| There are many ingredients that are required to | | | | 3. Steve Nash has been the NBA's MVP for the |
| become a solid basketball player. The total player | | | | past two seasons because he knows how to play |
| is a combination of knowledge, skill, and work | | | | and has an incredible desire for the game. You |
| ethic. Today's player often looks for a short cut | | | | won't see him on the list of great leapers anytime |
| along the way. Ask any good player at the college | | | | soon. |
| level about short cuts and they'll laugh at you. Yet, | | | | 4. According to fans of the game, leaping ability |
| many players get trapped into gimmicks that | | | | will enhance rebounding and shot blocking ability. |
| promise great results. One of these is increasing | | | | This is a fallacy. Great rebounders will tell you that |
| your ability to jump. Unfortunately, every second | | | | position, balance and lower body strength are the |
| spent on become a fantastic leaper will rob you | | | | keys to getting the ball around the basket. Charles |
| from being the player you need to be. | | | | Barkley proved that for years at Auburn and in |
| One fundamental truth has remained the same | | | | the NBA. The art of shot blocking is one of the |
| for many years and is very evident today. There | | | | most overrated skills a player could have because |
| is one and only one path to becoming a good | | | | most blocked shots end up out of bounds. |
| basketball player. Hard work! This truth has been | | | | 5. Developing into a good player is still about |
| proved over and over for the past century and | | | | passing, dribbling, and shooting. If this is the case, |
| remains a proven template for basketball players. | | | | why does todays player work so much on |
| Young people are besieged by products, gimmicks | | | | dunking the basketball. |
| and advertising that proclaim secrets to success. | | | | What is most disturbing about young players is |
| Our society as a whole would rather use the | | | | their inability to grasp the true elements of the |
| drive up window to pick up dinner than get out of | | | | game that need attention daily. If a young man |
| the car. Our world attempts to take every task | | | | wants to increase his jumping ability I'm all for it. |
| and make it easier. Certainly there are benefits of | | | | Too often, though, it comes at the expense of |
| the microwave oven and more efficient cars. The | | | | working on the fundamentals of the game. Good |
| problem lies in an athlete's approach to athletic | | | | players have balance and have mastered the |
| success as they grow up in this fast food world. | | | | pivot. They can handle the ball in every game |
| I am often amused by the ads for jumping shoes | | | | situation without turnovers. They don't leave the |
| or machines. These ads claim incredible results and | | | | floor to pass and make sure passes that arrive |
| rapid increase in vertical jump. I don't doubt that | | | | safely at their destination. Shooting is worked on |
| these products and claims are legitimate and | | | | daily hundreds of shots at a time. The good |
| sound. What strikes me about it is that jumping is | | | | player is a devoted viewer of video tape to |
| one of dozens of skills a player must have to | | | | critically analyze his own game and how it can be |
| excel or just to reach his potential. Of these | | | | improved. Footwork is an anchor for all good |
| dozens of skills, I would rate explosive jumping | | | | players and must be worked on daily. Reading |
| ability at the bottom of the list. | | | | screens, penetrating, sealing to rebound, cutting, |
| The following list will explain why players waste | | | | and communication are cornerstones of the game. |
| their time pursuing the goal to be a great jumper. | | | | Players become good because they have a game |
| 1. Joey Johnson is a household name in basketball, | | | | plan and put that plan in action. Hard work is the |
| isn't he? No, of course he isn't. In fact, I doubt | | | | only thing between any player and the end result. |
| whether you've ever heard of him. I saw video | | | | Today, just being a good high school player does |
| of Joey in high school and he is probably the | | | | not guarantee a college scholarship. Hundreds of |
| greatest leaper in the history of high school and | | | | excellent, hard working players are passed up |
| college basketball. His problem was that jumping | | | | every year for the opportunity to play in college. |
| defined his game and led to average ball skills, | | | | If your goal is to become the best high school |
| knowledge, and shooting ability. Show me a player | | | | player you can be, then go for it. If college |
| who is described as a great leaper and I'll bet the | | | | basketball is your desire, set a goal and persevere |
| rest of his game is lacking. | | | | until your goal is reached. Work only on the skills |
| 2. In my 18 year college coaching career I | | | | that will truly make you better. Avoid the quick |
| recruited hundreds of players. Not one of them | | | | fix method to basketball success. The temptation |
| was recruited because of his jumping ability. | | | | is there for those who are not willing to work for |
| Unfortunately, I saw many players who could | | | | their goals and dreams. Stay true to yourself and |
| jump but could not play and never made it to the | | | | work your dream everyday. |
| college basketball arena. | | | | |