To be great at something, what does it take? Do you have to have a skill? Sure. Do you need to be genetically gifted? It helps, but it is not necessary to be great. These factors in a player can define them as a good player, but will never take them far without hard work, and with hard work comes consistency. It is very important for basketball players, even all athletes in general, to have a routine as it prepares them and enables them to be consistent player in their sport. There are two types of preparations: the preparation for a season and the preparation for a game.
How you perform on the court all comes down to how you worked during the offseason. The off-season is the most important key to a great player, as this is where athletes improve and expand their game. An off-season should not be looked over like it is a period where you can just sit there and think that it is just a time of relaxing. Sure, you can go on vacations with your family or spend time with something outside of basketball; however, there should be a balance between the two, as at the end of the day, your goal is to be the better player you once were last year. This period of time, for a high school basketball player, is about six to eight months, is dangerous if used incorrectly. Even some players do not necessarily have an “off-season” as they are constantly traveling throughout the summer to tournaments or some are just simply going out every day to put up as many shots as they can. The sacrifice and dedication a player puts in the offseason truly pays off, as a different type of player comes out when basketball season comes around.
In addition to what was mentioned above, what makes players great is also how they prepare themselves before a game, or in other words, their routine. Having a routine is key to an athlete as it provides consistency and better preparation before they step out on that court. No matter how odd the routine is, a player can make up any routine they want as long as it is persistent, helps them, and most of it works out for them in a game. If it is reading a book, listening to music, saying a prayer, or even doing a warm up. Building these types of habits not only makes you excel, but it keeps you going further down the season. For example, if there was an upcoming game that was very important, a player may have a little nervousness towards them; however, with the performing of the same routine they have been doing they can ease their bodies a little bit in preparation for the game.
All these preparations are what structure a good athlete. The building of good habits not only builds stability, it also builds consistency enabling the player to feel more comfortable and confident before any game or any challenge. It goes all the way back to the off season, how a player spends their time will predict how they will perform in the actual game. In addition, their routine before games helps them build consistency which will provide them with a type of calmness in order to be ready for any game.
