Keep It Simple

People say basketball is often compared to life. When you take care of the simple things, life gets better. If you keep the game simple, it gets easier.

What I have learned about basketball is that the game's fundamentals are constantly repeated on offense and defense. Let’s take the drop step, for example. This is one of the first offensive skills taught. Most of the time, this is utilized by players who play with their backs to the basket, but guards also use it all the time. When guards are on the perimeter or driving to the basket, they use spin moves to get by the defense. They also use the drop step. It may look cooler, but it’s the same move. So, repeatedly working on this technique makes sense; the better you get at it, the more effective you are.

Passing the ball: as vital as it is, most players don’t practice it. The two-hand chest passes and overhead passes are probably the two most. Most players can’t correctly throw them. You see kids throwing behind-the-back passes that lead to turnovers all the time. When you make the simple pass, the game rewards you!

Three ways to keep the game simple

1. Only use what is needed to get the job done.

2. Play fundamentally sound.

3. Learn patterns that are consistently used to help you slow down.