Avoid These Red Flags On The Court To Earn Respect And  Build Your Reputation As A Good Player.

By The Morris Basketball Program.

A reputation is a very powerful thing– hard to make, so very easy to break.  You can work for years to grow and maintain your reputation as an elite or hardworking player, and watch it get shattered in the blink of an eye.  You can destroy an entire basketball career’s worth of good reputation over the course of just one play.

Basketball is a tricky sport in which it is a completely team oriented game, but just one player, at any time, can change the fate of each and every game.  There is a little magic to that last statement.  It means that a hero can be made any moment.  But bad basketball players can be created or identified in the same exact process.  You most definitely do not want to be labeled a “bad basketball player”.  It’s a bit difficult to recover from this.  But all hope is not lost.  If you feel there is a chance you may be a bad basketball player, and would like to improve, we suggest signing up with the Morris Basketball Program and fine tuning your skills!

If the following list accurately describes your game or someone you know, please tell them!  There is nothing worse than someone who does not know how to play basketball, but doesn’t even know that they are bad!  The first step in improving and How To Earn More Playing Time On The Basketball Court is admitting you need help!

There is nothing at all wrong with admitting that at this very moment, you are a bad basketball player.  Everyone starts somewhere.  What really matters is if you are now willing to put in the time, effort, and resources into improving.  Basketball Drills, Basketball Training, Private Basketball Coaching, and Basketball Clinics are all great examples of ways to improve your skills behind the scenes!

1. You Complain About Not Getting The Ball/Playing Time

Don’t get me wrong.  There will always be the situations on teams where politics come into play, and a player that is most deserving of playing time or receiving the ball will not be put in a favorable situation.  This happens all the time.  These are not the players I’m talking about.  I’m talking about the players that are obviously in need of some type of basketball coaching/lessons that are in some delusional world about being on the short end of the stick.  There is a reason that you may not be getting the ball enough, or may not be playing enough.  Most times, it’s rather simple:  The people, or players, in the position to get you the ball or put you in the game are not full believers in your game.

I know it hurts to hear this.  But I rather you hear it from me than someone else.  I would never lie to you.  That is the main reason why people don’t pass the ball-they trust in either their own game, or another fellow teammate’s game, more than they trust your basketball skills or play-making ability, regardless if it makes sense or not.

…But then again maybe I’m wrong.  Maybe you can’t receive the ball because you just stand there on offense when you don’t have the ball.  In that case…..YOU ARE STILL A BAD PLAYER.  Good players know Why Moving Without The Ball Can Improve Your Basketball Career.

2. Your Basketball Stats Are Full Of Turnovers

Bad basketball players don’t take care of the basketball.  Poor ball handling, bad catching skills, bad passing, and overall carelessness with the basketball is a huge red flag of a bad player.  Good players are always under control on the basketball court, and know the value of each possession.  They take care of the basketball as if it was their first born, and carefully guide it to where it needs to be on the floor.  The best point guards on any level of basketball all average a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.

Take care of the ball!!  No coach is going to play a walking turnover.  No teammate wants to pass the ball to a walking turnover.  So those of you who this accurately describe, I would bet my bottom dollar that #1 accurately describes you as well.

@ the Morris Basketball Program, we put our players through some of the best basketball ball handling you can find!

3.  You Are Uncoachable/A Bad Teammate

One of the biggest lessons to learn at an early age in the game of basketball is that you are simply one piece of a set of moving parts.  A basketball team is a living thing.  It can grow chemistry, or it can self destruct.  If you are the teammate that always has the bad attitude, or never gives 100% effort, you are hurting the team.  No one likes a team cancer.  One bad attitude can spoil an entire team.  Coaches and even other teammates can sense a bad egg and can/will black ball you over time.

No matter what situation you find yourself in on your respective team, always be respectful and mindful of others on your team.  Never disrupt team chemistry, whether accidental or intentional.  No one, including the coach himself, is bigger than the team.  If you are unhappy with your role on the team, don’t let that spoil your chance to redeem your greatness.  A bad attitude has never translated into getting more respect in basketball.

If you are the one with a bad attitude and are uncoachable/a bad teammate, I am certain you also can identify with #1.

4.  You Can’t/Won’t Play Defense

“Defense wins Championships!” – Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant Jr.

If you are constantly finding yourself getting beaten on the defensive end of the floor, don’t expect to get significant playing time.  And don’t expect your teammates to be happy with you.  Or your fans.  Or your coach.  In a nutshell, if you are a weak defensive player, the opposing team will key on you, and try to expose your weaknesses for all to see.  Defense is the true key to being a consistently good player.  Because offense will at times come and go.  Sometimes you have a good offensive game and score a lot, sometimes you might struggle.  But you can always make a difference in the game on the defensive end.

Defense is the one aspect of the game of basketball that is less about skill, and more about effort.  It is always easy to notice when a player takes pride on the defensive end of the floor. You should probably re-evaluare your game if you don’t believe in playing good, hard defense.

5.  You Don’t Get In The Gym To Get Better At Basketball

 If some of these themes are ringing a bell for you, and you haven’t been in the gym in the last 7 days…well there you have it.  How can you improve at basketball if you don’t try new basketball drills, camps, clinics, private training, especially one on one drills on your own!?  The only real bad player in basketball is the one who knows he needs improvement but does nothing about it.  It’s not about where you start talent wise, it’s always about where you end up!

If it seems scary how accurately this list describes your game, we suggest you use this Summer to learn How To Earn “Most Improved Player” During The Offseason.

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