Predicting the future…

How to develop Anticipation Skills

How are your anticipation skills?
What happens next?

The world of sports is teeming with a myriad of physical and mental talents. Among these, one invaluable trait shared by the greatest athletes is the ability to anticipate future outcomes—an aptitude to predict what’s coming next and respond accordingly.

Much like the legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky, who talked about “skating to where the puck would be,” basketball players can use anticipation to always be “one step ahead.”

The beauty of anticipation lies in its two-fold benefits. Firstly, it provides a significant edge during a game, allowing players to read the opponent’s moves, adapt, and position themselves better. Secondly, it empowers the mental fortitude of an athlete, fostering a winning mindset and confidence that fuels success on and off the court.

How to see the future…
Know where to look

In basketball, an opponent’s eyes often give away the direction of their next action without them even knowing they are doing it. Face-guarding is a good example of this. By tracking the eyes of your opponent, you can often see when the ball is coming toward them since most people track the ball with their eyes and follow the arc of the ball. In other words, they look UP when the ball is coming. This is the point when you need to take action, turn toward the incoming ball and intercept the pass.

Eyes and Feet:
Know what to look for.

Aside from your opponent’s eyes, you can also get information based on their footwork (where are going to go) as well as the way they handle the ball (is it on the right or left side?). These hints can tell you what they are most likely going to do.

Take Action:
Seeing is worthless without Action.

Knowing what someone will do is worthless without doing something about it. You could challenge the movement or intercept the pass. In any case, if you anticipate what’s going to happen and do nothing, it’s effectively the same as not knowing.

Observe at all times:
Practice observation skills.

When you are sitting on the bench, pay close attention to players that you may encounter when you get in the game. How do they move? Do they have any habits that you can manipulate so they “give” you an advantage?

You can improve your “observation skills” in practice whether you are scrimmaging or just doing drills. Instead of just standing around between your turns doing drills, focus on one player on your team and see if you can predict what they will do next. What’s their favorite move? How could you predict when they will use it ? (Or what could you do to cause them to use it?)

Observation is like many other skills… it gets better the more you use it.

Anticipation – Timing and Rhythm:
When will it happen?

As you observe your target opponent, take a mental note of their timing and the rhythm that they use when performing “their move”. As a defender, if you can disrupt their rhythm, it’s very likely that they will commit an offensive foul or at least be uncomfortable if they force up a shot. Pay attention to what they do over and over again. Do they always spin a certain way when they dribble into traffic? Do they always cross over to their other hand when you challenge them at a certain spot on the floor?

Video examples of defensive anticipation…
Link to Youtube video… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz_GyEf9eBM

Rules and Mechanics:
The ref’s can help you win!

The power of anticipation is also closely linked with a profound understanding of the game’s rules and mechanics. By mastering the fundamentals of basketball, players can better predict the game’s flow, ascertaining when to make critical moves such as stealing a pass, blocking a shot, or positioning for a rebound.

For example, does your opponent always take the ball out of bounds the same way? With the same type of pass to the same person? Can you position yourself such that they do not see you as a threat but you can still steal the ball?

Drills that simulate particular situations such as sideline out of bounds, baseline out of bounds or a trapping defense are another effective way to nurture your anticipation skills. These practice drills, mirroring actual game situations, can help athletes predict outcomes and react swiftly under pressure. Simulations also encourage players to utilize their instinct, another critical aspect of anticipation. Once you know where the next pass is going to go, it’s a relatively simple task to figure out a way to steal the ball.

Be Ready:
Are You Physically Prepared

Achieving and maintaining physical fitness plays an underrated role in fostering anticipation. The faster and more agile a player, the better they can implement their anticipatory decisions. High-level fitness allows a more efficient execution of anticipated moves, creating more opportunities for scoring and defending. Are you ready to act on the future actions that you see developing?

