Basketball on the Edge – 3 Ways to Make Basketball More Fun Despite a System That Tries to Take that Fun Away.

Both my kids’ finished their 2018 AAU season this past weekend. During their final tournament I observed plenty of poor behavior by coaches (screaming at players and officials), parents (cheering against the opposing team rather than for their own children), and players (trash talking, dirty play, and plenty of tears and frowns after a loss). All of this anger, negative emotion, and stress resulting from youth basketball. Do we know how crazy this is? Youth basketball has gone to a place that I’m not sure we return from. I was fortunate enough to attend the Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Leadership Conference in Chicago earlier in May. At the conference, Arne Duncan, the former United States Secretary of Education and Harvard University basketball player, said that although he found the current youth basketball system lacking he himself was unable to escape it. His son plays AAU basketball and Arne is his coach. Despite the fact that Arne believes kids would be better off playing in pick-up games in their own neighborhoods for hours at a time rather than driving for hours to play an organized AAU game he stated that AAU basketball was a “necessary evil”. When he was asked why his son plays AAU, he told the moderator, “AAU is where all the good players are, I feel like I have no choice.” He went on to say that he understands that changes in how we parent and the lack of safe neighborhood courts can explain the extinction of the type of play that he (and I) grew up with. The bigger question that came out of this discussion for me was, if we can’t change the system, then how can we make the system function better for the young players that participate in it? To me, it comes back to the reason why all of us picked up a basketball in the first place, because the game was fun! How can we ensure we get the best out of the current system and make the game fun again?

1. Focus on the now, not on the endgame.

If a young player starts playing organized basketball at age 6 (using this term loosely if you’ve ever watched kids that age play) and ends up finishing their career as a high school senior that means 12 years of basketball! If the only thing parents (and likely their kids as a result) are focused on during that time is the “next level” they’re missing out on so many great opportunities to enjoy the journey. Many players (and their parents) are focused on getting a college scholarship, especially as they enter their high school years. This desire often results in the player looking out for themselves and their stats, rather than focusing on their team. A bad game or a smaller role on the team causes undue stress and makes the game less fun. I’ve seen it at every level of the game. Elementary players trying to make the “A” team or get on the “right” AAU team to ensure they get the proper “exposure”. I’ve got news for you, no one needs “exposure” in elementary school, they need to have fun and learn to love the game. In middle school the agendas continue with angling to make an interscholastic team for the first time or trying to attract recruiters from local private schools where chances for a scholarship are higher (these days, if you can play, college programs will you find regardless of where you go to school.) In high school the transfer epidemic is out of control as parents and players seek out the environment or coach that boosts (in their mind) the chances of more playing time or that elusive scholarship. I’ve had enough conversations with college players and coaches through the years to know that even college basketball players are often playing with the idea that they’ll get a shot in the NBA or overseas. Everyone is looking past the fun that can be had NOW for what’s coming next. I truly believe that if we put more emphasis on getting the most out of where we are today, the future will take care of itself. Here’s some statistics regarding the odds on a male American High School Basketball Player getting a division 1 basketball scholarship.

• There are currently 351 Division 1 teams that each offer 13 scholarships a year.
• On average, that means there are 1141 available new scholarships each year.
• However, 30% of Junior College/Prep School players take those scholarships (342 total) that leaves us with 800.
• Additionally, 10% of all scholarships go to overseas players which means we need to take off another 114.
• That leaves us with 686 players that Division 1 schools can sign directly out of High School in the US.
• There are 38,400 public and private high schools in the US that offer a basketball program.
• On average, there are 4 seniors that play for each varsity team.
• There are 154,600 High School Seniors, give or take, trying to get 686 scholarships.
• 0.4%. Yes, as an American High School Senior you have a 0.4% chance of getting an NCAA Division 1 scholarship.
• Half of these scholarships will go to players 6’5″ or taller. So if you’re under 6’5″, reduce your chances to about 0.2%.

As you can see, the odds aren’t in your favor. Instead of focusing on where basketball can take you and the stress that comes with it, shift back to enjoying the opportunity to play a game you love because it’s fun. If I could go back and play again the number one reason would be to have fun!

2. Parents, coaches, and players need to realize that comparisons take all the fun out of the game.

Comparisons are death when it comes to player development. If you are a parent stop comparing your child to other kids. Just because your child is much better, or much worse, than other players at a given point in time doesn’t matter in terms of their long term development. If you are a coach, stop comparing players to each other or to players that played for you in the past. Coach your players at the level they are now within your team setting.

As parents, we need to remember that every player develops at their own pace. Just because one of your son’s teammates is the star of the team at age 10 doesn’t mean that will be the case on the high school varsity. Maybe the kid doesn’t grow or doesn’t put in the time. Just because an eight year old can’t make a layup consistently doesn’t mean their chances of playing basketball in high school or college are out the window. That can be overcome with hard work over time.

Comparisons are dangerous because they can kill a promising career in more ways than one. If a parent tells their child they are the best player out there at age eleven, what motivation does the child have to work hard and improve? We know it takes hard work and grit to succeed. If I’m already the best (Dad told me!) why do I need to work at my game? Conversely, if a parent keeps telling their child how much better other kids are, that can destroy a child’s motivation as well. If your young player loves (or even likes) the game, let them work hard and progress at their own pace even if their current skill level is pretty low.

