Learning

One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is closing their door to learning. Every single person in this world has something to learn from something else. No matter how small or large, the previous statement holds truth.

In terms of specific basketball learning, look to learn from those who have WORKED to get to where they are. Chances are those individuals can teach you more than someone that landed a spot due to extreme natural talent.

Once you have your mind open and in tune with your goals it is only the factor of time that rates your progress.

Training The Mind

Much is to be said nowadays about how to build the physical body. Every time I turn on the television and change the channels (rare), I surely see ANOTHER gadget product. These gadgets are "guarenteed" to give you results. Personally, I become a tad bit upset when I see them. I see the advertisements for what they are; LIES!

Sadly enough, thousands of people across the planet Earth purchase these "guarenteed" products expecting magical results they NEVER recieve.

Where has the education gone? Where has the application gone?

Truth be told, you have all the equipment in yourself. If any person expects to recieve more from their physical body, they must first learn how it works. These human anamtomy and physiology lessons need to be digested BEFORE some ever trains.

If you are going to physically train, do you think it's a good idea to know what your doing and why? Would you allow a mechanic to work on your car without prior experience?

I know your answers to those questions were first "yes" and secondly "no". Now it's time for you to learn what you need to about yourself. The first piece to your learning is human anatomy. You need to purchase a reputable textbook on human anatomy. Look at the pictures of ALL the corresponding joints and tissues as you read through the text.

These pictures and the information will allow you to see what is and what is not conducive to your physical training. It is here where you will begin to put the pieces together in your mind. Keep reading.

Rome was not built in a day or in one exact way but the workers all had a plan. You should too! I believe it really starts with your self-education. Don't you think it's about time you knew everything you could about yourself?

Vertical Leap

While playing Professionally Overseas in Portugal, I was lucky to have a talented American teammate. Hunter was a tough small forward who stood six foot eight and weighed two hundred and forty pounds (lean). From the get-go of our first workout, I knew this kid had serious talent, determination and mental toughness.

We lived together, trained together and went through the riggors of the season together. He had a very diverse training background and we both put our heads together every day for productive ideas.

Honestly, our training for the entire season was so diverse that a complete training manual could be written on it.

In the interest of brevity, I will include a traditional exercise that we both used for much success.

The 50 Dunk Challenge
Hunter and I would jog up to the San Joao Gynasio (warm-up). Once there, we took to the hardwood. We had one basketball between the two of us. The rule of the exercise was 50 total dunks from each of us. Each dunk had to be different and used with a specific move.

On average we would finish the drill in less than fifteen minutes. Given the hot, humid climate and the elevation of the stadium, our conditioning was tremendous.

Obviously you need to crawl before you run. If you can not dunk yet I suggest that you go ahead and perform a 50 layup drill. The key of this exercise is learning the spots on the court you CAN elevate and score from. It all starts with one.

Locomotion

The first form of movement learned in United States public school physical education programs are locomotor skills. These skills are not limited to skipping, galloping, hopping, leaping, jumping, jogging, running, bear crawling, crab walking and tip toeing.

Isn't it funny that these SAME locomotion skills are often used on the basketball court?

Isn't it funny how you can watch a high level player used a hop step (skip) into a jump stop (jump) and then finish with authority (explosive bounding?

I teach locomotion to all the players I come in contact with. These locomotor skills increase the players advantage on the court. He/she will build confidence in their abilities and realize that you can do more than jog and run with a basketball.

One of the finest basketball players on the planet is a New York City playground legend turned N.B.A. star; Raefer Alston. He goes by the moniker of "Skip to my Lou". He earned this nickname for the ball handling and locomotion he displayed on the hardwood/blacktop for years. The man is a wizard and one of the best on Earth.

Today's lesson is going back to the basics. Take yourself back to locomotion and perfect each movement. Then when you are confident, throw a basketball into the mix. Maybe there is another legend waiting to emerge? Is it you?

Try this workout next time you're in the gym with 10:00 free time;

Skip while ball handling X 2:00
Hop while ball handling X 2:00
1 dribble, hop step, jump stop, jump shot X 2:00
2 dribbles, hop step, jump stop, jump shot X 2:00
Bear Crawl X 2:00

Champion Volanko

"Think you're strong and you are"

- Champion volanko

Training Skills

Any skill that is practised must first be perfected. You must perfect a skill and keep it harnessed through repetition. Every single specific skill within the game needs to be practised to stay fresh.

