Author: morrisbasketballprogram

Basketball Training

The Most Complete Individual Basketball Workout

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Morris Basketball Program

“To Be A Well Rounded Player, You Must Have A Well Rounded Workout Program”

By The Morris Basketball Program

Ever felt like you weren’t seeing enough improvement from your hours at the gym?  Ever wondered what makes up a college or professional-level basketball workout?  Ever needed basketball workout advice but don’t know where to turn?  Look no further.  We all know the key to a great workout is you get out what you put in.  By changing a few small habits, and incorporating a renewed mindset, you can immediately start reaping the rewards of a top notch workout.

The following should be included in each and every workout:

1. An Intense Warm Up

Every journey must start with a first step, and your workout is no different.  A proper warm up is meant to get your blood going, warm up tight muscles, & break a strong sweat.  But most players fail to recognize the mental aspect of warming up.  A good 10 minute warm up is all you really need to get both your mind and body stretched, warmed, locked-in and focused for the workout at hand.

2. Ballhandling/Shooting

These two things are essential to a proper work out.  Most players usually include a decent amount of ballhandling and shooting into their workouts.  I prefer to work on ballhandling before shooting because it helps me find my feel for the ball, giving my shot more confidence.

The key in this area is to always stay on your toes by changing the drills/workout routines with ballhandling and shooting.  If you continue to do the same drills over and over, you will stunt your growth as a player and playmaker.

3. Game Situations

This is an area where the majority of young players fail to take advantage.  You can do all of the ballhandling/shooting in the world, but if you can’t translate these skills into an actual game environment, you are working for absolutely nothing.  Here at the Morris Basketball Program, we are constantly putting our players through game-like situations to test their skills in a real environment.

Although this particular aspect of your workout is difficult with only one player, appropriately placed cones (as defenders) and a strong imagination can get the job done.

4. *Conditioning*

Believe it or not, this is the most important part of your workout!  If you are not in basketball game shape, it doesn’t matter how good you are.  If you can’t get up and down the court and keep up with your team or opposing player, you have no right to be on the court!! Basketball is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, so if you are not in prime shape (with enough stamina to last an entire game) you may struggle.

Being in the best shape on your team by itself can help you to Become A Better Off-The-Ball Scorer.

We suggest using conditioning as a consequence for every missed shot while working on #5.

5. Free Throws!!!

If you have done a good enough job with #’s 2, 3, and 4, you will find yourself at the free throw line.  A LOT.  If you can’t convert free throws, you are hurting yourself as well as your team.  If you struggle at the line, learn The 5 Steps To A Perfect Free Throw

Free throws should be shot during regular intervals between drills (while you are still tired).  Shoot at least 3-5, and make sure you do some form of conditioning as punishment for every missed free throw.

 

Just missed the cut: 

Footwork, Passing

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Basketball Training

Why Moving Without The Ball Can Improve Your Basketball Career

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Morris Basketball Program

Why players who know how to move WITHOUT the ball are more successful.

By The Morris Basketball Program

Whenever you imagine yourself playing basketball, 99 percent of the time you are in a situation where you have the ball and have your heart set on creating something, whether it be your own shot or an opportunity for a teammate.  No one really imagines setting themselves up for the game winning shot by not having the ball to begin with.  But in reality, this is where most uncontested shot opportunities begin.  Being able to create a shot for yourself is important, but it is not everything.  Having to create for yourself and your teammates can be rewarding, but it can also be very frustrating if things are not going your way.  Being able to always find the open space on the court and make yourself available to an open pass for an uncontested shot is just as effective, and requires minimal effort if you are in great basketball shape.  This is one of the easiest ways to Earn More Playing Time.

A perfect example of a player of this nature would be Ray Allen (in the latter years of his career).  After all the athleticism left his body, he still found ways to be an effective shooter and scorer on the court, to remain a valuable piece to his team.  He kept his body in great condition, to allow him to have a high motor to find open spots on the floor with non-stop movement.  When you move without the ball, you will realize you create opportunities not just for yourself, but you will open up more opportunities for your teammates as well.

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Basketball Training

How To Earn More Playing Time On The Basketball Court

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MBP7
Be A Key Player

Earn the playing time you deserve!

By The Morris Basketball Program

In the game of basketball, there are key players, role players, utility players, STAR players, and practice players.  Although each and every player must serve a different role on their respective team, these roles do not have to be permanent.  Early on in your career, you may find yourself in any one of these categories (obviously you would be happier being a STAR/key player rather than a role/practice player).  The beautiful thing about this game is that year after year, situations can change and you can find yourself either in a better role or quite possibly in a weaker role.  Even if you are waiting for your chance next season, there are things you can do at the end of your current season to put yourself in a better position for next year.  There are many different factors that can influence your role on your team.  One of the main things that help you transition UP the ladder is realizing that there are some things you may not be able to control in your situation with your team (don’t worry about these), but there are MANY things you CAN control that can affect your value as a player.  My personal advice to all players (especially the younger players) is to not worry about your current situation, and continue working and practicing for the role you want NEXT season.  ALOT CAN HAPPEN IN ONE YEAR/SEASON.  TRUST ME.

I have known players that have gone unnoticed for years finally reach their potential and get that college scholarship everyone desires so much, some even making it to a professional level.  On the other hand, I also personally know some players that were dubbed “the next best thing” that never panned out throughout high school or college, and were a huge disappointment based on the hype they received as a youth, and now are only legends at the park during the summer.

Below are several tips I have learned throughout the years that can IMMEDIATELY get you more attention as a player and eventually gain the respect of both your coach and teammates on your way to earning significant amounts of playing time.

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Basketball Training

5 Steps To A Perfect Free Throw

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Morris Basketball Program
The Morris Basketball Program

How To Become The Best Free Throw Shooter On Your Team!

By The Morris Basketball Program

All basketball players have lived this moment in their heads at some point in their career- down 1, 1 second left, with two free throws to seal the game for your team.  You step to the line, ice flowing through your veins, and drill the first shot like you could have done it with your eyes closed.  The crowd goes crazy.  You step back to the line, poised as ever, ignoring the screaming haters, not even noticing your family and friends in the stands.  You take that deep breath you take before you know you are going to become a hero, bend your knees, hold your follow through, and watch as the ball flows softly through the net to seal the win for your team.  Everyone goes wild and carries you off the court to go celebrate!

If only it were that easy.  Unfortunately, sealing the deal at the free throw line not only takes impeccable mechanics, but mental toughness, discipline, and a lot of tunnel vision.  Here are 5 easy steps to increasing your free throw percentage:

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