“Live” Period Tips
Over the last few weeks you’ve likely seen a few small college programs at each of your games, but this weekend is the first “Live” period of the 2019 grassroots season, and everyone comes out. It’s an exciting time, as most of the colleges in your region will be represented at your event, and players take it up a notch and play with as much of a sense of urgency as they ever had. But just like you can gain exposure to those college programs, your weaknesses can also be exposed. Below are a handful of suggestions/tips I have picked up over the years based on numerous conversations with college coaches, so I wanted to pass them along.
BODY LANGUAGE
The very first thing college coaches do when they arrive to your game is see what you look like. Your height, your weight, your length…those are what they are at this point, they are quantifiable measurables, and you can’t affect them in that moment. However, you are in complete control of your body language, and it must be consistent. This has become a hot-button topic for coaches recently, because they want to know that you (1) enjoy the game and are passionate about it, (2) are engaged and aware, and (3) you are projecting the sense of a good teammate and a coachable player.
EFFORT & SENSE OF URGENCY
The next step is to make sure you are playing with effort and a sense of urgency at all times. Listen, everyone at the next level, at least in successful programs, plays at a high level. You have to prove you can give a “next level” effort on each possession. Up big/down big, are you willing to dive on the floor, take a charge, rebound out of your area, and play in a stance? You can’t control which possessions a college coach gets to see of your game, so you need to make sure there aren’t any bad possessions from an effort standpoint. Additionally, please understand what a sense of urgency means. It’s one thing to play hard and run fast, but are you treating each possession as if it matters? Sometimes it’s not about playing harder; it’s simply about treating each possession with determination.
COMMUNICATION
This is an incredibly important trait for coaches, and it’s an underappreciated skill by players. Communication is a conditioned response, so if you’ve always done it, you’re likely going to continue doing it this weekend. However, if you aren’t a great communicator, it needs to be on your mind. You don’t need to go over the top with it, but make sure you are talking to your coach, asking questions, and listening. Make sure you are saying something to a teammate or teammates during ALL dead balls. And make sure you are pointing and talking when you are transitioning from offense to defense. This isn’t complicated, just say what you see and what you know, and don’t be the “cool kid” and remain silent. This does not go unnoticed. Ever.
TALENT / SKILL / BASKETBALL IQ
Everyone talks about body language, effort, etc., to some extent, but I rarely hear anyone advise prospects of these three items. Some players are more talented, some are more skilled, and some just play with more intelligence. Know who you are and what you are capable of. Stay in your lane, accentuate your strengths, and shy away from your weaknesses.
Talent – If you are fast, run by your opponent in transition both directions. If you can jump, then explode whenever you jump. Don’t just do enough to get by. If you are blessed with physical characteristics that make you different than other players, make sure you show that to its fullest. Talent can earn scholarship opportunities much quicker than skill or productivity.
Skill – If you aren’t a high-percentage shooter, now isn’t the time to take a lot of jump-shots. It’s better for a college coach to not be sure if you can shoot and appreciate your shot selection, than to know you can’t shoot when you miss a lot of shots. It’s also not the time to break out some new dribble move you’ve just started working on that needs more practice reps. I’m not saying be basic, but do what you know best and are most comfortable with. If you are comfortable, your play will be more consistent and productive.
Basketball IQ – Can you think the game? Now isn’t the time to make the highlight play and “wow” the crowd. The only “crowd” you need to worry about are college coaches. They want to see discipline, understanding, and the willingness to make the high percentage play every possession. This doesn’t mean be passive. Stay aggressive, and mistakes will happen regardless, but if you have two (or more) choices in a given situation, lean towards the higher percentage choice.
PARENT BEHAVIOR
I say this all the time…parents get kids crossed off college lists faster than kids get themselves crossed off. Coaches will almost always give a prospect a couple of chances to prove themselves. They rarely give an obnoxious parent that chance. Don’t get me wrong, coaches aren’t out hunting down your parents. Sometimes they ask who your parents are, but in most cases they simply notice an obnoxious parent and then ask who their kid is because they want to stay away from them. The parents who stand and sit constantly, pace nonstop, throw their hands in the air on every play/call, yell at officials, yell at their kid, or yell at the coaches, they get noticed the quickest. As a parent, it is best if you go unnoticed, like a good official. You are going to be evaluated the most if you stand out. This time isn’t about you, it’s about the prospects getting recruited.
SOCIAL MEDIA
I’ll end with this point, and I realize everyone hits on social media, but if a college coach comes to watch you and likes you, what do you think they’ll do next? They are going to research who you are. What’s the easiest way? They will contact your travel coach and your high school coach, sure, but they will also search for you on social media. Everyone talks about making sure the content is appropriate, and I won’t shy away from that. Obviously, make sure there are no inappropriate pictures or comments, make sure you aren’t retweeting anyone else (famous or otherwise) who has inappropriate pictures, comments, or language, and if you aren’t sure, then ask an adult or even lock your accounts temporarily until you can audit them and weed out the questionable content…and that goes for all content from the moment you opened that account, not just recent content.
What I really wanted to touch on in regards to social media, though, is what you say about the team and your coaches during this time. Make sure you DO NOT highlight yourself. Don’t post your stats or highlights. Let someone else do that for you (i.e. your high school or travel coach). Feel free to “like” that stuff though and thank them online. Be sure to make “we” and “us” comments after a game/weekend and not “I” and “me” comments. Only show support online, not critique about others. And parents, make sure you follow these tips as well. Your social media will also be explored. Go to the games to support your team, not your child, and post on social media with the same intent of supporting the team, not just your child. It’s all about a first impression.
At the end of the day, this is a “job interview”. There will be several “employers” in the crowd this weekend considering you for a “4-year position” with their “company”. Would you go to a real job interview in sweats and a t-shirt hanging out? Would you act inappropriately and use language at that interview? Would you slouch in the office chair while they’re interviewing you? No? Then why not put forth the best first impression you can this weekend? There are likely going to be more than 1000 prospects at your tournament this weekend. Now, imagine there are 100 tournaments like this spread throughout the country. How do you stand out from 100,000 people? Good luck, have fun, and go earn yourself a college opportunity!!!