Got that "dawg" in you?

You have probably heard the term “got that dawg in him/her.” Do you?

When you hear someone say they got that dawg in ‘em, what do you think of? Probably a player that is scrappy, competitive, and brings energy. Those things are indeed true. Having a high motor and no quit is a big part of being not only a successful athlete, but a driven and successful person.

What having that dawg in you really comes down to is mental toughness.

Mental toughness is difficult to teach. It can be instilled in a person/player, but that individual must be receptive.

Over the years, The Basketball Movement and its Trainers have enhanced the mental toughness of countless players. Those skills learned here have positively impacted their lives on and off the court.

We cannot take all credit, though, because it is so largely up to each individual. The true dawgs that we have turned out either had a bit of that fire in them from the start or made a conscious decision at some point to flip the switch and become players who play hard and never quit.

Having that dawg in you does not mean you put your head down and attack the basket every possession. The dawg in you is what makes you make the basketball plays that don’t always make the highlight reel.

Sticking with hard screens, diving for loose balls, boxing out rebounders, delivering unselfish passes, getting in the proper defensive stance every possession, smart closeouts on shooters, and practicing as hard as you play… these are the plays we see from players that have the dawg in ‘em.

Those are tangible examples. There is also the inner drive to improve, the NEED to achieve a team win, the support of teammates even when it is hard… there are many examples of that dawg that it takes to be a winner.

So, do you have that dawg in you? Are you ready to find out? Reach out to The Basketball Movement and learn about ways to test your mettle. We’ll see if you have what it takes.

Planning for self-improvement

Do you have a plan for self-improvement?

In today’s basketball world, the number of talented players is incalculable. The talent pool is deeper than it ever has been. The number of lockdown defenders who will never play D1 ball is shocking. The number of three-point snipers who cannot crack their varsity squad is intimidating. How, then, can you hope to stand out or excel?

Before anything else, you need a plan.

Having a plan for self-improvement provides a roadmap for players to set goals, identify areas for development, and take actionable steps toward achieving their desired level of play.

In surpassing players around you, many of whom may be more naturally gifted than you, a good plan of attack is essential. With the framework of a plan, you can stay focused and motivated where others may fall off.

Time allocation, skill prioritization, and progress tracking are a few of the pros involved in having a thought-out approach to improving on the court.

We have spoken before about the need to focus on your strengths while insulating your weaknesses.

The Basketball Movement was built to improve basketball players, so don’t be afraid to reach out for help creating specialized plans for improvement.

Our weight equipment has been explicitly designed with basketball players in mind. We have a rebounding shooting gun - keep track of your makes and strive for improvement. Get a little faster each time you condition. Be open with coaches and trainers about your willingness to work and improve.

Our trainers are one of the ultimate basketball resources in this part of the country. If you want to make a plan for improvement and need help getting started, there is no better place than The Basketball Movement.

Contact us and get started right away!

Film analysis with The Basketball Movement

An undervalued skill in basketball is knowing how to adequately prepare for matchups - a skill The Basketball Movement can help you develop.

As you grow in the sport of basketball, the intricacies get more and more important. You have heard for a long time that the little things add up - that becomes more true in each level of the sport. By the time you are playing high school ball and especially hit college or the pros, you should have the fundamentals down. You will be working on the finer things.

One area that too often goes uncoached is the art of mental preparation. You may be equipped with a deep bag of on-court skills, but if you aren’t as prepared as your opponent for the mental portion of the game, the scales will tip.

Luckily, you have a resource. The Basketball Movement has been helping players develop these skills for years, not only teaching players to learn on the fly but also what to look for in film analysis. As you grow in the sport, prepping for teams and individual players becomes crucial if you wish to be competitive. Shouldn’t you learn how to get the most out of this aspect of the game? (The answer is yes)

If you as a player or coach need to learn how to adequately prepare for matchups by studying film or even what to look for in-person, contact us at The Basketball Movement.

Our facility includes a state-of-the-art film room that is designed to teach these skills with interactive smart screens and just the man for the job. Head Trainer, Rob Yanders has learned from years of collegiate and professional basketball exactly what to look for and exactly how to look for it.

IMG_5188@0,3x.png

This is just one piece of what The Basketball Movement has to offer, but it is a piece that will be difficult to find anywhere else in Southwest Missouri. The specific knowledge and expertise that go into providing lessons on film analysis shouldn’t be discounted. We help hundreds of players each week in so many ways, but this is one way that does not get used enough. Use us! We want to help and need you to know how much more there is than on-the-court action.

