet
doable training pace.
Having a training pace is great for a
few reasons. It improves a runner’s vVO2 max (the rate at which your
heart can pump oxygen to your muscles), conditions a runner’s lungs,
increases their top speed when competing, and makes them better equipped
for shorter races.
While finding a runner’s ideal
training pace can be a difficult task, there are few people in the world
better suited to help you do so than Houston Franks.
Coach
Franks is currently the assistant coach for LSU track and field’s
mid-distance and distance squads, in addition to being the head coach
for the cross-country team. And LSU’s distance program has flourished in
the past four seasons under Coach Frank’s direction.
The
2023 cross-country season saw Franks and the Lady Tigers tie the
program’s highest finish of third at the NCAA South Central Regional.
This came a season after leading LSU to the program’s first third-place
finish in 2022.
Coach Franks prides himself on the training pace that all of his LSU distance runners prepare for their races at. His ‘How to Find the Proper Training Paces for Endurance Athletes’
course discloses some of his best lessons on how distance coaches at
every level can help their runners find the perfect training pace that
will not only keep them prepared in a safe, efficient manner but will
also have them perfectly equipped to execute at their best when it
becomes time to compete.
Test to Get vVO2
The first part of calculating a distance runner’s ideal training pace is figuring out what their vV02 is.
As
we mentioned previously, a runner’s vVO2 is the rate at which their
heart can pump oxygen to their muscles, and is used to find their
maximal aerobic capacity value. While this sounds complicated to
decipher, Coach Franks has a relatively simple method of doing so.
Coach Franks believes the two
most effective training times/distances for calculating an accurate
vVO2 are by doing either a two-mile time trial or a 10-minute running
test.
Not only are both of these training exercises excellent for
getting an accurate vVO2 reading. But they’re each easy to do for a
large group of people. The two-mile time trial is especially easy to do
for an entire team at once because the coach can just wait at the end of
the two-mile mark and record what each of their runner’s times are.
From there, all the coach needs to do is calculate each runner’s pace per mile. This is why the two-mile run is especially easy, because it’s just each runner’s final time divided by two.
This
is how to get each runner’s vVO2. From there, a coach will want to use
that number and incorporate it to figure out what the ideal training
pace for each runner should be, depending on which race they run.
For
a runner who wants to find their ideal training pace for a 10k race, it
should be about 92% of their vVO2. 100% of a runner’s vVO2 is a great
calculator for about a 3,000m race, while 120-136% of their vVO2 should
be used for an 800m runner.
These percentages are going to vary depending on the level you’re
coaching. If you’re a high school coach, it might not be reasonable to
expect these exact percentages. But because you’ll be using each
runner’s specific vVO2, the percentages should more or less give you an
accurate estimate of what each runner’s training pace should be.
Aerobic Threshold
Coach Franks notes that a distance runner’s
aerobic threshold (a steady-state effort that the runner could maintain
for extended periods of time, where their breathing will be light and
they will not ever get exhausted) will be at around 65% of their vVO2.
Therefore, a recovery run pace after any demanding workout should be at around 65% at the slowest, but ideally would be closer to 70%.
A longer distance run training pace (that isn’t necessarily about training for a specific competition) should be at around 75% of that aerobic threshold.
If
a coach or runner wants to recalibrate whether this is an accurate
training pace, one way they can do so is by measuring their heart rate
while at their aerobic threshold. If it’s between 130-150 bpm then the runner is in a perfect spot.
Final Thoughts
An interesting thought Coach Franks had near the
end of his course was regarding the age-old debate about whether runners
should typically be training for a set number of miles or a set
duration/time.
Coach Franks believes this is going to differ depending on the athlete, coach, and/or team. But as
long as the runner’s ultimate decision blends a balance of effort,
individualism, and honesty with themselves about where they’re at in
their training journey (whether they’re competing for a specific race or
are in the offseason), whichever method they opt for should be
sufficient for succeeding.
Yes Warriors Of
Light, we are about to elect a President in just a little over a month.
However for believers our King has been with us and continues to reign
for eternity. We need not worry or be anxious for the upcoming
election. Pray before you post, or engage in any aspect of our society.
Trust God to be with you no matter what comes your way. Watch the
miracles take place in your life. Let's Rock!
