Byron’s Takeaways From Live Period: Tips and Hints

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">This past weekend was the second to last live period of the summer, and while I wasn't there in person, I caught a strong number of games via live stream. Here are 5 quick tips I think will help prospects, not just for the final stretch, but for how they're evaluated moving forward. These are the little things coaches actually notice and often make the difference.</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OFF-BALL MOVEMENT: </strong>Unless you are a 5-star recruit going to a mid-major program, or an outright scoring guard, or the perfect point guard, the chances of you being the focal point of your teams offense are slim to none. Understanding how to be effective without the ball in your hand is one of the best skill sets that will keep you on the court. Cutting when you sense your defender not paying attention, relocating when you see the defense start to shift, being aware when the defense isn't on the same page, and how quickly you make a decision when you do recieve the ball. All of these things are key and can't be overlooked.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>INTUITION</strong>: Instincts on the court are non-negotiable, especially if you are hoping to play at the D1 level, but I believe if you have you have chemistry and a pure understanding of what your coach wants before they know what they want, you put yourself in a different category of trust. Trust brings minutes, minutes bring opportunities. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAY WITH EMOTION, DON'T BE EMOTIONAL:</strong> At some point, using passion as an excuse for why your body language is bad, or why you're negatively speaking to teammates or coaches, will phase out. No matter who you are, you can get replaced, and knowing the line between playing with emotion and being emotional will be key. You miss a shot, get over it. You turn the ball over, blame yourself ALWAYS, but if it was truly at the mistake of a teammate, ask what happened and explain what happened on your end. Same with the coach. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CONFIDENCE: </strong>Confidence can be loud, and confidence can be silent, but confidence can never be faked. You're confident when you know you've prepared, and you're confident when you have been in certain situations that are happening again, and if you failed, you know what to do to succeed, and if you succeeded first, then you know what you need to do again or do better to replicate that. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>STAY A SPONGE:</strong> Being a sponge is necessary, but staying one even when you feel you know it all is key. Find ways to get an upper hand in this game, whether it's talking with referees after the game to know what they are looking for when they're making calls, talking with opposite coaches to know how they're scouting you so you know what counters to add, talk with opponnents to see how they were looking to guard you.. You can learn and add so much to your game from people who aren't in your corner every day. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->