A fundamental truth has remained the same for many years and is very evident today. There is only one way to become a good basketball player. Hard work! This truth has been proven over and over again over the past century and remains a proven model for basketball players.
Young people are besieged by products, gadgets and advertising that proclaim the secrets of success. Our society as a whole would rather use the car window to pick up dinner than get out of the car. Our world tries to take every task and make it easier. There are certainly benefits of microwave ovens and more efficient cars. The problem lies in an athlete’s approach to athletic success as they grow up in this world of fast food.
I am often amused by commercials for jumping shoes or machines. These ads claim incredible results and a rapid increase in vertical jump. I have no doubt that these products and claims are legitimate and sound. What strikes me is that jumping is one of the many skills that a player must have to excel or simply to reach his potential. Out of these dozens of skills, I would rate explosive jump ability at the bottom of the list.
The following list will explain why players waste their time pursuing the goal of being a great jumper..
1. Joey Johnson is a household name in basketball, isn’t he? No, of course he is not. In fact, I doubt you’ve ever heard of him. I saw a video of Joey in high school and he is probably the best jumper in high school and college basketball history. His problem was that jumpers defined his game and led to average skills, knowledge and shooting on the ball. Show me a player who describes himself as a great jumper and I bet he’s missing the rest of his game.
2. In my 18 year college coaching career I recruited hundreds of players. None of them were recruited for their jumping ability. Unfortunately, I saw a lot of players who could jump but couldn’t play and never made it to the college basketball arena.
3. Steve Nash has been the NBA MVP for the past two seasons because he knows how to play and has an incredible desire for the game. You won’t see him on the list of great jumpers any time soon.
4. According to game fans, jumping ability will improve rebounding and shot blocking ability. This is a fallacy. Great rebounders will tell you that position, balance, and lower body strength are the keys to getting the ball around the basket. Charles Barkley proved it for years at Auburn and in the NBA. The art of blocking shots is one of the most overrated skills a player can have because most blocked shots end up out of bounds.
5. Becoming a good player is still about passing, dribbling and shooting. If this is the case, why is today’s player working so hard to dunk the basketball?
The most worrying thing about young players is their inability to grasp the true elements of the game that require daily attention. If a young man wants to increase his jumping ability, I totally agree. Too often, however, it comes at the expense of working on the fundamentals of the game. Good players have balanced and dominated the pivot. They can handle the ball in any game situation without turnovers. They do not leave the ground to pass and make sure that the passes arrive safely at their destination. The shot is worked on hundreds of daily shots at a time. The good player is a devoted viewer of videotapes to critically analyze their own game and how it can be improved. Footwork is an anchor for all good players and needs to be worked on daily. Reading screens, penetrating, sealing the rebound, cutting and communicating are the pillars of the game.
Players get good because they have a game plan and they put that plan into action. Hard work is the only thing that stands between any player and the end result. Nowadays, being a good high school player doesn’t guarantee a college scholarship. Hundreds of excellent, hard-working players are passed over each year for the chance to play in college. If your goal is to become the best high school player you can be, go for it. If college basketball is your dream, set a goal and stick with it until you reach it. Work only on the skills that will really make you better. Avoid the quick fix method for basketball success. The temptation is there for those who are not willing to work for their goals and dreams. Stay true to yourself and work on your dream every day.