Presented on US Sports by Ticketnetwork The Hot Ticket Sat Nov 23 7:00 PM Disciple, Seventh Day Slumber & Magdalene Rose Ridglea Room - Fort Worth, TX https://tinyurl.com/HotTicketDisciple Support the show & Get the tunes that you hear on the show and swag that show that you rock for the King! @ Apple Music - https://apple.co/3R0qwH4 @ Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3S6Kcub It would be awesome for you to share, like, rumble and give a thumbs up (or down to) this video! Your
donations are always appreciated. A portion of your donations will be
given to Christ-centered ministries and organizations doing the Lord's
work in these last days. May God richly bless you! Donate here: https://bit.ly/3RWo4mg It
would be an honor to have to have you Like, (Rumble) and Subscribe to
this channel. We pray it's an inspiration to you and fam".
If the word of God
cannot be applied to our daily lives and how we interact with the world
then it is of no use to us Warriors Of Light. Thanks be to God and thanks be to the ministry of Jesus that is not the case. Let's Rock!
Presented on US Sports by Ticketnetwork The Hot Ticket Sat Nov 23 7:00 PM Disciple, Seventh Day Slumber & Magdalene Rose Ridglea Room - Fort Worth, TX https://tinyurl.com/HotTicketDisciple Support the show & Get the tunes that you hear on the show and swag that show that you rock for the King! @ Apple Music - https://apple.co/3R0qwH4 @ Amazon Music - https://amzn.to/3S6Kcub It would be awesome for you to share, like, rumble and give a thumbs up (or down to) this video! Your
donations are always appreciated. A portion of your donations will be
given to Christ-centered ministries and organizations doing the Lord's
work in these last days. May God richly bless you! Donate here: https://bit.ly/3RWo4mg It
would be an honor to have to have you Like, (Rumble) and Subscribe to
this channel. We pray it's an inspiration to you and fam".
Presented on US Sports by CoachTube Featured course: Lacrosse Basics: Offensive Techniques Part 2 by Mike Leveille https://bit.ly/3U0Uzmv In
this offensive lacrosse coaching course MLL attack Mike Leveille
continues the course work presented in his fellow teammate Liam Banks'
Offensive Techniques course. In these free lacrosse coaching videos, you
will continue learning essential offensive techniques and drills that
you can use to shape your offense into a force to be reckoned with. Learn more and book this course - https://bit.ly/3U0Uzmv
On today's show we
relive the ND's dominate performance in the NCAA championship. When
coaches and commentators talk about "never take your foot off of the
gas", this is a prime example of what that looks like. Enjoy!
Video credit: Notre Dame vs. Maryland: 2024 DI men's lacrosse championship highlights. NCAA
member school representatives should download this useful app to get
the latest agendas, materials, speakers, maps, logistics information and
more for NCAA educational events. Get all the information needed for
NCAA Regional Rules Seminars, the Student-Athlete Leadership Forums and
the NCAA Convention. https://apple.co/4eazRs1
Standing out at a basketball tryout goes beyond
just showing up. It's about having a basketball tryout plan that starts
well before the day arrives. From improving your drills to mastering the fundamentals of basketball (such as scoring and defense
techniques) preparation is key to showcasing your skills. This planning
not only involves honing your physical ability but also mastering
basketball’s mental aspect to elevate your tryout performance.
Committing
to a basketball tryout plan means diving deep into drills that sharpen
your shooting form, dribbling finesse, and overall evaluation rubric for
a standout tryout. A positive attitude towards teamwork and
sportsmanship also plays a crucial role in standing out and becoming a
valued player.
So let’s get into how you can stand out at a basketball tryout!
Preparing Physically and Mentally
Your
basketball tryout plan should require both physical and mental
preparation. Here's how you can ensure you're ready to shine on the
court:
Physical Preparation:
Conditioning: Begin with cardiovascular training to boost your strength and conditioning. It’s tough to perform well when you’re constantly winded.
Skill Development:
Dedicate time to shooting every day and practicing dribbling drills. At
the end of this article, we’ll provide you with a great shooting drill
that is sure to improve your long-range skills.
Mental Preparation:
Visualization and Mindfulness:
Engage in visualization techniques to strengthen your mental game.
Imagine yourself succeeding in your basketball tryout, and making your
preferred team. This helps manage anxiety and improves focus.
Positive Self-talk:
Regularly practice positive self-talk and read positive affirmations.
This builds confidence, which is essential for facing the pressures of
tryouts.
Nutrition and Rest:
Healthy Eating: Consume foods that provide quick energy, like oatmeal and bananas. Drink a lot of water as well!
Adequate Sleep: Get at least eight hours of sleep before your tryout, to ensure optimal energy and alertness.
By doing all of these things, you’re setting yourself up for success before stepping on the tryout court.
Mastering the Fundamentals
Remember:
it's not just about having the ball in your hands. It's about making
every touch count. Here's how you can elevate your fundamentals:
Ball Control Techniques:
o Focus on dribbling with both hands, so you can navigate the court under pressure.
o Incorporate passing drills that mimic game scenarios.
o Set daily shooting goals, aiming for consistency from various spots on the court.
