Keep it Simple - Thoughts on Fundamentals

"Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise." 

I have found myself repeating "just do the simple thing," "keep it simple" a lot lately. Oftentimes, it is said with a bit of frustration in my voice after I watch one of our players do something completely unnecessary, i.e. fadeaway's in shooting drills without defenders, jumping passing lanes with back turned to their assignment, step backs, etc. The same players doing this are the same ones who don't know how to properly pivot, can't make a left handed layup, or don't know how to box out. 

I am not an extreme stickler. I don't forbid kids of watching the NBA or try new moves, but what young players do not understand (and is tough to convey) is that they need a fundamental foundation before what they see on TV can be achieved with consistent success. Foundation - five skills: shoot, pass, rebound, defend, and dribble. Thats it. Anyone should be able to coach this and anyone can do it. It is simple, drill work on this is easy to find and do.

"In a world of social media, we glorify the results and not the process. We see the kick that knocked someone out but not the years of effort that went into perfecting it. We see the results, not the hard work."

6th graders should focus on catching the ball ready with their feet set before practicing a step-back jumper. 8th graders should not be putting together combo moves to finish at the rim if they can't make a left handed layup. I could go on all day. Players see James Harden shooting step backs, Steph Curry launching deep threes, Ja Morant making jelly finishes at the rim. There is nothing wrong with any of these moves by all-time great players but youth players think they can emulate that TODAY. No. See what I have put in bold - you are not yet an all time great. The Steph Curry's of the world have put countless hours of work into building his foundation to be able to shoot those deep shots.

"The only way to become good at something is to practice the ordinary basics for an uncommon length of time. Most people get bored. They want excitement. They want something to talk about and no one talks about the boring basics."

Think about most video games. When you level up you unlock new missions, new games, new gear. Advancing in basketball is the same. Once you consistently make 10 left handed layups in a row you "level up." At the next level you can work on a reverse left handed layup, and once you make 10/10 consistently thereafter the same things applies in new moves and drills. Parents, coaches, players... it takes time. A ton of time. Be patient and enjoy the journey. ​

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

Keep things simple. Don't practice a move you'll score 2 points a season on. If you want high PPG, APG or RPG, you're better off focusing on the simple stuff, the basics that you can do in bulk. 

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do." 

Haris T. 

DCBA Program Director