Basketball season is coming! Here are some keys college coaches recommend to get you prepared to walk on the court ready to show your best.

1. Be in great shape. A good way to get back into top condition if you are not is to jog at a brisk pace for 4 minutes then sprint as hard as you can as if a man-eating tiger where trying to catch you. Sprint hard for one minute, then resume to your brisk paced run for 4 minutes. Do this a total of 4 times (4 minutes of brisk running with 1 minute all out sprinting). Each week, add 15 seconds to the all out sprint.

2. Practice passing-- Find a wall at your house and work at least 15 minutes each day on this crucial skill. Pick a spot on the wall and hit that spot 20 times with each type of pass (overhead, chest, bounce) Try with two balls going at a time and see how accurate you can be. Practice cross-overs and behind the back as well.

3. Shooting. Get a ball and lie on your back. Practice perfect form shooting with one hand. Close your eyes and practice visualizing making your shots. Design a 15 minute workout focusing on different key spots on the court. Practice catching the ball and shooting after a pass, making the shot after a drive. Have a goal of how many you can make in a row. Also set up a consequence if you miss -- such as a down and back sprint or a few push ups.

4. Play lots and lots of one-on-one. Coaches want players who can attack the basket within the offense. When you play one-on-one, make it as real to a game situation as possible. In games, typically you can't use the entire floor to beat your man, you only get one side of the basket-- so do this when you are practicing. Make a boundary rules, limit your dribbles, remember to rebound so that you train your body for muscle memory.

5. Post your goals on your mirror and/or in your locker.


Have questions on how to prepare for the season? Email us
nbc@nbccamps.com