Strategic Play and Coachability:
Engage in game-speed scenarios to understand the flow and transitions of a real match.
Show your willingness to learn by focusing on coach feedback.
Compete against stronger opponents to challenge and improve your skills.
By
using these strategies for your basketball tryout plan, you're not just
preparing—you're improving. It's the details that coaches notice, so
demonstrate your understanding of the game, and your ability to execute
their feedback, and display your desire to improve every day.
Showing Coachable Behavior and a Positive Attitude
In
the heart of every standout basketball player is an enthusiasm to learn
and adapt. This is what being coachable is all about—but this trait
isn't just about nodding along to what the coach says. It's about
actively engaging with feedback to elevate your game. Here's how you can
showcase this invaluable attribute:
Active Listening and Engagement:
Maintain eye contact and nod to show you're absorbing your coach’s every word.
Ask questions if you're unsure, showing you want to get it right.
Apply the feedback immediately in drills or scrimmages.
Positive Attitude and Body Language:
Keep a positive attitude, even when drills don’t go your way. A smile can go a long way.
Avoid negative body language, like slouching or eye-rolling. Coaches notice these small details.
Celebrate teammates' successes openly. High-fives and encouraging words contribute to a positive team atmosphere.
Examples of Coachability in Action:
Arrive 15 minutes early to tryouts and start warming up right away.
Be the player who dives for loose balls, communicates on the court, and always looks to improve.
Lead by example in both practice and game situations.
Embracing
these aspects of coachability not only makes you a better player but
also a more attractive prospect to coaches who are looking for team
players who add to the team dynamic.
Communicating and Being a Team Player
In basketball, communication and being a team player are pivotal. Here's how you can elevate your presence on the court:
Effective Communication Techniques:
Be Loud and Clear: Ensure your voice can be heard across the court. Use specific terms for actions to avoid confusion.
Timing is Key: Communicate early enough so that teammates can react.
Stay Positive: Focus on constructive feedback rather than blame. Encourage and uplift your teammates.
Non-Verbal Cues:
Eye Contact and Hand Signals: Use these when the gym gets noisy. They're quick, effective ways to communicate.
Team Bonding: Engage in activities that build rapport. Building friendships makes for a better team–and better tryout performance.
You
don’t need any basketball skills to utilize your voice. Coaches need
leaders, and this is your way to showcase that you’re an asset for
fostering unity and driving your team toward success.
Conclusion
Basketball
tryouts can be stressful. But by preparing both physically and
mentally, mastering fundamentals, and showcasing coachable behavior and
communication, athletes can significantly enhance their visibility and
impact during tryouts. These strategies will guide you toward a standout
performance that captures the attention of coaches and teammates alike.
And
last (but certainly not least), don’t forget to have fun! That’s why
you’re playing basketball in the first place. Think of the tryout as
another fun opportunity to play with your friends and show off the
skills you’ve worked hard to acquire.
Now go out there and show the world what you’ve got!
Steph Curry Shooting Series
If you’re looking for a drill to improve your
shooting ability before your basketball tryout, give this Steph Curry
shooting series (from breakthroughbasketball.com's Joe Haefner)
a try. Steph Curry actually practices this drill series on a regular
basis! And if it works for the greatest shooter of all time, it will
surely work for you, too.
All you’ll need is a hoop, a
ball, and a teammate, coach, or parent to work with you. Here’s how the
Steph Curry Shooting Series works:
1.Spot Up / Quick Release
The first shot starts from the wing or the corner.
You simply catch the ball, step towards the basket, and shoot it as quickly as possible.
2.Shoot Off The Dribble
This is the same as the first shot, except you add a long, explosive dribble to the basket then shoot.
3.Cut To Ball - Corner To Wing Cut
Next,
you work on shooting off a cut from the corner to the wing. In a game
situation, this could be a straight cut or a curl cut off a screen.
4.Flare or Fade Cut - Wing to Corner Cut
This
is another game-like shot where you execute a flare or fade cut. This
can be done off dribble penetration, a down screen, or a flare screen.
5.Fast Break Shooting
The final shot reflects a shot you will get off of the fast break.
Perhaps
start this drill series shooting the same shot 10 times in a row, then
move to the next drill. Then, once you’ve completed those 50 shots, go
back and add 3-5 more shots in each drill, at a different position on
the floor. You’ll rarely shoot the same shot twice in a row in a game,
after all.
That’s all there is to it! If you try this set of
drills every day for a week, you are sure to impress your coaches during
any basketball tryout.
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