Again, to take advantage of our facility and knowledge to give you an edge, please contact The Basketball Movement here and keep it locked to this blog for more of what we do best!

Unseen hours in the trenches

A sports analogy refers to teams being “in the trenches.” What exactly does this mean?

First, perhaps we should start by saying that the origin of saying you are “in the trenches” comes from wartime. At war, soldiers would dig and then occupy trenches with their fellow soldiers, putting them in a frightening, front-line experience that only their fellow soldiers could understand. So, we want to quickly point out that nothing about basketball or any sport can compare to combat situations - in case that wasn’t obvious.

Despite the seriousness of its origins, the saying is still used because it is easy to apply to other situations in which you and your brothers or sisters on a team go through tough times together to achieve goals bigger than any one individual. Only athletes that have put blood, sweat, and tears into a sport can fully understand the thrill of winning championships or the lows of significant losses. That is why we often hear professionals mentioning that outsiders don’t fully understand the work behind the scenes.

There is an old clip of Isaiah Thomas (the original Bad Boy Pistons Isaiah Thomas) watching back for the first time the tape of himself battling through a sprained ankle in the Finals, doing everything he could to will his team to victory before falling short. They cut back to Thomas, who was crying. When the host asks him about his emotion, Thomas begins to answer but winds up telling him, “You wouldn’t understand.”

It’s true. Almost everyone has played sports, so there may be some understanding, but the specific circumstances you fight through as an individual or as a team are unique. Isaiah legitimately gave his all in that series but could not make magic happen. Putting it all on the court and leaving it there is a big undertaking, but one that actual competitors will take on every time.

What each team goes through is what brings them closer as individuals. The greatest teams drew close in practices, on the road, in the huddle, or off the court - A.K.A. the trenches.

To be in the trenches with teammates is a special thing that should not be taken lightly. We want to help athletes understand this and use their time to become better at basketball and stronger individuals and better teammates/friends.

When you are putting in work down in the trenches of the sport, don’t just do it for yourself. Do it for your team - your brothers and sisters that share your colors. The best players are almost always amazing teammates. When and where do you become a fantastic teammate? In the trenches.

The little things

Never underestimate the power of the little things. Set hard screens, make sharp cuts, and communicate.

If you have been around Rob Yanders or The Basketball Movement for at least a couple of clinics or a workout, you have already learned about the little things. As a true basketball mind, Rob appreciates full effort on a back cut as much as he does a pretty jumper. A hard screen is as likely to get him out of his seat as a ferocious dunk. If you are putting full effort into everything you do, you will be a standout.

These recent NBA Finals showed what it takes to win (at any level). If your shot is not falling like Michael Porter Jr.’s wasn’t? Crash the boards. If you are not counted on for scoring production like Christian Braun? Spend your time in the passing lanes. For a squad to elevate to the level of champion, the little things add up just as much as the big things.

To succeed at the little things in the game takes dedication. For starters, you need to know what you are doing. Pay attention in practice, study the game, and learn from your mistakes. Repetition is huge - oftentimes, doing the little things just comes down to muscle memory. For all of those little things to become muscle memory, you will likely have to be a pro. Until then, it will take frequent, conscious effort.

One of the best things you can do to hold yourself accountable is to remain engaged. Don’t ball-watch, but remain in constant motion on offense. Be active off the ball. If you are driving hard, the ball will find you. If you are setting good screens, you will be a better teammate and improve the whole offense.

When it comes to defense, stay low, but make yourself big. That sounds tough, but just make sure you are always in the stance and staying strong. Keep your arms out (or into the opposing player) and your eyes wide open. If you are doing your best to be ready for anything, you are probably doing the little things.

To work on the little things that make basketball such an intricate, special game, you have to get in the gym. Repetition is key, but only if you are doing things the right way. Get with a trainer or coach that knows what they’re doing and will hold you accountable.

It is difficult to say without being too cliche, but the little things really do add up. All of them add up to a whole that benefits your entire team in a big way. Get after it!

Finding your "why"

The Basketball Movement asks players to seek what they may not have considered: exactly why they play.

Everyone has their reasons for plotting their life course. Whether being intentional or going with the flow, choices are made every day that affect the course of your life. In life and in sport, the gravity of choices shines through at all times.

