10 Basketball Tips Guaranteed To Get You More Playing Time

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  1. Ask the coach what you can do to help the team.

    This is probably one of the most important things you can do, because it shows you are committed to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. If you put the team in front of your personal goals, you will be a player that all coaches and teammates love to have.

    At the end of the season, remember to ask the coach what you need to work on during the off-season to contribute to the team the following year.
    1. Play to your strengths.

      Not everybody can be the scorer, so do what you're good at. If you try to do things that you are not good at it, you'll find yourself on the bench. If you're great at rebounding and playing defense, do those things when you're on the court. Do what you can do, not what you can't do. Strengthen your strengths and work on your weaknesses in practice.

      Players have made millions of dollars playing according to this philosophy. Can you say Ben Wallace or Kyle Korver?
           
    Picture by SD Dirk
    1. Always hustle and work hard.

      Besides helping you improve, a coach will notice this and pick you above somebody else who may not work as hard. Don't be afraid to get your butt on the ground and dive after some loose balls.


    2. Take charges.

      When you take a charge, it provides a defensive stop, gets your team the ball, and puts an additional foul on the opposing team. Not to mention, it can affect the other team psychologically because they will be hesitant to drive the ball in fear of picking up another foul.


    3. Play tough defense.

      If you can shut down opposing players, it doesn't matter if you can shoot or dribble. A coach will often find a reason to get you on the court.


    4. Always box out.

      Nothing will get you to the bench quicker than not boxing out. Coaches understand the importance of rebounding. If you do it well, you'll rapidly increase your chances of playing.


    5. Take good shots.

      A good shot is an open shot that you can make a high-percentage of and nobody else on your team has a better scoring opportunity. If you take bad shots, you'll be on the bench.


    6. Make the extra pass.

      Coaches love it when you make the extra pass. You will also find yourself getting more passes from your teammates, because they recognize and appreciate your unselfishness. Basketball is so much fun when played unselfishly. You also win a lot more games, too.

      Don't be too unselfish. If you have a good shot, you can take it.


    1. Sprint to the front of the huddle.

      Any time you get in a huddle, always sprint to the front and make eye contact with the coach while he is talking. The coach will notice this and know that you care.


    2. Be a great teammate.

      If your teammates like you, they will be more likely to play better with you. A coach may notice the chemistry and get you in the game. Why do you think teammates of Kevin Garnett play better?

           
    Picture by Paul Keleher


    Related Resources and Articles

    Basketball Training Workout App - Developed By NBA Skills Trainer

    Breakthrough Basketball Skill Development Camps

    Importance of Communication With Your Coach

    12 Surefire Basketball Tips for the Off Season - What Should Players Do Between Seasons?

    Basketball Tips: How to Get a Basketball Scholarship




    Comments

    Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First

    Marcus says:
    6/10/2022 at 2:25:30 PM

    Great article thanks for sharing I also wrote a article about how to become best player on the court on prime basketball it will definitely boost your game.

    Like
      1 reply  

    Barb says:
    6/10/2022 at 3:23:48 PM

    Marcus,
    Great to hear. Thanks for your feedback.
    Breakthrough Basketball

    Like
       


    Remy says:
    10/14/2021 at 7:25:46 AM

    Hello,

    In amateur basketbal while every player needs to pay to play, in my oppinion everybody should get the same minutes and chances on the court unregardless of age or skill. Everybody needs to learn in a real game its so much different then practice. If you only get 6 minutes top you will probably play too fast and not on your true potentional because you have in your back of your mind that you could be going to the bench Any moment. So i think that amateur coaches should focus more on equaly treating their players. Ps: (ofcourse it depends on how reliable you are and how much effort you put in for example in practice)
    Maybe im wrong in some peoples eyes but this is my oppinion.

    Like
       

    Levi Armstrong says:
    8/3/2021 at 12:13:48 AM

    I agree that if your teammates like you, they will be more likely to play better with you. A coach may notice the chemistry and get you in the game. I love basketball, and I truly believe that sports can instill children with principles that'll lead them to success. I'll share this with my husband since we plan on building different baseball courts around the city for the kids to play at. Thanks!

