Try-out Season has begun

Basketball Tips - Tryouts, how to make the team...

I'm the coach and you are a player trying to make my team. So how do you impress me with your skills, and what is it that I am looking for in try-outs?

The things I look for are solid fundamentals... don't be flashy. I like kids who play tough defense, hustle after loose balls, play aggressively (but not dirty). I love kids who box out and rebound. I like kids who are good passers, and avoid turnovers. I like team players. Don't try to impress me by dribbling between your legs.

Be the first one arriving for practice and the last one to leave. Show me work ethic. Hustle hard during drills. Show respect for the coaches and the other players. Ask the coaches to help you with your weaknesses. We all like to practice the things we are already good at. You get better by working on your weaknesses.

Are you a tall inside player? If so, impress me with your rebounding, defense, and some post up moves. Example: a drop-step baseline move

If you are a guard, show me you can handle the ball and keep under control. If you can shoot the "3", fire some up during shoot-arounds. I like a perimeter player who can shoot the outside shot, but can also drive to the hoop, can see the whole floor and pass, and can handle the ball well. Show me your outside moves.

Be physically "in-shape" (conditioning) when you arrive at try-outs.

During tryouts, don't be intimidated by better players, or players who made the team last year. There will always be a few players at try-outs who are better players and who you know will make the team. But you too can be an important part of the team to as a "role player" .

Remember that hard work, hustle and a good attitude will impress the coach, even if your shooting is off that week.

Basketball Camps

Off-season training

Things to look for in a basketball camp

1) Ratio of instructors to players

2) Number of participants, is there a limited number or can anyone and everyone attend

3) Dedication to skills vs scrimmages , look for higher skills focus

4) Gender mix, girls tend to be shy when playing with boys and boys tend to ignore girls no matter how good the girls are

5) Instructor gender , girls learn best from girls and vice versa

6) Is it all basketball or is there other activities, that is a personal opinion but it is your money

7) Qualifications of instructors

8) Compensation of instructors, you tend to work harder when you get paid instead of volunteer hours

9) Does camp provide regular feedback to players

10) Is the player going because they want to or because they are forced to.

One step Further

Basketball moves derived from the lay-up


Finger Roll: The most widely used lay-up method in basketball nowadays

Three Pointers: The threes seem to be a blessing when it comes to outscoring the opposition, but...

Reverse lay-up: two defenders jumps at you on the near side, go to the other side

Tear Drop: Oh yeah, make the hoop cry and make your defenders cry

Up-and-Under: The move spells out, "I refuse to commit myself."

The Layup

Tips on perfecting a basketball lay-up

Doing a basketball lay-up slowly with no defenders is very easy but not so when you are guarded. Here are the tips for scoring in a lay-up under pressure :

1.Take BIG strides when you are carrying the ball for a lay up

2.Glance at the hoop while you are carrying the ball towards the basketball hoop

3.If you are driving full speed, convert the horizontal momentum to vertical by jumping higher before release

4.Sometimes, changing your pace when taking the steps or power-hopping works well

5.Place the upper arm of your non-dominant hand on the side to resist defender's pressure

6.When you are about to get up in the air, turn your hip and upper back towards the defender to push yourself away

7.Add a slight spin onto the ball to further reduce the horizontal force it carries

More Shooting

More Shooting Tips

1. Half-bent your knees before shooting a basketball for more potential power
2. Your dominant hand should have its fingers spread out
3. Only the fingertips should be gripping onto the ball
4. Your other hand should support the ball on the side
5. The ball should be brought above the head in one motion
6. At this point, the angles at your armpit, elbow, and wrist is at 90 degrees
7. While extending your knees, extend your forearm and snap your wrist
8. Make sure you follow through with your wrist movement. If it feels natural to jump upon release, do so

" You will always miss 100% of the shots you do not take. "

More words from Coach Wooden

Words from a Great Mind

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be."
"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment."
"I'd rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent."
"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"
"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes."
"It isn't what you do, but how you do it."
"Ability is a poor man's wealth."

Fundamentals of Shooting

Basketball Shooting Tip #1: FUNDAMENTALS


1. For shooting the basketball you must have your entire body in the right position to ensure that you have the greatest chance of making the shot. First you should have your strong arm up and Bent at a 90 degree angle.

2. Also have your weak arm up along side it as a helper hand. This is a basketball tip OFTEN overlooked.

3. Then flick your wrist and push your arm up to propel the ball towards the net. The first step for you is to learn these fundamental basketball shooting tips, and then you can move on to the next section below...