How to Become a Better Team Player in Basketball
There are few compliments in sports greater than when a person is described as a team player, but there is also a sort of negative connotation that goes with the term, as if a player has to be this way since his individual talent is not that strong. However, anyone on a basketball team can be a team player, regardless of level of skill or "star" status. In the sport of basketball, there are several ways for an individual to become a better team player, which means that she is willing to go the extra mile for the good of the squad. There are tangible things that can be done on the court in practice and in games as well as off the court to achieve this goal.
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Instructions
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Always hustle. Whether in practice or a game setting, hustle will become contagious among teammates and elevate the level of play. Hustle on the basketball court means diving for loose balls, trying to save the ball from going out of bounds, and always getting back on defense. Learn the difference though between hustling and playing with reckless abandon, which can lead to senseless fouls as well as injuries for not only you but a teammate or opponent.
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Do the little things to help your team succeed. Set picks to get other shooters open and fight through them when an opponent sets one on you. Make the extra pass to a more open teammate. Take a charge from an oncoming opponent. Box out your opponent on foul shots as if every one is going to be a miss and come directly to your area. If you are one of the stars of the team and teammates observe you playing this way, then they too will follow suit. If you are not the most gifted basketball player on the team then doing the little things can allow you to contribute.
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Control your emotions in fiery situations. Rather than hurt the team by becoming embroiled in a fight or argument with an opponent that can result in a technical foul or an ejection, walk away and stay composed. The same goes for any potential altercations with teammates in the heat of practice. Sort out any problems away from the court with an open mind.
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Encourage everyone on the team. Pump up the teammates that have made mistakes and accentuate their positive play. Take the time to get to know everyone on the team. This doesn't mean you have to hang out with every single member of the squad but make sure each teammate knows you are there. Loyalty is a prized value on any team. Be available to help other players after practice work on their skills.
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Accept criticism and learn from it. Take the advice of coaches and don't shut out what they are saying. Work hard to improve the weaker points of your game. This could mean staying after practice to shoot 100 foul shots or asking a coach or teammate what to do in a specific situation. Realize that there is always room for improvement and strive to get better.
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