MORE TIME ON THE FLOOR… HOW TO EARN MORE MINUTES

So you want to play more? Basketball is a tough game because it has the least amount of players on the floor and the least amount of minutes. Thirty-two minutes. And everyone on the team would like to play all of them. Here’s how to earn more of that playing time.

1. Make every minute count. You do this by being a factor in the game. Be someone your team needs on the court. What do you contribute? Hustle, steals, rebounds, offensive plays, shooting? You lose minutes when you become invisible. When the coach thinks all you are doing is running up and down the court. Come out of hiding and make a difference.

2. Make your “bunnies” (A bunny is a short shot like a lay-up). Everyone hates to see someone make a great steal, drive the length of the court only to miss the lay-up and have it go the other way. Nothing deflates a team like missing the short shot that should go in.

Why You Miss Your "Bunnies":
On a breakaway, your adrenaline gets pumped up either from the steal, from the nerves of someone chasing you, or the pressure of the spotlight. When this happens, go as hard as you can and then before your shot slow down. If you are concerned about the defensive trailer, do a power lay-up and draw the foul. Get your eyes up to the sweet spot on the back board. Relax and think swish. (Next month, how to make your bunnies in traffic)

3. Eliminate Turnovers. It’s tough when you play for a program that yanks for mistakes. Inevitably, this creates nerves because you don't want to make a mistake but the nerves cause you to make more. Remove your nerves by becoming more mentally tough. Imagine your mind is like the Pentagon. You need to have security guards that check everyone going in and out. Mental toughness is testing every thought that tries to spend time in your mind. If it is a good thought, if it makes you a better player, let it in. If it takes away your confidence, kick it out.

Turnover Tendencies: Be aware of your habits and change

A. Traveling turnovers: if you travel especially when you catch the ball and go to make an offensive move, spend 15 minutes a day working on tossing the ball to yourself, catching in two foot stop and then making a one-series move you learned at camp.

B. Passing: You might have turnovers from passing due to your skill level (you struggle with passing behind the player, you’re not strong enough, etc) or your teammates’ skill level (they don’t hold a target hand, they don’t move to the pass.. etc..) Either way, help yourself in this turnover category by:

*Never passing parallel to the baseline unless you are on the baseline passing into the post.
*Put backspin on the ball to make it softer to catch
*A bounce pass is easier for players to catch, and tougher to defend.

C. Getting stripped: Never put the ball in the candy store (middle of your body). Use your elbows and body to shield the ball. Have a guard arm up and solid when in traffic. Don’t get back on your heels.

D. Dribbling: If you are struggling with dribbling, practice 15 minutes every day. Use your left hand. If you dribble off your toe, it is typically because you have your lead foot forward, work to be in a more protective stance and step with the opposite foot forward in a crossover. Secure the ball first and never dribble in traffic if possible.

4. Be a Defensive Stopper. Be committed to not letting your man or the people in your zone (if playing zone) score. Make a goal with yourself. Interrupt their game. Don’t let them do what they want, like dribbling with the hand they want, going to the spot they want, catching where they want, or shooting how they want. Get in their space, and get them out of their flow.

5. Have Fun. When you see your minutes start slipping away, don’t become bitter. Don’t act like everything is hunky-dory as well. You can be respectful and still express to the coach you want to play. Come across with passion, not pout. People who are working hard, being intense, having fun and enjoying the game play better than the bitter, angry ones.

We know sitting the bench is very difficult. You may need to meet with your coach and ask him/her to outline clearly what he/she believes would allow you to see more playing time. Sometimes, no matter what you do, the minutes are what they are and your role is not going to change. When that is the case, you and your parents should get an objective mentor and several perspectives to help you navigate your future.