Every young basketball player will make mistakes. Nobody's perfect and mistakes are a natural part of learning, improving, and achieving our goals, but there are some very common mistakes that young basketball players make quite regularly and can hurt their chances of making the team, getting a scholarship, or even being drafted into the NBA!
Here are some of the most common mistakes that young basketball players should look to avoid.
Avoiding Fundamentals
The fundamentals are just that; fundamental. Every great basketball player starts by mastering the supposedly simple skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting.
Trick shots and flashy skills may look better on social media or highlight reels, but these are just a tiny part of the overall game and the very best players will be able to do the simple stuff perfectly every time.
The fundamentals will form the foundation of every great player so make sure that you're focusing on the basics like dribbling, passing, shooting, defense, and positioning first and foremost before moving on to more complicated skills.
There are plenty of great reasons to get your kids into basketball, but they have to remember that they'll have to start with the fundamentals like everybody else!
Being Impatient
Patience is a virtue and becoming an excellent basketball player takes time and a lot of hard work. Impatience is why players would rather try to do some tricks rather than master the fundamentals since the former actually takes less time.
Impatience can lead to players moving onto new techniques before they've really got to grips with what they're working on and this can lead to poor development and players who are actually mediocre at the most important aspects of the game.
Take your time, be methodical, and don't worry if progress seems slow because it'll actually pay off further down the line.
Choosing the Wrong Shots
Basketball is a mental game as much as it is a physical game and you need to be constantly thinking for the entirety of every game.
Choosing the wrong shots is an example of an impatient player who isn't thinking clearly. Choosing low-percentage shots instead of working towards a better opportunity can cost teams games and is the hallmark of a bad player.
Naturally, kids won't be excellent at this as soon as they start playing, but shot choice is an important part of the game that's often overlooked by younger players.
Going without Coaching
Natural talent will only take you so far and any kid that shows talent should be encouraged to develop that talent through coaching.
Without coaching, a player's full potential will never be realized. Talent is developed through hard work, the right drills, the right diet, and even the right motivation, which are all things that a good coach can provide them with.
While there are plenty of resources online to help, without coaching, a player runs the risk of picking up bad habits and improper techniques and ultimately ruining their chances to improve as they'll waste time having to unlearn everything they taught themselves.
Having a Bad Attitude
A quick way for a good player to lose their place on the team is by having a bad attitude. A bad attitude will put coaches off, especially if this attitude ends up costing the team games, ruins the chemistry between the other players, or makes every training session less effective.
The best players have an excellent attitude towards hard work, playing the game, listening to their coaches, and working with their teammates.
For players without a team, a good attitude can help you stand out against other players who may have more natural talent or technique, especially if the coach can see you being a more valuable member of the team. One of the best ways to make the basketball team is by showing the coaching staff that you're a good player to have both on and off the court.
Ignoring Defense
Offense is what makes the highlight reels and what comes with a lot of the glory, which is why young players are drawn to it.
Great shots, buzzer beaters, and all the offensive parts of play are what many young players are interested in, but defense plays as much a part of winning games as scoring baskets.
Good players need to understand both offense and defense, but the latter is often ignored by younger players. The best young players will understand and appreciate the importance of both phases of play.
Irregular Practice
Practice makes perfect, as they say, and the very best players practice a lot. Kids and young players may need to be encouraged to practice basketball as much as they should, but it'll make all the difference in games and also teach them discipline.
Getting young players to practice is even more difficult when it's clear they're naturally gifted or have an aptitude for basketball, but regular practice can provide them with more structure as well as improved performance on the court.
You can improve your basketball shot with simple repeated practice and the same goes for most other skills. Don't underestimate the power of routine and muscle memory.
Making the Same Mistakes Repeatedly
Some players, especially those who believe themselves to be very good, might be less willing to listen to feedback from their coaches and even less willing to work towards correcting their mistakes.
An otherwise good player who constantly makes the same mistakes over and over is a sign of a player who may find it harder to develop.
Later on in their playing career, this might be exactly what holds them back, especially if they end up playing at higher levels where places on teams are far more competitive.
Players need to be open to feedback and willing to work on themselves to become better basketball players.
Overworking
In all sports, rest is incredibly important. Basketball players need to work hard, but they can't constantly work hard without a break.
Rest is important after training and after games as it allows the body to recover, but it's also important for their development as we're far more capable of learning when we're well-rested.
Young players shouldn't overload their schedule with basketball and even though they should regularly practice, they should also have regular rest days to allow their bodies and minds to recover from all the hard work they put in.
Relying too much on Natural Ability
Naturally talented players may find themselves taking their foot off the gas in terms of their training, practice, or even playing.
Natural ability will only take you so far and talented players will reach their potential by working just as hard as any other player on the team.
Don't think that just because you're good at basketball or better than the other players on your team it'll be enough. You need to work hard, study the game, and be a valuable member of the team.
Skipping Conditioning
Naturally gifted basketball players may have the technique, but as they get older, the physical aspect of the game will become more important. Basketball players need to work on their conditioning to ensure that they perform just as well towards the end of games.
Conditioning is also important because it can help players avoid injuries and if there's one thing that will harm your development as a basketball player, it's injuries.
Style over Substance
Basketball tricks and flashy skills might look cool and impress spectators, but the most important thing in basketball is always going to be the score.
There's a time and a place for flashy moves, but young players need to focus on being effective players. Focus on moves that work rather than moves that look good.
Coaches can see through tricks and some care very little about them if they don't result in effective play.
Underestimating the Importance of Free Throws
Free throws are easy to practice and can make the difference in close games. While practicing them probably isn't as fun or exciting as playing basketball, many young players neglect it even though it's something that could change the outcomes of games.
In the NBA, for example, there are around 20 free throws a game and while open-play baskets will make up a much greater number of points in a game because there are more opportunities for them, free throws are high-percentage shots that you can practice at any time.
Working without Goals
Young players should enjoy playing basketball, but it's important to set goals. These don't need to be incredibly ambitious targets, but they should always be working towards something so that there's some structure.
Consider setting achievable short-term and long-term goals and regularly tracking your progress. You can always adapt your goals if they're too easy or difficult.
If you or your child needs help with basketball, training, or physical fitness, don't forget that choosing the right private basketball coach is one of the most effective way to improve.
There are private basketball coaches for all levels and budgets on the Superprof website and you can compare their profiles, and rates before you get in touch with them. It's always a good idea to shortlist a few potential candidates before you start contacting potential coaches.
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