How do I earn more playing time?

Before we can answer that all players need to make sure they bring a positive attitude and strong
work ethic every single day and never speak in a negative way about anyone involved with the team.
If you can do this, then we can get into what it takes to earn more playing time.

My response to this question has always been the same and will never change…

PLAY DEFENSE AND DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER!

DEFENSE- If you score 4 points per game but you can shut down the opponent’s best scorer you
offer an incredible amount of value to our winning team. The best defender on the team will not
only receive playing time but about a 99% chance they are a starter and only come out of games
when we have a large lead. When I watch our MS teams play, I try to see who the best defender is
and try to think of how I can create a role for them as a Freshman on the Varsity level. The best
defender always has my immediate attention; on ball defense, help side defense and rebounding. I
want players to be able to do each of these without fouling. If you score 20 points per game but you
give up 22 points to the girl you are guarding you do not have much value to a winning team.

PROTECT THE BALL- If you score 0 points per game but you get your teammates open shots each
possession and have 0 turnovers in the back court or top of key you offer unlimited amount of
value to our winning team. If you are the best ball handler, I always need you on the court as you
will make every player around you better. We like to play positionless basketball so everyone must
be able to dribble and pass in the flow of the offense. We want some players to have the ball in their
hands more often than others, especially when bringing the ball up the court or running the offense
at the top of the key. Turnovers in these 2 areas will lead to immediate points for our opponents so
we need players who are able to limit this from happening. If you score 20 points per game but your
turnovers lead to 22 points for our opponent, you do not have much value to a winning team.

Once a Coach sees that you have a positive attitude, are willing to work hard, play defense and are
trusted to handle the ball your role will expand on the offensive end of the court.

I have been strongly encouraging every player to work on ball handling since our season ended, this
is a simple path to playing time. We ordered more weighted basketballs to train this skill. These
weighted basketballs can also be used to improve passing and conditioning. All returning players
should know plenty of drills and here is a video showing some other drills with the weighted ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLLQI-hOATs

I broke down a few times in the video for you:

1:25-2:55 2 ball stationary drills

4:00-5:30 and 6:40-7:30 1 ball fingertip and dribbling drills

7:50 – 9:50 Passing drills (use a wall or a friend) you can also do same drills with a bounce pass.

15:40-17:40 Explosiveness and conditioning ***17:00-17:40 Rip, duck, go***

Be creative with the drills you do at home on your own, have fun and
use your resources.
REPETITION LEADS TO CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE LEADS TO SUCCESS