The following is an ESPN article written before the July 2012 recruiting period. The following list of areas players can improve on is not limited to high school players. College players need to improve on these areas as well. "Do your work early" is a phrase we like to use and that goes right along with shot preparation. Attacking the defense first without dribbling is something I firmly believe in. It makes me think back a few years to some of the very successful Villanova teams. They do a great job of teaching the jab series. All 5 guys they have on the court are threats to score because they work so hard on the jab series and in turn, giving guys the confidence they need to believe no matter where they catch the ball, they can beat their man. I spent some time with Ed Pinckney who played at Villanova and was an assistant there as well. Ed is now an assistant with the Chicago Bulls. Rebounding out of your area is something so few guys will do. Like it says, the truly great rebounders are the ones that go get the ball when it doesn't just fall in their lap.
Biggest things HS players need to improve on
July, 3, 2012
By Reggie Rankin | ESPN.com
Being a former college coach, I understand potential/upside but players have to be productive as well. The more productive you are, the more options you will have.
I had a conversation with Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman recently and if high school players can improve these areas of their games they will increase their overall production, which will also make them more attractive players to college coaches:
Shot preparation
So many high school players are not ready to shoot when they are open and receive the ball. Players need to be flexed with their hands and feet ready on the catch. Also, when coming off a screen, players are too upright. A general rule is to be as low as the screener's shoulder, show your hands to the passer and have your footwork organized (for example have your inside foot closest to the rim).
Attack the defense first without dribbling
Players need to add a series of jab steps, pivots and shot fakes before they dribble. Not only will this move the defender, but it will allow them to save their live dribble for attacking instead of figuring out their attack once they start dribbling, which is a complete waste.
Feed the low post
There is nothing that frustrates a low-post scorer more than a perimeter player who can't deliver him the ball when he is open. Perimeter players must understand they have to get a great passing angle and when the pass is being pressured, they must look to fake, be strong with ball, step through contact and deliver the ball to the post player on target.
Keep the ball high
When post players make a scoring move or rebound they must do a better job of not bringing the ball down and allow a smaller perimeter player to make a play. They need to be strong, keep the ball high and complete the play.
Scoring moves
Players need a go-to move and counter move from both low blocks and the high post. Post players need to develop four moves and work to extend their range to the high post and then build from there. Jump hooks, drop steps, up-and-unders, turn shots, face-and-shoot moves, face-and-attack moves -- have an answer for every defensive scheme.
Rebound out of their area
Many bigs are good area rebounders when the ball comes within reach. However, for a player to be considered a great rebounder he must be willing to maneuver through traffic, understand the angles on missed shots and run down every missed shot.
Players should keep these notes in mind to help them stand out during a pivotal July evaluation period.
I had a conversation with Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman recently and if high school players can improve these areas of their games they will increase their overall production, which will also make them more attractive players to college coaches:
Shot preparation
So many high school players are not ready to shoot when they are open and receive the ball. Players need to be flexed with their hands and feet ready on the catch. Also, when coming off a screen, players are too upright. A general rule is to be as low as the screener's shoulder, show your hands to the passer and have your footwork organized (for example have your inside foot closest to the rim).
Attack the defense first without dribbling
Players need to add a series of jab steps, pivots and shot fakes before they dribble. Not only will this move the defender, but it will allow them to save their live dribble for attacking instead of figuring out their attack once they start dribbling, which is a complete waste.
Feed the low post
There is nothing that frustrates a low-post scorer more than a perimeter player who can't deliver him the ball when he is open. Perimeter players must understand they have to get a great passing angle and when the pass is being pressured, they must look to fake, be strong with ball, step through contact and deliver the ball to the post player on target.
Keep the ball high
When post players make a scoring move or rebound they must do a better job of not bringing the ball down and allow a smaller perimeter player to make a play. They need to be strong, keep the ball high and complete the play.
Scoring moves
Players need a go-to move and counter move from both low blocks and the high post. Post players need to develop four moves and work to extend their range to the high post and then build from there. Jump hooks, drop steps, up-and-unders, turn shots, face-and-shoot moves, face-and-attack moves -- have an answer for every defensive scheme.
Rebound out of their area
Many bigs are good area rebounders when the ball comes within reach. However, for a player to be considered a great rebounder he must be willing to maneuver through traffic, understand the angles on missed shots and run down every missed shot.
Players should keep these notes in mind to help them stand out during a pivotal July evaluation period.
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