Youth Basketball Success Secrets - No 2

There are basketball success secrets that are being used daily by today's greatest players. The good news is young players can incorporate many of these secrets into their game with a little effort. In this article I'll reveal one that you and your child can observe for yourselves by simply watching a game together.

Communication

The best basketball players are masters in the art of communicating on the court. It is what allows them to control every aspect of each possession, and helps them place themselves in the best position for success. There are three types of communication you'll need to perfect before you can get your basketball 'Masters of Communication'.

Verbal

Isn't it amazing how kids can't seem to stop talking until you need them to? Every coach knows talking is an essential part of becoming a good defensive basketball team. Team defense is all about providing support for your teammates, and making them aware of where you are in relationship to the player with the ball. This helps them defend better and smarter. In addition, telling your teammate that you are in position to provide help may also keep your opponents off balance in their offensive execution by letting them know that you are in position and ready to help should they try running a play in your direction.

But talking is also where the best offensive players shine, from shouting out instructions to teammates that are in the wrong position, letting a rebounder know where they are so they can receive the outlet pass to start a fastbreak, letting the ball handler know they're open and ready to shoot, asking for or letting a teammate know a screen is needed or available to use, offering acknowledgment for a great pass, or simply offering words of encouragement to teammates, great players know that by talking their teammates know that they are ready and aware of everything going on out on the court, which will usually result in their teammates looking to get them the ball at some point in each offensive possession.

Non-Verbal

Watch a great offensive player and you'll notice that when they are ready to receive a pass they will show the player with the ball exactly where they want the ball thrown to them by raising the hand in which they want to receive the ball. You'll also notice they won't get themselves in position to receive the ball until the player with the ball is in position to pass it to them. This is why some lesser players get frustrated and complain they never get the ball even though they work real hard to get open. They don't understand it's the timing of when you get open, not the fact that you are open that will determine if you get the ball.

Great players understand this, which is why they always seem to have the ball in their hands, which is why they score so many points.

Subtle

This is where great players stand apart from their fellow players; they understand the art of the subtle non-verbal form of communication. The raised eyebrow, the slight head movement, that millisecond of eye contact that provides more information than a 20 minute conversation, all of these acts give the great player the slight advantage they need to be successful game after game. Granted you need heady teammates to be aware of the cues you're sending to them, but the great player's train their teammates to recognize these cues, because after all not every player is a true student of the game.

The Bottom Line

When it all comes down to it becoming a great player requires that you become a student of the game. That you understand and recognize opportunities before everyone else on the court.

How do you get this knowledge? Can you be taught these skills? You can gain this knowledge, and be taught the necessary skills, but the real question is; will you put in the necessary time and work needed to make yourself a great player?

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