How do you spend your weekdays? Do you begin by talking with your friends about the tournament you just played in, and finish the week by talking about the games you will win in the upcoming weekend? Do you take a couple of jump shots after school with your friends? Do you play in a couple of pick-up games throughout the week? Do you attend one practice a week where you go through quick repetitions of various skills?
Do you think you are devoting the right sort of time? Do you think you’re getting better?
Everybody loves to play games, but not everybody loves to practice. The best players love the off-season just as much as the season. They know the better off-season they have, the better chances that their season will be better. These players know that the individual work they put in will not only benefit their own game, but most importantly, their team. There are certainly benefits to playing in games, but games don’t allow you take 500 elbow jumpers in an hour, perfect your jab series, or make 25 consecutive free throws. These skills are perfected by yourself, then later utilized to help your team win.
I agree that games are way more fun then drills. In order to perform at your best, you must learn to love those hours spent alone, working on your game. There are too many players that think that playing pick-up everyday is the best way to get better. I am going to promise you that this mentality is skewed. You need both of these aspects to become a complete player.
Love to love to practice. Love to make yourself better. Love the game.
