Tips on High School Basketball

Perform Well in the Classroom

• Your primary goal as a high school basketball player should be to do well in school. Without achieving certain grades, students are ineligible to participate in high school sports. Intelligence in the classroom often translates into intelligence and success on the basketball court. Few high school basketball players are able to play at the next levels, either collegiately or professionally, so there must be a balance between time spent practicing and time spent studying. High school basketball can be a significant time commitment, so you must learn to balance your time to succeed in the classroom and on the basketball court.

Practice During the Season

• The sign of a good high school basketball player is not determined by the number of points he scores. Learn to excel at passing, ballhandling, shooting and defense. Display good teamwork and strive to be an all-around good player on offense and defense, no matter how tall or short you are. The best high school basketball players often demonstrate a desire to improve on offense and defense, especially after a poor game or practice, by arriving to the gym early or staying until late to practice.

Practice During the Off-season

• Practicing and playing competitive basketball during the off-season can determine whether you're good enough to make your basketball teams. Summer basketball camps and organized tournaments can help improve your skills. Many high schools offer basketball camps at a reasonable price. Seek improvement in any strengths or weaknesses in your game. Stay in basketball playing shape during the off-season by lifting weights, playing organized basketball with high school teammates, running or participating in other high school sports.

Coachable

• An average high school basketball player who is coachable will likely be given more playing opportunities than an above-average player who cannot be coached. High school basketball coaches want players who are eager to improve and follow their instruction during games and practice. Show a desire to learn and improve. Appear coachable during practice, in games, during timeouts and even when resting on the bench.

Teammates

• High school players should be good teammates. High school basketball teams excel when there is chemistry among teammates on and off the court. A good teammate encourages other players to play hard. Set an example to your teammates by working hard in practice and in games, being coachable, showing up on time for practices and games and by being a leader on and off the court.