The more mature players get, the more they establish the reasoning behind their decisions or their “why.” Basketball is fun; most of us can agree on that. For some (again, especially for younger individuals), that is enough to get started. But to continue to grind and hone the craft of a hooper over years and years? That underlies a more significant “why” than just fun.

Often, those with the most firm “whys” and strongest convictions are the ones that are willing to put in the time and effort to make it to the top.

The Basketball Movement’s founder, Rob Yanders, began hooping in Milwaukee because it was an escape - the court could silence the outside noise and hardships. Now, he stays on his grind to be in service of others. Yanders uses basketball as a tool to enrich the lives of those around him. He uses basketball to support his family, raise up his community, and leave his legacy. That is a big “why.”

For players, especially those with collegiate or professional basketball aspirations, honing in on your “why” is critical. Are you still just doing it for fun? We love to hear it, but know that the cream of the crop has reasons that are likely to propel them ahead of you. They will outwork you.

Wanting to set an example for others is a great reason. Wanting to be able to provide for others is a great reason. Believing that your God-given ability was meant for this and amplifying His glory is a great reason.

Some know their “why” right away when asked. If that is not you yet, it is time to dig deep. Do some soul-searching and ask yourself why you are pursuing the path in front of you. If the reasons are not strong enough or the answers you find pull you in another direction, so be it. Now is always the best time to find out what you truly want out of life.

Your homework: find your “why.” Pinpoint the reason you hoop and use it as fuel to elevate above those around you. You know the best place to do that. You know our why. See you soon.

Accepting Defeat

Every basketball game produces a winner and a loser - you can’t tie, and you can’t always win, so how will you accept defeat?

One of the best parts about basketball and sports, in general, is the high of winning. Sports are founded on competition, so the ultimate goal is to win as much as possible - to defeat your opponents until you have proven to be the best. Every game has a winner, so naturally, each match also has a losing side. Sometimes, you will find yourself on the losing side.

Losing is not fun. The game can be fun to play, but if you find yourself on the losing end by the time it concludes, it can certainly be disheartening. To lose means that someone was better than you, which is a tough pill to swallow.

You may be a better player or be on a better team than your opponent. However, each game is different, and varying circumstances can lead to anyone being best on a given night.

So how do you handle losing? How do you accept defeat? Getting hung up on a loss or dwelling on shortcomings can be easy. No player or team is perfect, so losses will inevitably come. The pros are considered solid teams if they win over 50 percent of their games. Accepting defeat is challenging but a necessity.

Understanding that losses happen is important. Accepting defeat becomes much simpler when you actively consider that everyone loses at some point or another. Of course, it is human to be disappointed when things don’t happen as you want, but accepting it and moving forward is critical.

“If you do the best you can, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Losing is not a disgrace.”
— Dirk Nowitzki

Better yet, learning from losses and mistakes will make you lose less in the future. Though it is great to keep your head up and move on from losses, reflecting on lessons learned to better yourself or your team moving forward is ideal.

Accepting defeat is the first step, learning from it is the second, and the third is applying those tough lessons learned going forward. With persistence and dedication, the losses will likely become less frequent. You often learn more from losses than wins, so look at them as opportunities rather than blemishes.

If you are tired of losing and ready to do something about it for yourself or your team, be sure to reach out to us at The Basketball Movement. We can’t prevent anyone from losing, but we can help in your quest to win as much as possible!

Definition of elite

The Basketball Movement breaks down the definition of elite - a word that often gets misused.

The Basketball Movement recently announced the first-ever Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp. This new camp is designed to enhance existing skills and is for guards who intend to achieve an elite level of play. What does it truly mean, though, to be elite?

The Oxford Languages definition of elite: “a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group or society.”

So, elite does not have to be one individual. You do not have to be the best to be considered elite, but you need to stand out from your peers as superior. In our world, that means having advanced basketball skills in addition to the necessary mentality to maintain and expand upon your status.

Not every player that comes through our gym doors is elite - not by a long shot. Elite is not a requirement at The Basketball Movement. But the hunger to become elite? An intrinsic drive to improve yourself and overtake your peers on the court? Not only do we encourage that, but the lack of such drive may get called out. We do not like to see you or your parent’s hard-earned money going to waste.

For larger-scale events such as the Rob Yanders Elite Guard Camp, we cannot evaluate the mentality of every single player. However, through the course of the camp, the cream will rise to the top as it always does. Even those that do not stand out have the opportunity for drastic improvement as long as they maintain the desire to be elite. Becoming so is a jog, not a sprint.

