Feb 25 • 💬 General discussion
Basketball isn't hard; people just make it harder than what it is.
A lot of players go into the game relying on talent, skill, or honestly just instinct to play well and get results. The thing is, basketball is a very nuanced and detailed game. This is why a player can do well one game and then immediately have a bad game depending on the situation or the team they’re playing.
It’s exactly why, when we are training, we use accountability, tools, and "distractions" to make the game harder.
But when you break it down, basketball is very easy. It’s just Problem and Solution:
- Example 1: If a defense is in a 2-3 zone, you should be mature enough and have the IQ to know how to break it. You need a high post, and we know the weakness of a zone is the middle and the wings. Problem, solution.
- Example 2: If a player beats their initial defender and the defense collapses, and a help-side player comes over to recover, the initial player has the ability to finish based on their skill level or kick it to the open player for an open shot.
- Example 3: If a player is struggling with their shot and can’t find a rhythm, coaches often give the "pseudo solution" of making it up with hustle and defense. The real solution? Go get a layup. Once a player sees the ball go through the hoop, confidence goes up and confidence solves a lot of problems instantly.
The Truth About Skill
Oftentimes we believe that skills solve problems for players, but the reality is you don’t truly have a skill unless you can repeat it consistently with accountability and under pressure. This is why a player can make 20 layups in a row, but as soon as I put a cone in their hand or have them hold a foam roller, they start missing. These tools force the brain to focus on multiple tasks at once. They are distractions that simulate a real defense. If you can’t finish through the distractions of training, you won't finish through the distractions of a game (nerves, crowds, new opponents).
The "Footwork Mat" Dynamic
I've noticed a major divide between players who love the footwork mat and those who hate it:
- The Players Who Love It: They love the accountability. Once they get a movement down on the mat, they’ve mastered the skill. When I see their game film, their footwork looks exactly like the mat is still under them. They remember the definitions and the details.
- The Players Who Hate It: They usually hate the accountability. They don't like being told exactly where their foot placement needs to be. When I see their game film, the small details the mat corrects are the exact reasons they can’t get around a defender.
The higher you go up in basketball, the more detailed things become. If you can’t discipline yourself in training and remember the details, how can a coach expect you to remember the details at a higher level?
The Solution: Train with a lot of distractions plus accountability. If you can retain your focus and finish or shoot consistently while under many distractions, then you know you have a skill. If you can’t repeat it, it is not a skill you have.
Make training harder, so the game is easier.
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Basketball isn't hard; people just make it harder than what it is.
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