Have you ever said, or maybe heard someone else say, “Why can’t you shoot like Tommy?” or “Sheldon is a much better ball handler than you.” These types of comparison statements are irrelevant and hurtful to player development. So what if Tommy is a better shooter or Sheldon is a better ballhandler? Will knowing that make a young player better? No. The only valid comparison that can be made is with the player themselves. Each player is different and comparisons with other players are not relevant. The goal of player development should be to maximize the talent of that particular player, not to turn the player into a lesser version of someone else. Comparisons make a young player feel that the work they put in was for nothing. “I’ve gotten better, but Dad still thinks I’m not as good as Sheldon.” We can always find someone better than our child, chasing that goal is never ending. How discouraging for a young player to hear their parent or coach telling them others are better.

The best way to track development is to keep records of where the player is (stats, narratives) and then look back at those records to see the progress the player has made over time. Success is measured by improvement which comes as a result of practice. The more purposeful and intense the practice the better the results. The only comparison to make is with “You Yesterday”. A concept created by Dick DeVenzio. Judge the player based on their improvement from a beginning benchmark. For example, a player used to be able to make 20 free throws out of 50. Three months later the player can consistently make 25 free throws out of 50. There is improvement that should be recognized. Are there players out there that can make more than 25 out of 50? Of course, and compared to those players this player is a “poor shooter”, but compared to themselves just three months ago their shooting percentage has gone up 10%. Should a parent or coach label this player a “poor shooter” or focus on the gains and the potential for even more improvement in the future?

Parents and coaches, please stop comparing kids to other kids. All players develop at different rates, both physically and in terms of their basketball skills. Put your focus on growth over time. Encourage and reward the hard work and grit it takes to get better. Don’t tell players, “If only you could be like…” Nothing turns a young player off faster and our goal is to turn kids on to the game not off! Kids love getting better at things. The process of getting better at basketball should be fun.

3. Make more shots = Have more fun.

I wanted to build on this idea from a blog post on the PGC Basketball website. What is the first thing any young kid wants to do when they pick up a basketball for the first time? They want to shoot the ball up into the basket. Why? Because it’s fun! It’s instant gratification. The first and second grade physical education classes that I teach are filled with kids that want to shoot the ball even if there is no chance for them to get a shot up to a ten foot basket. Do they want to dribble? Work on their passing? Grab some rebounds? No, they want to shoot the ball. It’s what attracts young and old to the game basketball.

I’ve written before about what it takes to be a good shooter, but no matter what type of player you are, how old you are, or what position you play, you can never be too good of a shooter. Making shots is fun. Watch what happens when Steph Curry goes on one of his scoring binges like he did in games 6 & 7 against Houston last week. Both he and his teammates were energized and the Rockets were demoralized. When the ball goes in the basket everything else seems to fall into place. The game is more fun when shots are dropping.

With my sixth grade boys this past season there were several times I turned to my assistant coach to say, “The ball just doesn’t go in.” We would do everything right and then miss the shot. Frustrating for the players (and the coaches!) On the other hand when shots are dropping everything comes together. The spirit of the team picks up, the defensive effort increases, and the kids feel better about themselves. What does this mean for young players? It means that players should work on their shooting. Simply put, being a good shooter means having more fun playing the game.
How can a young player become a better shooter? Check out these shooting tips I’ve written about previously. Here are a two other quick tips to help you become a better shooter.

Understand what a good shot is. (And what it isn’t)

You may be able to make a three point shot, but that doesn’t mean you are a three point shooter. Do not confuse your ability to occasionally throw in a three with being a good shooter from that distance. Unless you can hit 70% of your shots from a given distance at game speed, using game footwork, you are not a good shooter from that distance. Don’t take shots outside your range during a game. Stick with shots you can make at a high rate. Players from youth leagues to the NBA often struggle with shot selection. The sooner you understand shot selection the better off you will be. More of your shots will go in, you’ll have more fun playing, and you’ll help your team win more games.

Understand how to warm-up for a game or practice.

Don’t be the player who finishes tying his or her shoes, picks up a ball, and immediately heads behind the three point line to launch a few jumpers. Instead, get close to the basket, do some form shooting, and then slowly work your way out. I fight this constantly with my son, our team, and almost all young players. Starting out close to the basket and focusing on form prepares the body and mind to make shots. Why practice shots you are not capable of making on a consistent basis that you will never take in a game? Make your warm-up for games or practice purposeful.

Next time you head to the gym, remember this simple equation Make more shots = Have more fun!

As much as I’d like to change the youth basketball ecosystem and shift it back towards the model I grew up with I know that isn’t realistic. The system we have isn’t going away. That doesn’t mean we can’t maximize the joy that young players, parents, and coaches derive from the game. By focusing on the now instead of what’s next, eliminating comparisons, and developing players into better shooters we can make the most of our basketball experiences and ensure that everyone is having fun!

Click here to register for one of our upcoming programs!

Sign up now to get a “Head Start” on your competition with our free basketball tip of the day delivered straight to your inbox. Click below, enter your email and we’ll also send you our E-Book, “Mental Toughness, Improve Your Brain – Improve Your Game”.