That said if your kid cannot make a layup, do not try to sign them up, but also try not to be discouraged. The players we expect at these camps have already put time and effort into their hoops journey. Once a player has shown commitment to this journey and puts in some necessary work, we will talk.

Player and person growth and development is what The Basketball Movement is all about. Our goals are an extension of who Rob Yanders is and what he strives for. Not everyone can be elite, but the journey can make us all better.

Appreciation - The Basketball Movement

At The Basketball Movement, there is an emphasis on producing not only better players, but better people as well.

Too often in today’s game, players struggle to appreciate everything that is done for them. Players tend to see coaches, teachers, and guardians as little more than tools in place to help them improve. While coaches certainly do their best to help players improve, the good ones go out of their way to make sure that they are enriching the player’s lives beyond just the sport of basketball.

The amount of time that goes into being a successful coach is often dismissed because it revolves around a sport/game. People and players do not always stop and consider that coaches are putting in the time because they want to help young people grow in many ways using the sport they are coaching.

(Click here for more on Rob Yanders and how The Basketball Movement strives to set excellent examples for its players)

It is true that basketball coaches do what they do because they love it. Even so, good coaches are deserving of your gratitude. If a coach, assistant, ball boy, bus driver, or anyone in between has taken the time to help you get where you are - thank them.

The occasional “Thank you” can go a long way. Not only do coaches or anyone else truly love to hear it, but it can help to further connections that you have with these people. A coach-player relationship is symbiotic. That means that it is mutually beneficial for both parties. If the coach does improve not only your game but your future, they deserve your thanks. Likewise, player successes are also coach successes. Take the time to appreciate each other.

Speaking of thankless jobs, don’t forget to stop and appreciate parents/guardians as well. The hours, days, and years that they put in working, raising you, feeding you, covering your teams’ dues, buying equipment, and driving around deserve so much thanks. It is true that as parents or guardians, they have certain responsibilities. That does not mean that their hard work should go unnoticed. Players, these individuals in your lives deserve appreciation. Remember to thank them as often as you can.

Parents and guardians - remember that the grind doesn’t stop for you either. You have already put in so much time and effort, but you know well that those responsibilities don’t take days off. You are so lucky to have these players in your life. Soak up all of the good times and stay strong through the bad - your kids don’t stop needing you.

In speaking with The Basketball Movement’s founder, Rob Yanders, he describes that parent’s roles with their player are almost always bigger than either of them even realize.

“In helping get these kids through the recruiting phase, many people don’t realize that the guardians are being recruited and interviewed too. Parents often serve as a window into the player’s background and personal life. Recruiters don’t underestimate these roles and neither should the families.”
— Rob Yanders

You will have many relationships in your life. Some will be personal, some will be professional, and all of them should be handled with care. Take time to appreciate everyone that has been a part of your journey. Aside from personally reflecting on these relationships, go out of your way to thank the individuals involved.

In a time in which some players may feel entitled, stand out as someone that coaches and other individuals want to help because you are so grateful. Never stop grinding - on the court or in life!

Knocking off rust

With basketball activities slowly but surely ramping up, how are you planning on knocking off rust?

There is no denying that we are in strange times. Closures of gyms, shutdowns of school ball, summer leagues on hiatus… it has been difficult to work on your craft; at least in the ways that players are accustomed to.

So, for many athletes, some rust has built up over a time where it would not have normally. Now what?

At The Basketball Movement, we are continuing to follow the government guidelines and are only doing individual or small-group workouts while monitoring the number of individuals in our facility. If anyone is displaying symptoms, we are asking that they stay home, as the health and safety of our staff and players is paramount.

We have already had many players reach out to us wanting to begin the process of knocking off rust. Getting into deal basketball shape is a difficult task, even for players that have been taking good care of themselves.

Conditioning is normally the most important part of knocking off the rust. To get the most out of workouts, players need to have enough energy in the tank to get through all training aspects. Basketball is unique in that it has dozens of quick, full-speed moments mixed into a continuous up-and-down flow. Players need to remain primed for explosion at any moment.

Starting slow is alright when getting back into shape - you must walk before you can run. Doing too much too fast can lead to injuries that make your comeback even more difficult. Test your limits, but listen to your body before going overboard. Patience is an important piece of this.

