Back in college one of my assistant coaches used to always say "Luck is when hard work meets opportunity. The harder you work the more opportunities will come your way." It took me a while to process that statement because being a typical young person I thought I knew everything. What was this short guy with thinning hair driving a red Ford Escort talking about? I had several more opportunities to learn from that coach since he was in charge of the scout team and as a freshman I was playing behind someone who was first team all-league and averaging 19 points a game. BTW, he was only one year ahead of me. As I toiled on the scout team learning from the guy who looked like Bronson Pinchot I worked harder than I ever worked but still only managed to get spot minutes when the MVP was tired or in foul trouble. For my efforts and continued dedication I did manage to earn a catchy nickname which I still use to this day. I made it through the season because we won the league championship and I was happy to be along for the ride. When the dust finally settled I realized that next season I would be in the exact same place unless I did something radically different. Spring came and I woke up every morning to run sprints, I lifted weights, put a stick in the gym door so I could come back at night and shoot jumpers and work on my game. Later that summer I learned the coach with the Ford Escort who would sleep at the gym, do all our game preparation, run study hall, and find time to teach me some of the same drills I teach you guys to this day...He was leaving for the NBA!!! What that lucky son of.....then it hit me.....He was the first one in the gym, the last to leave, the most meticulous when it came to preparation. Why wouldn't somebody want him as a coach in the NBA? From that day on I remembered that "luck is when hard work meets opportunity." I got lucky myself the following year when I came into camp in the best shape of my life and the MVP decided not to. He would eventually run into injuries and some academic issues. The head coach tried to recruit over me but being true to my mantra I kept working hard and the new recruit with the perfect jump-shot couldn't score on me in practice and couldn't seem to find his jumper in the games. This starting job will be mine until I leave, and it was along with being named team captain and helping the team win 2 league championships. I hope someone else reading this will take the same approach and seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Be dominant in practice, finish first in sprints, come early, stay late, be vocal and the emotional leader when the team is down. Work hard when no-one is watching and when the opportunity presents itself jump all over it and never look back. Thanks for that lesson Coach Van Gundy...
Priceless
New Air Jordan's $175
Basketball Camp 3 weeks and still no jumper $1,350
Fees for Uncertified and Unqualified Trainers $2,500
Money spent on Junk Food at the concession stand during AAU Tournaments $1,500
The frustrated look on your face sitting on the bench when you realize that you should have put alot more time and effort into your off-season training regimen and followed the drills and exercises that I've offered you through blogs, videos and workouts.
10 Speed Ladder Drills to Do Before You Start Practice
- Ali-Shuffle
- Zig-Zag Mogules
- Lateral Trail Whip
- Slalom Forward
- Hop-Scotch
- Brake Runs
- Ankle Bounce Forward
- Turn-In Forward
- Carioca
- Crazy Climb
You Can Purchase a Speed Ladder Here
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