Lastly, anticipation also hinges on mental strength. As you know if you follow this blog on a regular basis or have heard Coach Wheeler speak at your basketball camp, developing a winning mindset demands resilience, focus, and confidence. It requires the willpower to take calculated risks based on predicted outcomes plus the knowledge that your team will back you up when the risky action doesn’t pay off. And it’s this mindset that often distinguishes an exceptional player from a good one… and a good team from a great one.

Anticipation is more than just a skill; it’s a potent combination of observation, understanding, practice, physical fitness, and a winning mindset. It’s the ability to see the future in the present, to analyze and execute with precision. For the aspiring basketball player, cultivating anticipation isn’t just about being one step ahead, it’s about establishing a foundation for success, equipping oneself with a competitive edge that transcends the boundaries of the court.

Finally…

Remember, basketball, like life, is a game of anticipation. It’s about expecting the unexpected, pre-empting the next move, and consistently striving for excellence. As Wayne Gretzky aptly stated, “skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” Anticipate your future, and be prepared to meet it head-on.

Some Books Related to this article…

Anticipate: The Art of Leading by Looking Ahead” by Rob-Jan de Jong
This book provides insight into how leaders can adopt forward-thinking approaches to anticipate the future and make effective decisions, a concept that can be applied to anticipating in sports.

“Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence” by Gary Mack and David Casstevens
Offers practical psychological strategies to boost mental stamina and enhance athletic performance. It dives into the importance of mental fortitude and visualization, essential for athletes building anticipation skills.

“Thinking Basketball” by Ben Taylor
A guide that challenges traditional basketball wisdom, prompting players to think about the game more deeply. It emphasizes the role of game intelligence in basketball.

“Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable” by Tim S. Grover
Authored by the legendary trainer of athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, this book explores what it takes to excel in sports, emphasizing mental fortitude and a winning mindset.

“The Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive” by Jim Afremow
This book explores how the mental game influences athletic performance. It emphasizes the importance of anticipation, resilience, and a winning mindset.


Inspirational Quotes related to this article…

“The key to the future lies in the ability to anticipate it.” – Deepak Chopra

“What counts isn’t the frame, it’s what you put in it.” – Otto Preminger, highlighting the importance of content (or action) over structure (or planning).

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan, emphasizing resilience.

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan, referring to the power of visualization.

“Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.” – Kobe Bryant

“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.” – Aristotle (via “The Big Aristotle”, Shaquille O’Neal)

“Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.” – Michael Jordan, encouraging athletes to love the game and find joy in playing.

“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

“If you want to look good in front of thousands, you have to outwork thousands in front of nobody.” – Damian Lillard, discussing the value of practice.

Please leave comment below and let Coach Wheeler know what you thought about this article.

Working the Pick & Roll

When you run a play, are you “going through the motions” of setting a pick in a certain location (because coach told you to)? Or do you know how to make a pick and roll really work?

Too often I see players who either don’t know they are not working the Pick & Roll correctly or they just don’t care. This is not a problem for just middle school players. The video below features some of the best players in the NBA along with one of the best coaches in the game and while the tips that are offered are important and helpful, the last example shows a glaring problem that happens at all levels of basketball (even with the NBA players in the video).

Did you see what was wrong with the last Pick and Roll in the video?

The player setting the pick let the defense get past him and he rolled too late. Once the player setting the pick makes contact with the ball handler’s defender, he should take control of the interaction, pivot around the ball handler’s defender and get the defender on his back.

Important note… The pivot by the player setting the pick should be in the direction of the ball so you can see where the ball is and what the ball handler is doing. Many players think they can make a quicker move by “slipping” towards the basket but they also loose sight of the ball handler when they do it. They are also giving up the positional advantage that they can get by pivoting around the ballhandler’s defender.

Check out this video that shows a number of ways to “Use a Pick”….

Mistakes by defense? Or great decisions by offense?

Can a Pick and Roll work every time? With every combination of offensive players and defensive players? Probably not but it can work most of the time if, as an offensive player, you understand the opportunities presented to you during a Pick and Roll and can take advantage of them.