As for the finer skills, many of those have not left you, but may be lying dormant. The best way to wake them up is to get a good sweat going, rekindle some muscle memory, and fall back into what you know. That said, it is still best to sharpen all skills as often as possible. Even the basics of the sport need year-round attention if you want to be the best player you can be.

Having a trainer or coach with you during the process of knocking rust off is important as well. A trainer can help you monitor progress and workload while making sure you are doing things the right way.

If you are looking to get into the gym and get started, reach out at basketballmovement@yahoo.com

No one can argue that these have been difficult times, but as basketball makes its return, it is now also a time for excitement. We hope to see you at the gym soon!

Film analysis with The Basketball Movement

Stuck at home? Need something to work on? An undervalued skill in basketball is knowing how to adequately prepare for matchups - a skill The Basketball Movement can help you develop.

As you grow in the sport of basketball, the intricacies get more and more important. You have heard for a long time that the little things add up - that becomes more true in each level of the sport. By the time you are playing high school ball and especially hit college or the pros, you should have the fundamentals down. You will be working on the finer things.

One area that too often goes uncoached is the art of mental preparation. You may be equipped with a deep bag of on-court skills, but if you aren’t as prepared as your opponent for the mental portion of the game, the scales will tip.

Luckily, you have a resource. The Basketball Movement has been helping players develop these skills for years, not only teaching players to learn on the fly but also what to look for in film analysis. As you grow in the sport, prepping for teams and individual players becomes crucial if you wish to be competitive. Shouldn’t you learn how to get the most out of this aspect of the game? (The answer is yes)

If you as a player or coach need to learn how to adequately prepare for matchups by studying film or even what to look for in-person, contact us at The Basketball Movement.

Our facility includes a state-of-the-art film room that is designed to teach these skills with interactive smart screens and just the man for the job. Head Trainer, Rob Yanders has learned from years of collegiate and professional basketball exactly what to look for and exactly how to look for it.

IMG_5188@0,3x.png

This is just one piece of what The Basketball Movement has to offer, but it is a piece that will be difficult to find anywhere else in Southwest Missouri. The specific knowledge and expertise that go into providing lessons on film analysis shouldn’t be discounted. We help hundreds of players each week in so many ways, but this is one way that does not get used enough. Use us! We want to help and need you to know how much more there is than on-the-court action.

Again, to take advantage of our facility and knowledge to give you an edge, please contact The Basketball Movement here and keep it locked to this blog for more of what we do best!

Striving for the Mamba Mentality

As the basketball world continues to mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant, we remind players to carry on the Mamba Mentality.

The world knew Kobe Bryant by the basketball player we saw on the floor. Only his close family and friends truly knew him as a person. We saw how hard he worked, what he was able to achieve, and for the most part, what it took to get there. There are still countless unseen hours, not just that he put towards the game of basketball, but into his other passions, hobbies, and relationships.

For that reason it is not fair of us, the public, to pretend we knew everything about Kobe Bean Bryant. Media figures and players say ”He would want this,” or “he would have wanted that.” All we know is that he loved his family, loved his occupation, and gave us a hell of a spectacle on the court.

The loss of a family man is an indescribable blow. So, let’s just focus on what we can wrap our heads around: Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Mentality.

We knew Kobe primarily by what he was on the court - a true superstar. Bryant was as feared an opponent as anyone could ever imagine. His offensive repertoire made him a killer, a basketball assassin. He could rip your heart out and crush your dreams in so many ways that he earned the respect of nearly every hooper on the planet.

Since the NBA has been naming first or second-team all-defense, Kobe earned the nod 12 times (nine first-team), the most ever by a guard. So despite being an offensive juggernaut, he was able to still exert enough energy and focus on defense that he was deemed one of the league’s best defenders multiple years. Impressive resume, but what does it mean?

The Mamba Mentality

Kobe Bryant was nicknamed the Black Mamba. He could and would strike on offense or defense at any moment, and it was always deadly. Players special enough to go so hard on both ends of the floor are rare, but they all possess something in common - a term coined by Bryant himself: Mamba Mentality.

Players do not need Kobe-level skills to harness the Mamba Mentality because it is just that - a state of mind.

The focus of the Mamba Mentality isn’t attacking the opponent like Bryant made it seem. Instead, the focus is internal; promises to yourself to get every loose ball, the drive to play every defensive possession like it is meant to be played, the willingness to let the offense come to you, but also the readiness to take over a game if that is your role.