Great practice players are NOT always great game players.
Great game players are NOT always great practice players.

Whether or not you know which player you are, you still need to practice correctly. Learning skills from a coach who understands motor patterns is a great benefit to you. Basketball can be simple if you learn correctly.

Force yourself to dominate all facets of your game. Force yourself to perform all skills correctly and in time, smoothly. An effortless skill is one that has been mastered. This includes defense, offense and mental toughness intangibles.

Pistol Pete Maravich perfected the fundamental skills of basketball. He was the first guard to bring what I call "showtime" to American Basketball. Something tells me that he practised hard, trained hard and kept everything simple.

Today's Phrase

You must understand and learn to use the minumum in order to build the maximum.

Apply this to everything in yout life today and get back to me. I want to know if this made your life easier today. Enjoy!

Positioning

Basketball is a simple game with ten players. The two cylanders are protected by defenders and there is one ball. The object of the game is to score more points consistently than your opponent and stop that opponent from scoring. This is basketball.

Basketball players need discipline, mental toughness and dedication ensure constant improvement. Knowing how the body works in relation to time and space elevates a player's game. This is taught and learned through repetitions of game-like movements and cardiovascular exercise. Chalk one up for conditioning.

When you know your body the game of basketball becomes easier. Taking what a defense gives is an effective scoring strategy. Taking an offensive standpoint is also an effective scoring strategy. The offense needs to be honed in order to be effective. Once that is aquired and disposed your opponents will be forced to play the "hope you miss" defense.

Now get out there and make your daily two hundred jump shots. I'll be here when you get back! Shoot straight!

Stairs

Where there are stairs, there can be training. During my active basketball days I spent many an hour on stairs. At the Junior College I started out at, there was nothing BUT stairs. When time permitted, I hit the stairs.

Just to give you an idea of what I would do up and down the stairs;

1. Run
2. Skip
3. Lunge
4. Bear Crawl

There was much more but that was the core of it. I developed sensible variations of all four listed exercises on the stairs. I never had to pay to use the stairs. Even if I did, there was no way I could afford it. At that point in life, I was trying to count change to put one gallon of gas in my tank to get to school.

Even when I trained, if I spotted a quarter or spare change on the ground, I would pick it up and pocket it. Junior College was earning it.

Moral of today's story is; when your committed to basketball and academics you have to use your resources. I was poorer than poor but I found a way to train consistently and make progress. If I can do it, YOU can do it.

Get out there today;

1. Run until you're warmed up
2. Skip until fatigued
3. Lunge until fatigued
4. Bear Crawl until fatigued

This are MANY ways to build the Rome that is your body. It's time to start doing with what you have around you. Hit the stairs!

Sleep

Animals in the wild sleep when they NEED to. Notice I mentioned the word NEED and not WANT. Us humans have learned what it is to WANT. This learned behavior leans the mentally weak away from what he/she NEEDS to what he/she WANTS.

You need to rest/sleep when you are tired.

Make the time if you "don't have the time". In terms of bodily recovery, sleep is one of the best kept secrets in training. Napping is also outstanding for recovery.

One last thing, remember that this sleep is a HUGE part of your conditioning program. Enjoy every drop that you recieve and use only what you need.

Learning to Win

Winning in contagious in any setting on planet Earth. If you are surrounded with people that have internal drive, indomitable will and integrity, you will never falter. Strength of charachter in particular is extremely important.

The winning attitude for a basketball player is knowing his/her responsibilties, helping teammates and being a leader on/off the basketball court.

Since the game has a limited amount of players, the ones selected for ANY team should be grateful. Never take advantage of the fact that you ARE healthy and you CAN play.

Make the decision to win and you will. It starts in your mind, transfers itself to the hardwood and then finally to your teammates. I have seen this magic work time and time again.

It starts with one.

Learning Yourself

The first things in life that we all learn are basic movements. We stand up only to fall down THEN stand up again. Noone except ourselves teaches us to move. We instinctively move because we are a physical species.

I have worked with many high level ballers and it seems they have always been led elsewhere in terms of a conditioning program. They were never allowed to learn on their own rather demonstrate a "routine".