    Like
       

    Mimi says:
    2/28/2019 at 1:55:05 PM

    Hello, imthe parent of a 6th grade boy that is part of a team that consists of both jv and varsity players (its a small school) but the coach has them signed up for 2 separate leagues. One is directly geared for the jv players(Wentworth)and the other for the varsity(Hale).
    My boy is just starting out but has made progress even though his coach has only put him in a handful of games in both leagues for a couple min tops. This is not my issue at all. I understand you want your better players on the court.
    They had their playoff game for the JV Wentworth league and 35 seconds til the end of the game he decided to put all 4 of the 6th grade boys in the game. That was their only play time during the playoff in a league that was supposed to be theirs. They had been 14 points down for the last 4 minutes with no points being scored on our end.
    I'm upset. I feel like it was insulting to the kids to even put them in with second to go. Am I being irrational? I just needed to know of this was an acceptable thing to do in jr. High basketball.

    Like
      1 reply  

    Coach JJ says:
    3/27/2021 at 9:42:45 PM

    Mam, it depends, affective your player is around the people he is playing with. Some players have to understand there role in the environment around them. Such as a big needs to grab more boards and less risk at the three, and a point should be giving his team scoring opertuties then driving. I hoped this helped to find your player in the game more often

    Like
       


    Move Sports says:
    12/14/2018 at 5:08:31 AM

    nice article shared for new players....keep sharing information like that. Also checkout for MoveSports.com the best sports events organiser in Portugal and Spain

    Like
       

    Patton says:
    11/6/2018 at 12:11:55 PM

    I have a game today so what should I do in the game to show my coaches I'm a starter or 6th man?

    Like
       

    Patton says:
    11/6/2018 at 10:45:32 AM

    I recently played a game and played only six minutes and I''''m one of the top 6 best players in my team. How is this happening?

    Like
      1 reply  

    Joe Haefner says:
    11/6/2018 at 11:15:16 AM

    I would ask your coach. It could be anything. Are you giving 100% effort on defense? Are you sharing the ball? Are you displaying a great attitude? Are you giving great effort in practice?

    And some coaches might think you're simply not good enough. So take that as fuel to motivate yourself, so that you work so hard on your skill level that you become so good that they have no choice but to play you. Leave no chance!

    Like
       


    Janiya says:
    8/23/2018 at 5:29:10 PM

    Hello. I'm fourteen, and an upcoming freshman. I have only played basketball for one season with Upward, and it was my first time playing. I was never a good offensive player, I only made 1 shot in the entire season I played. With that being said though, I also averaged about 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and forced like 7 turnovers per game. So that right there tells you that I'm a great defensive player. I'm 5 foot 1, so It would seem that I play PG, but I actually played center and power forward.

    I also want to add that the last season was December of last year, and since then I have worked immensely on my shooting form and some handles. I still need a TON of work on my handles though.

    Do you think I could make the girls varsity team at my highschool? You know with me being a freshman?

    Like
       

    Logan says:
    2/4/2018 at 7:42:23 PM

    I am a 6th grader and I do all of these things but I don't get playing time.

    Like
       

    Lewis says:
    12/5/2017 at 12:03:48 AM

    Um, I am in 9th grade and I made varsity basketball. Our season just started but my coach has yet to give me a chance on the court. What should I do?

    Like
      1 reply  

    Jeff says:
    12/7/2017 at 8:20:16 AM

    Keep working hard, listening to coach, and helping your teammates in practice. And do the things in the article above. If you want you can talk to the coach and ask what you can work on to get more playing time and help the team.

    Like
      1 reply  

    Lewis says:
    12/31/2017 at 9:30:25 PM

    Thanks for the advice I have played a lot more and became the "sixth man"

    Like
      1 reply  

    Coach JJ says:
    3/27/2021 at 9:48:29 PM

    Woah woah woah. Lewis just tell me your arsenal,(such as hight) and what you dream of doing in the future as a starter

    Like
       




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