Mamba Mentality will look different depending on your role. Kobe was asked to shoulder the load on offense and be a defensive stopper. For some players, it may be focusing on snatching every rebound or making sure teammates are involved. Players on the bench, coaches, anyone… the Mamba Mentality can be applied no matter what.

Perhaps the best way we can remember Kobe Bryant the basketball player is to all try our best to approach life with the Mamba Mentality. Fiercely protect family and friends, keep your foot on the gas while you chase dreams, and give your all in everything you do.

Enjoy the processes - even the little moments and the tough times. Keep loved ones close and let them know how much they mean to you. Bryant and the other individuals we lost were taken from the world too soon, but we can make their loss count for something big. Embody the Mamba Mentality and you will be surprised by the doors that open for you. Reach out to us if that means getting in the gym. Reach out even if it doesn’t and we will be a shoulder for you.

RIP Kobe Bryant - thank you for everything.

The Basketball Movement - Respect

An important key in basketball and in life is to treat everyone around you with respect.

A good practice for basketball but also life in general is to be respectful of EVERYBODY - superiors, peers, and subordinates alike. It is true, not everyone deserves respect, but there is never an excuse to treat someone that way. Even if you do not respect somebody, you must act respectfully at all times.

In basketball, the ultimate example of respect happens in the player-coach relationship. Coaches have the difficult task of uniting individuals in a group, developing a strategy, and implementing that strategy through the actions of their team. This can cause friction between all involved and is not always smooth sailing.

Playing time and usage is important to players and are also some of the greatest tools at a coach’s disposal. They put who they want on the floor to give them the best chance at executing their strategies at all times. Even if you have a tenuous relationship with your coach, it is important that you understand that they are trying to complete a difficult job to the best of their abilities. Not agreeing with the methods is allowed, but respect is necessary at all times, or else it will cause fractures in the team as a whole.

Most importantly, your coach is human. They are prone to mistakes, lapses in judgment, real-life issues, and more that deserve the same consideration that you would hope for yourself. Respect that.

As a player, you must also respect your teammates. You have the same goals; win every game possible, limit mistakes, and yeah, show out a bit. Some may have more or less drive than you. Some may be turnover-prone. Some may just not like to pass you the ball. This is still someone in the trenches with you that you need on the same page as to accomplish the biggest goals.

Again, they are human. Acting disrespectfully will fracture the team dynamic, create rifts where there should be friendships, and make life more difficult than it has to be. You don’t even have to like all of them - just treat them with respect to make the best out of any situation.

“Sport is and should remain a great school of life that supports young people in their personal development. It teaches respect for others and also for oneself.”
— Richard Attias

Referees are different. No wait, that isn’t right because they are also human! Referees have an incredibly difficult job and would probably prefer if you didn’t foul or let the ball go out of bounds. They like basketball too and deserve to enjoy it in their own way without getting disrespected by a player (or coach) that thinks they are doing poorly at their job. They are real people with real issues that don’t deserve to be treated badly.

By now, you have seen the trend. Opponents must be treated with respect. They are a lot like you, only from different locations. The more people you treat with respect, the more likely you will gain respect in return.

Respect can be a difficult concept to grasp even though it seems simple. You do need to earn respect and not every individual does what is needed to have earned it. Strive to earn respect, and remember that treating others respectfully (whether earned or not) is one of the quickest ways to get there.

Generally, people around you will give you opportunities to earn respect and reward you with it. Still, there are those that will want to bring you down. Nothing will eat at them more than treating them respectfully when all they want is to ruffle your feathers. That is why treating others with respect is some of the best advice we can give.

You can’t go wrong with acting respectfully, so do so as much as possible! Even when you stumble, be apologetic, humble, and gracious to get back on the right track. Respect is important in life (and on the court), so make it a focus in 2020.

For more tips, basketball news, and more, keep it locked with us here at The Basketball Movement!

Tips: Ignoring the noise

At every level of the game, there will be plenty of outside noise that you must learn to tune out.

When we say tuning out the noise, that is meant to be taken both literally and figuratively. There will be literal noise in the form of opponents jawing at you, harsh words from the stands, and encouragement. The figurative noise can come in many forms: online chatter, the media (for the higher tiers of the sport), and other off-court words from teammates, peers, and more.