If you want to be part of the Pick and Roll conversation, please comment below …

What was missed in this article? Do you have questions about how to work the Pick and Roll? What did you like about this article? Is there some aspect that you would like to see demonstrated on video? Any comments you have are greatly appreciated … just know that only the polite (non-spam) comments will be published on this page for all to see. Join the conversation!

Tai Chi for Sports

Ancient Warrior Movement Protocol (tm)We just announced the first “Ancient Warrior Movement Protocol (TM)” workshop that will show you how to use Tai Chi for Sports performance improvement! It will be held at the Marlborough School on Sunday, June 17th (Father’s Day) from 5:30-6:30pm. Doors open at 5pm.

Click on the picture to the right to see the flyer with more information. You can signup for the event on the new CoachWheeler Facebook Page (be sure to “Like” the page when you visit too).

As a bit of a preview for the upcoming session, we found this Tai Chi for Sports Performance video on YouTube…

The video above is geared toward Soccer (not basketball) and is not the featured instructor for our upcoming Ancient Warrior Movement Protocol ™ session. The video does provide a couple of good ideas that will help prevent injuries while giving athletes a competitive advantage.

The Ancient Warrior Protocol training session will feature Linda Peck who is a certified Tai Chi instructor and 2nd degree black belt in the martial arts version of Tai Chi. She has worked with athletes ranging from football to tennis player and even runners.

Hope to see you at the Ancient Warrior training session ! It will be an interesting workout that will introduce beginners to the concept of Tai Chi for Sports. All are welcome. Sign up today!

 

Tai Chi for Basketball – TOP SECRET program coming

Swish-Warriors WinCoach Wheeler is working on a TOP SECRET new workout protocol that is like nothing you have ever seen or experienced.  Coach is hoping to launch it, or at least do some initial tests of the movement protocols, this summer.   Hint: The new workout will be related to and use some of the principles of Tai Chi. Speaking of which, did you know that there are different versions of Tai Chi including a martial art similar to aikido which teaches you how to use your opponent’s force against them? Imagine what that could do for your moves on the basketball court. Basketball is a “contact” game after all !

One more thing…

Did you know that Tai Chi is often used in training for mixed martial arts (MMA) to “enhance…sensitivity and mental focusing skills.”? How about the fact that Tai Chi helps with the physical and emotional balance necessary for many sports?  Or that Tai Chi increases leg strength and joint flexibility which improve balance? [source]

Stay Tuned!  More info. coming soon!

While you are waiting…

Be sure to sign up for our email notification service so you will get an email when new articles and announcements are added to this blog. The signup process consists of two steps. First you input your email on this site and then you get a confirmation email from us. The second step is when you click on the confirmation link so you are officially on our email list. Of course you can unsubscribe at any time, but with all the great info on this blog you won’t want to.

One more “Tai Chi for Basketball Players” bonus…

Basketball star of the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry, picks up Tai Chi while on tour in China… check out the video below.

If you have made it this far…

Coach Wheeler likes to reward his readers who make it to the bottom of an article, even a short one like this announcement… so here is an added bonus. The video below is super short and while most of the Tai Chi that is shown is not something that you would use directly on a basketball court during a game, it is still pretty cool. Enjoy!

 

 

HUSTLE – It sets you apart.

At the InviteOnly 2017 PreSeason Basketball Camp held last weekend at Keene State College, I gave a brief impromptu “speech” about the topic of “Hustle” and how it can set you apart from other players trying out for your team.

Based on the reception of that speech about the importance of hustling, I figured it might be a good topic for a post on this blog as well. Clearly Hustling is tied to your mental toughness because, for most players, it does come naturally… at first. Once you start to hustle, you will find that it will become easier. You will have to think about it at first but eventually it will become automatic. You just have to make the decision to start NOW!

What is “Hustle”?

