How to Earn More Playing Time

Every player that doesn’t play the whole game is always wondering – “How do I get more time?”  Too many times parents and players think that game performance should dictate whether they (or the son/daughter) ‘deserves’ more time.  That’s very rarely the case.  There’s no doubt that game performance is important, but game performance is simply a result of preparation.  The best players are not the best players because they were born with incredible skill and IQ.  They are the best because they spend hours and hours in preparation for the game, so that they can be the best during the game.  In other words – their playing time is earned by sweat, blood, and tears outside of the actual game.  More time spent working out at home, being at all the practices, and giving 100 percent in practices results in earning the coach’s respect – and in turn – more game time.

However, it’s important to remember that practice is simply not shooting the basketball on your goal or playing 3-on-3.  Players who work their way into the game rotation are the players who are structured in their workouts – they workout with a purpose.  When they shoot around they are thinking about their footwork, form, and release points.  They push themselves to their limit at every practice and pay attention to every detail of each play and drill.  They take home what they learned at practice and work at it until it becomes a habit – a habit they perform during a game without thinking about it. 

Do you want to earn more time on the floor?  Work twice as hard at home and in practice as everyone else.  Sooner or later your coach will realize that he can’t afford to have you on the bench. 

Coach CJ

CHSM Crimson Knights

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter @CJPomeroy1

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