The Training Course I have designed gives you the key to movement. These movements are specific and integral to a basketball player. Literally ANYONE who puts the proper effort in will recieve results shortly. You also get to learn on your own.

You will begin learning aspects of your body that you never knew before. When you are at this point you will know everything you need to know about yourself to improve it.

So no matter if we are infants or adults, we still need physical means to express ourselves. Strive to condition yourself the right way with methods that make sense. Once you learn your physical body you can really begin to harness its power.

Benefits of Water

Our body's are primarily comprised of moisture. A delicate blend of water with traces of sodium and potassium. NA & K are also reffered to as "electrolytes". All your body needs is what is loses. Simply replace what you lost.

The only way to find out what you need to is work and lose electrolytes. Gatoraide is NOT the answer. An adequate supply of water, a few bananas and you are good to go.

Salt or again NA is something that you need very little of. You DONT need to douse your meals with it. You don't even need more than a few drops on food ONCE A DAY at best!

The basketball players body is most important in terms of function. The daily activity of level of a baller is tremendous compared to the average person. This is why real ballers need to know how to care for the body that serves them.

You need adequate hydration which means to NOT allow yourself to become dehydrated. Take little sips throughout the day, all day, every day. Now get out there today and take hold of it.

Carpe diem

Push-Ups

The basketball player NEEDS a body that works from ALL angles. That's why you perform one hundred push-ups rotating your hand placement like a clock after every ten reps.

The change in hand placement will give your body a chance to work from different angles. When you are building a foundation of conditioning, this is a pivotal factor. There is no one way to do it. Instead you have to mix it up and train sensibly.

Get out there today and bang out one hundred push-ups. Make sure to stop and reposition yourself before continuing with sets of ten push-ups. When your finished with it you will realize why you NEED to work from different angles. Lemme' know how it treats ya'!

Today's Quote

"Find the truth that lyes within and all answers shall reveal themselves".

Put that one to work on yourself today. Look deep inside of yourself and man up. Find the truth in yourself, your capabilities and what kind of commitment you are ready to make to succeed at all costs. Your time is NOW!

Rainy Days

Here in the Northeast United States, we are experiencing some pretty high moisture combined with high winds. It is safe to say that ballin' in the park is out until the weather allows it. Jump shots into 25 mile per hour winds are pointless and counterproductive.

What you CAN do however, is perform a few basic exercises in five feet of space. The rules of this kind of work are simple; keep all form perfect, effort at a maximum and mental toughness at it's apex. This is bodyweight training.

Jumping Jax - 5 Minutes (challenge yourself)
Torso Twist - 5 Minutes (challenge yourself)
Squat - 5 Minutes (challenge yourself)

After you've built up a quality lather, it's time to hit the ice bath (cold water). You have dynamically stretched and strengthened your entire body. You have also built up your cardiovascular endurance. One more thing, tack another mental toughness point on your bodily status. This is what rainy day, noreaster training is all about.

If you yearn for more bodyweight training ideas just hit up THIS WEB SITE

This is a guy who does train sensibly, consistently and hard.

The Time

There comes a point in every athlete's life when he realizes the TIME is now! This is a sense of urgency that enables a player to focus on improvement. This same sense of urgency is a readily abundant quality to most Professional Athletes.

You, the reader, need to step up and grasp YOUR TIME! Right now, today, is another time you can improve. It has been said before but you can definitely train every single day. You just can not train the same way every day.

There are mental aspects of yourself that you can always work on. You can prepare yourself to succeed by envisioning yourself winning! You need to be able to accept winning to actually become a winner.

The TIME is now. Grab hold of your potential and work smart. Get in the gym and perform your skill drills. Make sure you get your cardiovascular work in. your wind has to be a strong point of your ability as a player. Basketball Strength Volume I is coming soon. This complete training course is your guide to potential.

Self Discipline

Basketball players who are coached, educated and looked over by a true coach will succeed outside of athletics. A true coach is a professional who teaches self-discipline and allows his/her players to make and learn from their mistakes. A true coach also disciplines his/her players with methods that TEACH instead of PUNISHING.

A coach who benches players for abusing team rules or a lack of self-discipline is one who understands the nature of self-improvement. Taking away what someone enjoys is the quickest way to alter personal behavior.

Self-discipline allows for the cognitive growth of an athlete. This practice enables athletes to live healthily. This practice also enables the athlete who is taught to become a teacher to others who have not yet managed their own self-discipline.

