How To Use This Basketball Offseason To Return To Your Team As “The Most Improved Player”
By the Morris Basketball Program
You may have had a great season this past year, or you may have struggled. You may have hit some game winners, or you may have spent more time watching your team play, and not have stepped foot on the basketball court. Either way, regardless if you are the #1 option on your team or option #12, there is one award that every player on every team has an equal playing field to earn: Most Improved Player.
This award doesn’t care about what you’ve done in the past, or what you say you want to do with your basketball career. The Most Improved Player award only cares what you have done from the very last day of your last basketball season, up until the very last day of your next basketball season. So you literally have 365 days worth of chances to prove you are worthy of this award. Although you do get 365 days, we are going to focus solely on the offseason, and not mention the preseason, regular season, or playoffs.
Earning your team’s “Most Improved Player” award would also be a huge step in learning How To Earn More Playing Time On The Basketball Court.
1. Get In The Gym Consistently; Stay Committed
There is no way you could become the Most Improved Player if you don’t put in the actual time in the gym. We are not saying that you must be in the gym 6 hours everyday in order to see any improvement. What we are saying, though is that in order to improve more than your competition, you must put in more work than what your competition is doing. Get in the gym on a consistent, regular routine and put in your work! Basketball drills, game situations, creating your own shot, and ball handling are things that always could use work. If you are too lazy to get off your behind and try to improve your basketball skills, how could you ever even say you want to earn an award such as M.I.P.?
Another important part of getting in the gym is getting actual game time. Especially if you have struggled for playing time this season, one of the best ways to better learn the game is to get more in-game experience! AAU and summer teams are a great option for this-if you are local to the Northern NJ area and are struggling to find an adequate AAU team for your playing style, the Morris Basketball Program can help you find the perfect basketball team for your needs. Just contact us!
2. Find New Basketball Drills And Try Them!
Basketball Drills are the cornerstone of skill improvement. There are skills and drills for basketball players of all ages, sizes, and positions. If you are a guard but you need help working on your passing skills, there are drills for this. If you are a post player but don’t have a drop-step finish, you must find some drills that can help you improve in this. If you are a slasher but have a poor shooting percentage, there are some drills that can help your shooting consistency. Have you attempted The Most Complete Individual Basketball Workout yet? If you have already attempted this, yet are struggling to find ideas for new basketball drills, we strongly suggest you follow the Morris Basketball Program’s Instagram Page for basketball workout videos, such as the video below:
3. Try Different Conditioning Training Methods
One of the best (and beneficial) offseason basketball training methods does not even involve the game of basketball. Running sprints are always a great option to get yourself into prime game-shape, but you have most likely been running on-court sprints all season. This is where the unconventional methods of conditioning come in handy. Running hills/stairs, pool workouts, cross fit, etc. are all viable options for keeping you on your toes, getting you in maximum shape, and helping you return to the court fully refreshed and prepared. Changing your workout routine occasionally can help transform you into a better overall athlete.
4. Start Next Season With A Fresh Mindset
Every season is a journey. Every journey starts with a first step. If you have done your job as a basketball player correctly, and have put in the necessary time, effort, and blood/sweat/tears, you most likely will notice a huge increase in your natural confidence on the court, for everything from your jumpshot down to your ball handling. With this newborn confidence, you should be stepping onto the court for your first preseason practice feeling like a brand new player that everyone should fear. A strong mind is just as important as a strong game! You must have confidence in yourself if you want others to have the same confidence in you.
Follow the Morris Basketball Program on Instagram for more basketball videos: @mbp_973
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