Hello Hoopsters.
Do you want to make your high school or college basketball team as basketball walk-on? I did it and had a great 4 year college basketball career.
Lets get right to the facts. If you want to walk-on to a college team or make your high school team during try-outs you have to be in better shape than everyone else. You will be going up against some great athletes and if you are not in better shape you don't stand a chance. I have seen many examples of a good athlete in great shape---make a team--over a great athlete in poor condition.
How do you get in shape for try-outs? There are a couple of proven methods.
First...play in full-court pick-up games with the best competition you can find at least 3 times a week. Do this at least a month or two before try-outs start. This will help you get in basketball shape and help you work on your basketball instincts.
Second...run three miles a day a month before practice starts. Make sure it is a run or a fast jog so you can build up your stamina.
Third...run a 1-3 mile basketball hill or mountain a month or two before try-outs start. Don't go slow, jog as fast as you can. Make sure it is up-hill all the way. This is the best conditioning method period! You will not be able to make it up the mountain the first time. Every step is a workout. If you do this 3 times a week before try-outs you will be in better condition than anyone there. I guarantee it. This exercise will also test you courage
Be careful running down the mountain. I left a couple of my teeth on Squaw Peak Mountain in Phoenix Arizona!
Fourth...work on your lay-ups and jump-shot everyday for at least an hour. Set up your own routine. It doesn't have to be strenuous. But you have to develop a great touch. You are going to be doing a lot of full-court crazy eight drills and full-court 3-on-2 drills during try-outs. This will make sure you can make your lay-ups and pull-up jumpers at the free-throw line. In short--it will look to the coaches like you know what you are doing.
Stay tuned for more articles on how to shoot a basketball. That is my specialty.
Fifth...lifting weights is another awesome thing you can do before try-outs.
So there you have it. Five things you can do to give yourself the best chance of making your high school team or walking-on to a college team.
1.) Playing full-court pick-up games with good competition
2.) Run 3 miles a day
3.) Run a 1-3 mile long hill or mountain
4.) Practice lay-ups and jump-shots for at least 1 hour per day.
5.) Lift weights
Doing one of the first three and #4 is a must.
Doing #1, #3, and #4 will get you the most prepared. I know. I walked on to my college basketball team my freshman year and had a great four-year career.
In closing, these workouts give you the confidence you will need to make your high-
school team or walk on to a college team. It also shows the coaches that you are serious about making the team--this is unbelievably important to you. What your coaches think of you will determine if you make the team or not.
I have seen excellent athletes fail to make the team because they pulled a hamstring the first day of try-outs, or their puking their guts out after running a suicide drill, or they are too sore to hit a 15-foot jump-shot. If you do the things above this will not happen to you.
P.S. Make sure you also participate in any recommended workouts by your coaches or current team-
members
See you at the top!
Dave Z.
Visit http://www.JumpHigherSports.com for more tips and strategies on playing better basketball.
Dave Zalewski is a Peak Performance Coach. He uses his experience as a USPTA Tennis Pro , former College Basketball Player, and Multi-Million Dollar Realestate Agent to change peoples lives. He loves to help clients discover the time-tested principles that lead to lasting success. Stay tuned for more power packed articles.