Hustling is the act of “not waiting for things to happen” but rather doing whatever it takes to “make things happen”. It is all about increasing the pace that you do things.

Why does Hustle matter?

Hustling is visible. It tells your team mates that what you are doing is important and can’t wait. It tells your coach that you are enthusiastic about being on the team and, to a certain extent, that you are a hard worker. As a player who hustles, it is clear that you are putting in an extra effort… and coaches love to see that.

Hustling builds confidence. You might not notice it, but as you are hustling, you are getting results FASTER than others. It is like you are winning a race against people who don’t even know that there is a race going on. With time, your “hustle habit” will give you confidence both in the areas where you develop skills as well as areas you have not even tried. Why? Because you will know that HUSTLE WORKS.

Hustling gives you a head start. You arrive early while others show up at the last minute. Since you have more time to become accustomed to whatever situation you find yourself in, you have more time to take [a better] action. All because you hustled while others took their own sweet time. Why do you think that “the early bird gets the worm”?

Where should I be Hustling?

You should hustle in any area of your life that you want to achieve superior results. People who hustle in business get more done and make more money. People who hustle in school get better grades and get into better colleges. People who hustle in relationships show how important these relationships are to them.

What is important to you?

hustle NOWWant to improve your chances of making the team?
Start Hustling.

Want to improve the likelihood that you will get more minutes in the game?
Start Hustling.

If something is important to you… You should be hustling.
The time to Hustle is NOW.

 

2016 Basketball Camp Completed

Score More Basketball CampThe first Score More Basketball Camp by InviteOnlyBasketball.com was held last Saturday at Keene State College and for all those who attended, it went over very well.  Campers came from as far away as Rhode Island and each camper got a great looking, reversible practice jersey to take home.

Highlights…


cb11cf_47e1cc10f7ad4c3ba3f789ecae442997-mv2_d_1600_1200_s_2 Parisi Speed School
presented the first session and showed drills to improve agility and explosive movement.  Ben from Parisi also tested each camper for their vertical leap while providing pointers along the way.  Each camper got a “Speed Pass” for a free session of Parisi Speed School at the Summit facility in Marlborough, NH and there loads of other prizes from Parisi during their highly energetic and engaging session.

Keene State Associate Head Coach Tyler Hundley helped out with the second session focused on shooting.  Coach Hundley scored over 1000 points in his high school career and gave the campers insights into what it takes to become a scorer.  He also gave each camper specific feedback as they put up 100 shots on Keene State’s Shooting Machine (aka The GUN).

Keene State Men’s Head Basketball Coach Ryan Cain, who himself scored over 1800 points in his college career, stopped by and spoke to the campers as well.

The shooting / scoring session included loads of shooting drills at various distances and against different challenges (defense, competition).  In total, each camper must have put up over 500 shots!

Scoring Moves were also discussed including the 29 Signature Moves of some of the best NBA players.  Here is the link to Coach Wheeler’s blog where he presents the list of moves along with a video showing clips of the moves.  29 Signature Basketball Moves

The final session, after a number of shooting contests, 3-on-3 and 1-on-1 contests, focused on the mental aspects of competition.  Coach Dave Wheeler ran the campers through a “scorer’s meditation” which focused on the skill of mindfulness.  Obviously one meditation won’t give you complete control of your mind, but it was a good introduction to a skill that will allow you to disregard distractions while being present for key experiences so you can perform at your best.  The concept of visualization was also presented, combined with the relaxation process of meditation, as a way to improve your shooting while also resting your body.

bookdbabThe camp ended with awards based on the contest results and, as an added bonus, all campers got to meet Croix Sather, a friend of Coach Wheeler’s who had stopped by to help with the videotaping of the event.  Croix is a keynote speaker and author who ran across the United States, from San Diego to New York City, doing 100 marathons in 100 days.  He also spoke 100 times, mostly to at-risk groups, as he ran across the country.  Each camper also got a copy of Croix’s book, “Dream Big, Act Big”.

