I am on my school's freshman team. I think I am only half decent. I am not a starter and I am usually like the 7th or 8th man off the bench ( so far, we have only had 2 games, both today). But I work so hard but I never seem to be comfortable with who I'm playing with and against. I feel like I can but it is just very strange. I have never had a a game with over 10 points. I have played on a few teams since 6th grade, and I haven't been a clueless fool on the court, but I haven't achived my expectations. I play the 2 and the 3 and shooting is my specialty, but sometimes I can shoot horrible in a game if I rush it, although I consider myself one of the better shooters on the team. But I don't want to be a "shooter". I want to be a BIG TIME SCORER. I work really hard but it doesn't seem to pay off yet. Although now I realize how to practice smart, like I hadn't before. I am looking to make a COMPLETE transformation into a much better player that can shoot, drive, and have great handles. I have the resources, but is it possible to make this transformation? I am on the bench on the freshman team, but next season I want to be a starter on JV. If I don't make the JV team next year, I will probably give up, but I love basketball and I will work very hard to not have that happen. I will start working hard after the season end in February. Also, I heard that Cuttino Mobley wasn't a starter on his freshman team either, and that gives me some hope and inspiration

AND Don't forget the Michael Jordon got cut.... so don't count yourself out yet, you are still a young kid. I had kids that didn't even play on our Freshman B boys team and by the time they got to the Varsity they were the real deal... some made all conference and were great shooters.

Coming off the bench takes a special player.. you have to keep yourself focused at all times... watch the other team and their players... see what they are doing. Look for weaknesses that you can exploit when you get out there.

As for me and the kids I had come off my bench - I wanted them to play GREAT defense... make few if NO turnovers on offense.. IF they scored... that was a bonus. Don't expect to be a GREAT scorer coming off the bench because it takes some time to get into the flow of the game. Let the shots come to YOU ... don't force anything up, that will only make you look bad.

My suggestion to you is to become the HARDEST working player on that team.... your goal right now should be to be playing as the 8th man... after that... a starter..... but one step at a time. Do all the little things that coaches notice... get every loose ball, take charges, rebound, set good screens, play SHUT DOWN DEFENSE.... and knock down that shot when it comes to you.

AND, for gosh sakes... RELAX and have some fun..... IF you are all tensed up you will never be a good player let alone a great one.

Lets take a few of these things one step at a time... "I think I am only half decent." IF you think you are only HALF decent, why should the coach or anyone else think otherwise?

" ( so far, we have only had 2 games, both today)." HELLO.... you just started the season... give it and yourself a chance!

"I work so hard but I never seem to be comfortable with who I'm playing with and against." This will come with time... you need to play more with these guys - just play hard and do some of those things I said before.

" but I haven't achived my expectations. I play the 2 and the 3 and shooting is my specialty, but sometimes I can shoot horrible in a game if I rush it." Maybe your expectations are a little high right now? You want 20 coming off the bench? Doesn't happen very often. AND, you might be rushing it because YOU ARE looking for the shot rather than letting the shot find you?

Those are a few things to work on now... and again, relax.. no one plays well or shoots well if they are all tensed up.

Lets look at this now...

"I want to be a BIG TIME SCORER. I work really hard but it doesn't seem to pay off yet. Although now I realize how to practice smart, like I hadn't before. I am looking to make a COMPLETE transformation into a much better player that can shoot, drive, and have great handles. I have the resources, but is it possible to make this transformation?"

Anything is possible IF YOU are willing to put the time in to make yourself much better. It will take hours of practice... but it can be done. Like I said before, the rest of this season... be the hardest worker on the floor... all the time.

When the season is over... make yourself some goals and a plan to achieve them.. but working on your ball handling... your shooting, your dribbling and passing... every facet of the game.

NOW, be patient... go out and play hard, play smart and have some FUN. Its a game remember!!! :-)

Please don't drive yourself crazy over something that is supposed to be fun and that you enjoy.Good luck

Thanks a lot Coach Sar. You really give good advice. I will focus on the things you said

Good luck !!!! I hope things go well for you. :-)

Mikko: I cannot add any more to what Coach Sars has already advised you. His advice is bang on. I loved the way he broke down all your comments just like a great point guard breaking down the defense. Great stuff coach. Coach Mac

Thanks Coach Mac,

I always like reading your posts also.... we have several good coaches on board here and it seems like the first one answering the questions/posts is the guy that has the right insights... the rest of us can only and a little bit here and there.... then there are times we come from a completely different point of view... ALL GOOD STUFF.

soooo, I just wanted to give an update. The freshman season ended, and I didn't get too much playing time. Decent playing time, at best. My ppg average was like 1.3 ppg, but I played good in some games, even though I didn't score. I made good decisions, good passes, I had almost NO TURNOVERS! My jump shot was shaky at times though. I have a good jump shot but I get nervous sometimes and airball the shot. I thought that I was a little productive when I got in. That was last weekend. Fast forward to today, I had AAU 15u basketall tryouts. I thought I did horrible today. I was so negative in my head and I wasn't expecting to make it. The coach was only taking 10 out of the 16 players that tryed out. I did bad on the drills. but then in the scrimmage, I made 2 shots and did OK, but I thought that someone was going to make it over me. Then he told us to take a seat, and he called off names. One by one, he called all the athletic, fast,strong players, and I started counting in my head, "8 spots left, 7 spots left, etc.". The crazy thing is that when I realized he called off 9 people, I knew there was 1 spot left, and then he called my name! My jaw-dropped for the next 30 seconds, and then I had a huge smile on my face. sooo, I made the AAU team. I was so shocked, and now I am really glad. just wanted to express that. After everyone left, coach told me that I was borderline, and that I needed to work my butt off. He said I needed to get stronger, faster, better defense, and a more consistent shot, and be a better scorer. So thats about it

First of all.... don't you dare give up! Lets look at what you said:

[b]"soooo, I just wanted to give an update. The freshman season ended, and I didn't get too much playing time. Decent playing time, at best. My ppg average was like 1.3 ppg, but I played good in some games, even though I didn't score. I made good decisions, good passes,

Making good decisions and passes as a role player.. pretty much what this coach is looking for....the new coach wants more from you .... listen to the things he said and work on them.

I had almost NO TURNOVERS! My jump shot was shaky at times though. I have a good jump shot but I get nervous sometimes and airball the shot. I thought that I was a little productive when I got in. That was last weekend.

Part of your problem seems to be that you feel that you should never miss.... it doesn't work that way. Even the best miss and at times have terrible games....the difference between them and you is that they feel, no they know that they are going to make the next shot. Have some confidence in yourself. Thats where it starts.