I would like some advice. I'm 16. I've been playing basketball for 6 years now. I have only played 1 game. I practice pretty much every day on shooting, defense and also go workout. But I cruelly lack game experience. I guess because I wasn't able to play at the very start that might be one reason why I start stressing so much on the court just in team practice. I feel as if the time I spend practicing on my own does not help, I can't see any improvement when I play with the team. I\'m not giving up, but what should I do to solve the problem?

Looking forward to your response.
Gabriel.

Gabe,

The first thing you need to do is to get yourself some game experience... I don't care if its at the park or wherever. You need to compete against other kids.

Keep on practicing, that will only make you better - if you could find a personal trainer to help you that would be good also.

You are to be commended for staying at this so long without playing in the games... so you have the drive and determination... keep up the good work there. AND make sure that you are having fun, thats what its all about.. FUN!

Good Luck,
Ken

Thanks for the reply Ken

As for the game experience and park playing, it might be harder than expected because I live in Switzerland, and the village where I live we're probably 2 that play basketball, but I'll try. I was thinking of going in less good team I know so that I can play more and acquire game experience. Do you have any tips to boost your confidence. Also I always seem to screw the systems we do, I just don't know how to excute them well, due to stress I guess even though I learn them...
As for the fun your talking about I still have it but not as much as if was able to do whatever I wanted and that I practised and apply it on the court. But my love for the game is still there...

All the best

Gabe

Gabe,

Take it easy on yourself... make sure you are having fun while you practicing and playing the game. Pay close attention in practice, maybe even write some stuff down after practice, diagram what you are supposed to do, the entire play or offense... so you know it backwards and forwards.
It sounds like you are too worried about making mistakes... sports are made of mistakes... baseball players make millons hitting .250 or .300, that means they are failing 70% of the time or more.
I wish that when I played sports that I could have done whatever I wanted to do... it doesn't work that way.... not even pros... unless you are a Michael Jordon type... and he missed shots too.
You are a young guy, keep practicing and you will get better.... Good luck,
Ken

"Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy."

Amy Alcott

I might add playing poorly from time to time.

Gabriel,

First and foremost, my advice would be to listen to Coach Ken. I've noticed that all his posts have been motivating and almost inspirational to young players like yourself.

Never stop trying to be the best that you can be!!!


Now.......a question


Who said this quote?

"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. I've committed over 2,500 turnovers. I've missed 1,500 free throws. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life.
And that is why I succeed."












-Michael Jordan

I have this quote up on a wall at work. I print this out and give to all the youth teams that I have coached.


Accept your flaws, recognize them and work hard to improve them. Practice everyday and really work hard.

I know it's tough to find pick-up games in your village in Switzerland but you gotta try to get experience playing team ball....even if you have to cross The Alps and take on the entire Von Trapp family.....jk.

Good Luck Gabriel!!

Merry Christmas!!

Coach A

Thanks for the kudos Coach A - I enjoy reading your posts along with a lot of the other responders here... gives me a whole new outlook on some things.

Ken

Hi Coach A and Ken

Don't worry, I'm no where near giving up, I've decided to leave the team I've been with since I've started basketball and go to a less good one. For a few reason ;lcoach always yelling( one reason why i get stressed so much), but mostly because of the game experience that I need.
If I can just get that, I know I could be great, well I hope so. As you said about the flaws, I wrote the good and the bad stuff in my game. I'm working at making them better.

Thanks for you advice and I hope more is still comming.

Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas.

Gabe

Gabe,

Good luck, I hope things work out for you..... afte this year, re-evaluate what direction you will be taking regarding Bball.... Write down your goals and then go to work on accomplsihing them.

Don't get stressed, remember, its still a game and its supposed to be FUN.

Ken