Here at Basketball Strength we believe in self-discipline first. Once a mind and body is harnessed, it can be properly improved. Ballers need to be in "game shape" year round in order to compete at their highest level.

Going Over The Screen

Once or twice per practice we would work on the "high screen". The "high screen" is when there is a two man game outside of the painted area. This two man game begins when a low man comes up to set a screen for the ball handler. The defensive man getting screened must now go OVER the screen to follow the ball handler. While he is making his way there, his other defending teammate must help out and shuffle over to block the ball handler’s lane to the basket. This is help defense at its best because both teammates must communicate with each other.

The defender must always go OVER the screen in order to protect against a three point shot. You should forget percentages and always defend a shot. Once the defender makes a practice of going OVER the screen, the free outside shot is taken away. It is at this point where another team must continually work for their offense. As a defender you never want to give away baskets. Your goal is to make another team work as hard as possible for offense and to take low percentage shots.

Your physical training program should coincide with this defensive philosophy. You should work hard, smart, and know why you're doing what you're doing at all times. I have developed this Training System for the basketball player and by the basketball player. Basketball Strength Volume I. is coming soon...

Bodyweight Efficiency

Bodyweight efficiency is essential before a basketball player can expect to recieve any special benefit from his body. A special benefit is a form a reward athlets who work hard are given. Working hard with bodyweight movements will imrprove your basketball game. This is where basketball training starts; bodyweight movements.

A workout that is sure to get you thinking about the importance of bodyweight efficiency for ballers is as follows. This one will take you about 20 minutes.

2:00 Jumping Jacks
100 push ups (change hand placement every ten)
100 full sit ups
100 squats in defensive stance

Trust me when I say, it is quick, abbreviated and will do the job if YOU do the job. In the meantime, check out John Woods New Bodyweight Training Web Site.

Defensive Mentality

Blocking Shots - hands directly upwards
Altering Shots - hands disrupting shooters vision

Pick one of the two defensive tactics every single defensive possession. You can not plan which one to use but rather instinctively you will find which option to best suite the scenario.

Fouls are committed when defensive players cross an imaginary line drawn by a referee. Most basketball players attempt to block shots by swinging their arms aggressively. Aggression is good to see but it must be controlled to reap benefit.

Basketball players should alter shots by placing their hands over the vision of the shooter. If you can't see, you will most likely miss. Trust me, it works with astounding results.

Basketball Strength is proud to serve ballers all across the planet in their quest to be the best. True ballers need strong hands and durables ones. One of the tools that enabled me to reach my lower arm potential was The Formulator. On the advice of friend John Wood, I purchased mine and the rest is history.

Now your friend Dave is giving you some advice. Buy The Formulator

Catch, Turn & Face

Every single time you catch the basketball, CATCH, TURN & FACE the basket.

This statement of strategy influences the game more that any other strategic movement factor in the game. CATCH, TURN, & FACE determines whether or not a player can see/read the entire court for passing, ball handling or shooting opportunities.

Once you CATCH, TURN & FACE every time without fail, you are learning to play the game of basketball. The next step is to learn to become effective with your TRIPLE THREAT POSITION.

Hand/Eye Coordination

Do you know what a handball is?

Its that small blue rubber ball. This ball is most often used in games with one or more people against a wall. This is a combat athletes SPORT besides fighting (Karl Gotch). You only use your hand to strike handball. There is no racket, only a hand.

There is a reason why handball is such an excellent athletic activity. It requires that an individual maintain excellent hand/eye coordination.

Play handball by yourself and you will know exactly where you are in terms of reactive speed concerning hand/eye coordination. There are no secrets and the truth is told rather quickly with this lesson. I challenge you to play handball by yourself for five minutes a day. This small amount of time will improve you tremendously.

Your ball handling and reaction time will be where they need to be to start seeing positive changes. Stick with this handball and if you can, bounce it as you walk. The more you bounce that ball, the easier handling a big one will be.

A Teammate

In order to raise the bar in areas of physicality within the team sport environment, I feel it is most important that the definition of a teammate should be understood. Being a member of a team does NOT make you a teammate in my eyes. Please take a look at 0-10 as these qualities are what I know are most important in building a quality teammate. Take your time and visualize the teammate.

