Training Tips for an Athlete

• Sleep 8-10 hours every night.

• Drink 16 ounces of water when you wake up.

• Drink a minimum of 2 quarts of water every day.

• Eat at least 3 times per day.

• Eat fruits every day.

• Eat vegetables every day.

• Maintain a consistent strength-training program.

• Maintain a consistent aerobic training program.

• Put pride and effort into everything you do.

Tips for Handling Interviews

• Be Cooperative:  If you make yourself available to the media, they will appreciate it and treat you well in return.

• Don't be Defensive:  Attitude is everything.  Stay calm and remain in control.

• Think Before You Answer:  Reporters are often in a hurry because of deadlines.  Don't feel rushed into giving quick answers.  Speak clearly and with the proper rhythm.

• Don't Trash the Opposition:  Give credit and show respect to your opponents.

• Avoid Saying "No Comment":  Saying "no comment" makes you look like you have something to hide.  You can find a diplomatic response to every question without providing specific details.

• Listen to the Question Carefully:  Make sure you understand the question before you answer it.  If you don't understand, ask the interviewer to repeat or rephrase the quesiton.

• If You Don't Know, Say So:  Talk about what you do know, don't talk about what you don't know.

• Body Language Counts:  Maintain good eye contact with the reporter -- don't worry about the camera.  Be confident, stand tall and keep your voice strong.

Things Every Guard Should Know

FEEDING THE POST

• Pass away from the defense to post player's far hand.  The pass should take him right into his shot.

• In the NBA, it is very important to be able to pass the ball with only one hand.  Bringing the second hand to the ball wastes valuable time delivering the ball.

ATTACKING YOUR DEFENDER

• Read the defender's front foot to distinguish a vulnerable side.

• Ball fake to freeze the defensive man.

• Make him honor your first step/jab and attack his foot.

• Push the first dribble out and extend the first step (cover ground).

• Drive by the defender body-to-body to prevent him from recovering.

BALLHANDLING AND DECISION MAKING IN TRANSITION

• Push the ball up the floor into scoring area every time (make or miss).

• Determine if you have a numbers advantage in transition:
     2 or less defenders back = Primary Break  (immediate shot)
     3 or more defenders back = Secondary Break

EXPLODE TO THE RIM

• If you decide to take the ball to the basket, you must use only one dribble in the lane to get to the rim.  Once you enter the paint you cover ground and explode to the rim.

                                                       - from Lenny Wilkins, NBA Hall of Fame Player and Coach

A ten year study of 3,500 NCAA Division I games revealed

• 25% of all points scored in a basketball game are free throws.

• 35% of all points in the last five minutes of the game are free throws.

• 67%  of all points in the last minute by the winning team are free throws.

Tips for Feeding the Post

• Have confidence and coverage to feed the post.
   

• Know how and where the defense is playing the post.
     - High side, behind, baseline or fronting
   

• Know passing angles.
     - Take the ball away from the post defender
   

• Look for the target hand.
     - Target hand can be high or low
   

• "Fake a pass, make a pass."
     - Fake a pass before delivering the ball.
     - Don't telegraph the pass to the defense.
   

• Read the helpside defense.
     - Don't put the post player into a bad situation.
     - Look for the skip pass versus sagging defenses.
   

• Give the post player a second look.
     - Dribble away, then reverse dribble and feed the post on the second attempt.
   

• Following a post feed, move to an open area.
     - Do not stand still, move after you pass the ball.