Overall it was a great day with lots of great information, challenging drills and so much more.  Keene State College is an excellent location for the camp and everyone involved was incredibly supportive.  We are looking forward to doing it again next year !

What could have been better?

Attendance was lower than we would have liked but everyone involved got some great value out of the camp.  The lower numbers also allowed us to give more attention to each camper and give everyone a chance to use KSC’s GUN.  (Rated as one of the highlights by the campers.)

Marketing will need to be expanded and when we schedule the Fall Camp in 2017, we should be able to market via events throughout the Spring/Summer/Fall leading up to the November event.  With the video of Coach Wheeler’s “Mindset” session, we may even be able to get speaking opportunities at other camps or events in 2017.

Expanded middle & high school connections and a longer, multi-point marketing program with the schools around Keene would also have helped.  Coach Wheeler had a few connections but more will be developed through the 2016-17 basketball season.

Scheduling would also have been better if we were at least one weekend later.  After picking Nov.5th (based on availability of the facility at Keene State), Coach Wheeler learned that there was one more AAU tournament on that weekend.  Since AAU players are a prime audience for InviteOnlyBasketball.com, it would have been better to have the camp later, perhaps the second or even third weekend of the month.

Looking forward to next year’s
pre-season basketball Camp…

There will definitely be another camp next year.  If you or someone you know would like to be part of it, be sure to apply for an invitation over at www.InviteOnlyBasketball.com.  This way you will get “into our system” and we will be sure to let you know as more information about the next camp becomes available.  Hope to see you at a basketball camp soon !

 

What’s your “Signature Move”?

Signature MoveWhat is your signature move on the basketball court?  Do you even have one?  Or are you still learning the game and could benefit from adding a few more moves?

The YouTube video at the bottom of this article is about 45 minutes long but you will want to set aside time to watch it.  The video contains one of the best discussions on Basketball moves that I have come across in a long time.  It also features video of the “Signature Moves” of a long list of NBA All Stars and NBA Hall of Famers.  The moves they talk about and show include ones for all positions… “Guard Moves”, “Big Man Moves” as well as some “Unstoppable Moves”.  Don’t you want to see these moves?  Sure you do!

The video also contains a couple of the drills that helped the players develop the ball handling skills, footwork and physical abilities necessary to make their moves legendary.  If you are serious about improving your

basketball game, this video is one that you will want to watch.

29 Signature NBA Moves
Click the image above to download a PDF of the list.

 

 

Here is a downloadable PDF of the list of basketball moves that they talk about in the Youtube video…

 

 

One quick thought before you watch the video and start planning your own “signature move”…

Do you notice that there aren’t a lot of repeat names on this list?  And the ones that are repeated are simply variations on the same move?

This is because you don’t need all these moves to become a great basketball player.  In fact, if you try to focus on more than one move at a time you may end up not being good enough with any of them.  The best advice is to see which ones fit into your game and the position you want to play… and focus on just ONE move until you have mastered it.  This means that you can use it successfully in a game against real competition.  Some of these moves are relatively simple while others require more athletic ability or ball handling skills.  Start where you want and build your game one move at a time.

Now, let’s watch this video…

And if you want more help with your moves… apply for an invitation to an upcoming basketball camp over at www.InviteOnlyBasketball.com.

Score More 2016 Basketball Clinic scheduled

Score More Basketball CampThe new date for the basketball scoring clinic has been finalized…

The Score More Basketball clinic / one day camp that was originally scheduled for July will be held at Keene State College’s Spaulding gymnasium on Saturday November 5th from 11-4pm.

ADDED BONUS…
Camp participants will also have the opportunity to stick around and watch the Keene State Owls Men’s Basketball team practice starting at 4:30pm.

This camp is produced by InviteOnlyBasketball.com.  If you are interested in being invited to this camp, be sure to apply for an invitation at this link.