A teammate is;

0. Having Integrity & being honest
1. Interested in only the good of the whole
2. Hard working only
3. Energy
4. Desire to improve
5. Gracious for the opportunity to be a contributer
6. A man who congratulates without thought of jealousy
7. A man who picks another teammate up when he is down.
8. Never acceptive of what happened yesterday
9. A helpful human being
10. A regular practitioner of Basketball Strength

In a short time I will be passing the ball off to you with Basketball Strength Volume I. This basketball training course is unique, fun and packs on progress when combined with your effort. If YOU are willing to become a solid teammate, this training was desinged for you.

Solid teammates train hard, smart, rest and make progress.

Powerbags

As a basketball player what is more important; a 400lb bench press or performing a Power Press with a Professionally made Powerbag.

Now most people will look at the 400lb bench, salivate and want it immediately. 400lbs can be viewed as a lot of weight through the right set of eyes. In reality, the bench press is a great exercise but there are finer applications for basketball players. The power press is an exercise for a basketball player.

You can develop the kind of explosiveness it takes to throw a chest pass 60 feet with no problem. This is serious business for the hooper. Think about how many guys you know that can throw a crisp chest pass that far.

Power Presses should be performed with a Powerbag that IS Professionally made. I bought my complete set from John Wood @ his web site.

Sports specific powerBags can unlock the apex of athletic performance with the right instruction.

Together we can become champions!

Get Powerbags!

Perspective

Athletic events that occur yesterday, today and are the ones we seem to remember most.

I personally think about my last game because it is what I have just done.
I am prepared to improve upon my last performance today because I need to. We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes.

Concentrating on the events we can control will create positive opportunities for us. We can dedicate ourselves to the fundamental skills of the game and physical conditioning. If you are in shape and can play nobody can stop you.

From this point it's all about mental toughness. How much can you take? How far are you willing to go? How bad do you want it? Improve.

www.basketballstrength.com is introducing a revolutionary product shortly that will sure change the perspective of everyone involved with the game. Be on the lookout for something special.

Offensive Flow

After plays are desgined, players know exactly where they need to be. They need to work together and move together. Sometimes moving can include stationary movement like a screen/pick.

Once a basketball team understands the concept of movement for the easy one, the game becomes fun. Unselfish basketball is contagious and produces success.

A player should WANT THE BALL when his time comes. He should also know what to do when and when not having it. Confidence in your abilities will allow you to succeed.

Live by the rule; Do NOT hesistate simply become part of the flow.

Getting to know your body and what it can do is a big part of training. Working sensibly with a progressive system that promotes success is also important. Basketball Strength is here to provide you with the opportunity to raise your game up another level.

Plays & Time

After plays are desgined, players know exactly where they need to be. They need to work together and move together. Sometimes moving can include stationary movement like a screen/pick.

Once a basketball team understands the concept of movement for the easy one, the game becomes fun. Unselfish basketball is contagious and produces success.

A player should WANT THE BALL when his time comes. He should also know what to do when having it. Confidence in your abilities will allow you to succeed. Do NOT hesistate, simply become part of the flow.

Coming Soon...

Coming soon...

Basketball Strength Volume I

Are you explosive enough?
Are you working hard enough?
Is your competitor training harder than you?

Look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions. It's time to work harder and smarter. Once this revolutionary product is out, grab a hold of your potential!

I have developed this training course with your effort in mind. Now you can posess the type of training and know-how to bring your game up another level. This training course comes packed with professional grade instruction.

Overcoming Pain

When it comes down to embracing the pain, you have to look in the mirror. You have to be willing to step outside of yourself and take a good look. No matter how much pain or fatigue you may be feeling, somewhere in reality, someone has experienced more.

Everytime I train, I think about my broken back. I think about that pain and remember it clearly. This focus enables me to change my perspective on the pain I might be feeling at the moment. In retrospect, it is nothing compared to my broken back. This is a simple mind game that will allow you to go further than you ever had before. Just ask Pat Povilaitis about embracing the pain.

Change your perspective and alter to it take yourself to the limit. Hard work and embracing pain are two things that are synnonmous in physical training.

A good way to start learning your body is through bodyweight training. John Wood is a guy who actually trains and knows the deal when it comes down to training. Give yourself a shot and go HERE

Pat Povilaitis is a man who stands for everything overcoming pain means. He is the worlds greatest steel bender. Check him out