As much as I love watching And-1, that won't cut it at school. You can't turn the ball over that much and win. You can't travel, and you can't get away with crazy dribbling techniques...And although I love shakin' a playa' straight out his shoes, "it don't win games".

I am about winning. Basketball is about: going all out, leaving nothing on the court, sweat, blood, fundamentals, and guess what...

Winning!

How To Dominate The Basketball Court

What signifies a win?

...The highest score when you hear the last sound of that buzzer. Ahh, the sweet smell of victory.

Basketball is now, and always will be, won first by solid shooting, team defense, conditioning, getting to the free throw line and making them, staying out of foul trouble, taking shots when you have a good look, ball handling, putting more points on the board than the other team.

Every activity you do on the basketball court should:

1. Help you put more points on the board or
2. Keep the other team from putting more points on the board.

That's it!

If whatever you're doing isn't accomplishing one of those two simple tasks, then you are wasting your time.

Don't worry...When you do what you're suppose to do, you'll be shining already, and you'll get the opportunity to "show your stuff". Be patient. You'll get your recognition because you shut down a baller, or you put points up on the scoreboard.

Basketball Offensive Tips

Get in shape. There's no easier "bucket" than to wear out your opponent and go right past him/her because they were tired.

Learn to get as close to the basket as you can to take shots. Why? That's where the "easy money" is made. That's where you'll find your highest percentage of shots and where you'll get fouled, so you can get to the foul line.

Understand this: If the person guarding you is in foul trouble, they only have 3 choices.

1. Foul out
2. Lay back off of you
3. Put someone else in

That's a coaches nightmare. If you are a real hooper, you'll realize that means someone is in 'trouble'. Green light all day baby! Easy buckets.

Learn your offense. That's the quickest way to get benched...not to knowing what you are suppose to do, or where you are suppose to go.

Become a fundamental superstar. This alone can get you a scholarship to college.

1. Hit your free throws
2. Make your lay-ups
3. Play solid defense

Basketball Defensive Tips

Get in shape. This is the key to great defense. As you can see, this is the first tip in both the defensive and the offensive tips above. It's the most important thing to do. What good are you to a team, a coach, or yourself if you can't play hard when you are needed? Is it easier to play defense in the first quarter of a game or the last?

Why? One word...Fatigue. If you really want to frustrate an offensive player, and keep him/her limited or shut out of the game, get in great shape and be wherever they are with your hands up and feet ready to move the whole game long.

Learn to read the court and keep your eyes moving. There's nothing worse, as a defender, than to get caught "sleepin". So, stay "awake" in the game, be alert, and learn to see what is developing before, or as, it is developing. This will increase your reaction time and readiness for defending the play.