4 Reasons You May Have Been Cut From Your Basketball Team This Year

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If you wasted your preseason you are already one step behind in the game.

Sports in general (but more specifically basketball) are one of the things that are nothing like riding a bike.  If you don’t use your abilities and try to constantly fine tune and improve your basketball skills you will most definitely lose them.  You can’t take the entire off-season off, and step back on the basketball court and expect your game to be the same.  A lot of time, effort, and sweat must be  given in order to see real improvements in your game.

The preseason is considered to be the period of time from the beginning of the new school year up until basketball tryouts beginning during the end of the Fall.  So we can consider the basketball preseason to last about three months.  Three months is a lot of time in terms of basketball conditioning, but it is not when it comes to basketball skill training.. It takes many many hours to master a skill.  It only takes a few weeks of heavy dedication to get into basketball shape.

Here are 4 things that can ruin your basketball season before it even starts:

1.  Not Taking Training Seriously

In today’s basketball world, intense training is a given.  Back in the day, you could probably get away with not training as hard as you could and still see some kind of success as a basketball player.  But those days are over.  There is way too much competition (who are probably in the gym training right now) to think you will be fine if you are not constantly pushing your game to new heights.  The majority of players these days are in the gym consistently on their own, playing on multiple teams, and seeking out PRIVATE BASKETBALL TRAINING twice per week in an attempt to get an edge on the competition.  So if you are in the gym training on your own regularly, you are doing just enough to stay one step behind your competitors.

2.  Not Being In Basketball Shape

A lot of players underestimate the significance of being a well-conditioned basketball player.  Players tend to understand why they need to improve their actual skills, but don’t see how being in tip-top shape can make basketball skill training easier.  The better shape you are in, the more likely you are to perform your drills at game speed.  The more you train at game speed, the better chance you have at translating your improved skills into the real game.  A prime example of this is the ability to constantly MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL to tire out your defender and find open shots you normally wouldn’t be able to shoot.

3.  Not Building Team Chemistry

A big mistake players (especially new players to a program, such as high school freshman) make is not taking the time to build chemistry with their teammates.  Although this may seem small and insignificant, it can make or break your chances to make the team for the year.  This is especially true if you are a newcomer to a team with a returning core group of players.  You want to show you can fit in with the current system while also showcasing your skills!  This goes hand in hand with #4.

4.  Not Knowing Your Role For The Upcoming Season

Knowing your role on your basketball team for the new season is just as important as being skillfully prepared.  If you are not aware of what your role might be, how could you properly prepare for it?  Although everyone wants to be the star player of course, everyone has to start somewhere.  Your role could be anything from being a top scorer to being a glorified practice player.  Whatever your role is, you should take pride in the fact that you may have a spot on the team and have a chance to contribute.  As long as you have a role, you have a chance at climbing the totem pole on your team and also you can know how to prepare in the off-season.

If you didn’t make the cut but still think you have what it takes, the Morris Basketball Program can help you to secure your spot on your team’s roster!

@MBP973

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Is AAU Basketball Good or Bad?

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3 Pros and Cons of playing the game of AAU basketball.

Many many years ago, there was only one way to get recruited to play college basketball-believe it or not.  This can be known as the Traditional Method.  The Traditional Method was pretty simple–play for your local high school program, win games and put up good numbers.  If your team finds some kind of success or you put up huge numbers, college scouts would flock to your games.  If they were impressed, they would inquire with your coach for more information.  If the coach puts in a good word for you, then most likely you would be getting some face time with the scout.

That is pretty simple and straightforward process.  It worked for some, and hurt others’ chances at getting that coveted scholarship.

Over the years, AAU basketball has grown exponentially and has added an extra channel for recruiters and players to interact.  AAU seasons can run from the end of regular basketball season all the way up until the start of the next season, many times overlapping the regular basketball season.  There are countless teams, all with different age brackets/gender teams.

Here are the top 3 Pros of AAU Basketball:

1. You Meet And Play Against Different Types Of Competition

Most school teams only play against competition in a generally local area, unless your team is a perennial powerhouse. For those who have played AAU, I’m sure you remember the days of long road trips, possibly flights, and playing against a different team pretty much every single game. Going against these odds can make you immune to the uncomfortable feeling of playing against an unfamiliar playing style, which can pay off later on in your career. Also, some of the players you will meet up against you might see on TV one day. Exposure to competition from all over can only help sharpen your game.

2. You Get ALOT Of Game Action

That is, if you see the court. For those that get regular playing time on their AAU team, they have multiple seasons worth of games in just one offseason. Just be sure not to burn yourself out. But if you are not getting much playing time on your AAU team, you may be wasting your summer. If this sounds like you, we suggest you sign up for our Sunday Group Workouts in order to learn How To Earn More Playing Time On The Basketball Court

There is no greater teacher than game experience itself.  Get as many games in as you can and try things you might not be as comfortable trying during your school season!

3.  You Can Try Things You Might Not Try During The School Season

One of the best parts of AAU is that it gives you a chance to further develop your game, especially your individual game.  This is not saying that you should be selfish during AAU season.  Selfish basketball is never good and should be minimized.  But you get a chance to be a little selfish with what moves you try to pull off against the defense, different types of passes you may not be comfortable trying during the school season, or even trying a new position.  AAU is supposed to be about development and growth.

Looking for an AAU team?  Play For MBP and get free training included!

Top 3 Cons of AAU Basketball:

1. There Are Just As Many Politics, If Not More Than Your School Team.

Many teams can be run by parents, or coaches that could have a predisposition for certain players they may already know and be comfortable with.  Many times these politics can be worse than even the worst situations you might encounter for your school team.  This shouldn’t come as a surprise to players and/or parents.

2.  You Might Not Learn The Fundamentals

AAU basketball is centered around quantity of games, rather than quality of games.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is common to see in AAU games players not using the basic fundamentals of basketball to guide their play.  And in the AAU system, this is rarely seen as a problem.  Wins/losses, championships and college scouts matter to most AAU teams, so for the most part, you might not learn some of the most crucial basics that will give your entire career its foundation.  If fundamentals are what you need, we suggest a Private Training Session with one of our professional coaches.

3.  It Can Make You Lazy

The lifestyle that comes with AAU basketball can be dangerous–especially if you are an elite player.  AAU, and the clout and notoriety that can come with it  can fool a player into thinking he’s already “there,” and doesn’t have any weaknesses.  This makes a player lazy because it conditions you to feel like there isn’t an urgent need to get in the gym and work on your game.  And basketball IS NOT like riding a bike.  If you don’t sharpen your skills regularly, unfortunately you will lose them.  We suggest trying The Most Complete Basketball Workout to keep you in top basketball condition.

To sum it all up, AAU basketball is a double-edged sword.  It can be your best friend, and open your career to many new and exciting opportunities while toughening up your game.  But if used wrong, or in the wrong situation, it can actually harm your game.  Be careful out there and play hard!

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