For any players worth his or her salt, the literal noise is much easier to tune out. When on the court, locking in and focusing on the task at hand should be fairly natural.

That said, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded to not get sucked into the pettiness of on-court chatter. You have no business getting dragged into chatting with your opponents. Focus on yourself and your team. When the chatter is coming from fans, you have even less business engaging the crowd. Just allow the crowd to be white noise. You will still be able to register the roar when your team is doing well at home or relish in the silence that comes with success on the road. Even words of encouragement, which are definitely not a bad thing, can be a bit distracting. Just focus on the game and wait until the end for your pats on the back.

Keep an ear open for your coach and teammates. Their words are the only ones you must focus on. Any other noise during a game is just that - noise.

Off the court, you don’t have the heat of the moment to distract you. You may be told you’re no good. You may be told you’re the best. You may be told your shot is ugly. You may hear your team is going to win it all. It is nearly impossible to tune out all of the outside noise you will hear over your playing career.

While you may not be able to control what you hear, you will always be in control of what comes next. Do you worry about how your shot looks? Do you hang your head or puff your chest? The thing to do is to remember that you are the only one that can control your destiny on the court. Do you, only take advice from those you trust the most, and focus on doing whatever it takes to improve and help your team.

No one knows you and your game better than yourself. Control what you can control and let the flow of the game take care of the rest. Ignore the haters and make sure your circle consists of honest individuals that truly want to see you succeed.

The noise will always be there, but it is up to you to filter as much as possible and don’t let the rest affect your game. If you must hear it, use it as fuel as you pursue the path that YOU determine is best. Many of the top players have unique styles that probably garnered some hate more than once on their journey. The best thing you can do is trust yourself, work hard, and silence the noise with your play.

The Basketball Movement: Tips, motivation, and guidance

We are more than just a gym to go break a sweat in! Click around and you’ll see what we are about.

At The Basketball Movement, skill development is our bread and butter. Making sure that you or your athlete improve basketball skills on the court is our most fundamental priority, and we pride ourselves on being good at what we do.

We also want to make sure that our athletes are prepared for whatever life throws at them off the court as well. Using basketball as a tool, we are always striving to enhance the qualities of our players that extend beyond the sport.

Our blog is updated weekly with more than just news from around the world of basketball. It is an excellent resource for tips, motivation, and guidance for not only athletes, but parents, and fans as well. Check out a few such articles below:

Setting goals for yourself

A few tips for parents and other fans

So you didn’t get drafted

Becoming a leader with The Basketball Movement

What to do during the offseason

These are just a handful of examples pulled from the last month and a half or so. So, as you can tell, we are coming at you with this content all the time. Our blog is a great place to check-in for tips and motivation centered around hoops.

As The Basketball Movement looks to step up not just the hoops community, but the community as a whole, keep checking back for content like this that can motivate, guide, and inspire budding or established hoopers.

A few tips for parents or other fans

Playing the game can be tough, as can coaching. Watching the games? As invested fans, that can be tough at times too.

As fans of basketball, it can be all too easy at times to get involved in everything that goes on on the court - especially for parents. You are taking your kids to camps, practices, and games as well as footing the bills for leagues, equipment, and so on. This gives a deep feeling of involvement with your player and the program.

This is a good thing! You should be active and engaged in what is going on in your son or daughter’s lives. However, this involvement can also make things a bit difficult when you see your athlete placed in tough situations or under-performing.

Just remember - it is often best to address these situations according to the time and place. On the way to or from games are terrific times for constructive discussions, as everything is fresh in the player’s head. At practices, that is the coach’s jurisdiction. Let the coaching staff handle everything on the floor.

Where things often get tough for parents is where it is toughest for all parties - during games.

There are fine lines to walk during games. On the one hand, you are encouraged to cheer on your players and team, to praise them during their successes, and to build them back up when they make mistakes. As such an invested individual though, you may sometimes make mistakes.

Encouragement is always helpful, there is no limit on that. Where things can go wrong though lies in criticism, whether it is of your player, the coach, or even referees. Shouting at the refs will build bad blood between that ref and your team, no matter where it comes from. It also sets a poor example for the players, leading them to believe referees are a scapegoat for their shortcomings.

Criticizing coaches or your player’s teammates is of course discouraged as well. It will distract all of the players and take away from the important focuses of playing the sport.

Finally, save constructive criticism of your own player for another time. Your son, daughter, or otherwise is already going to be aware when they make a mistake. Compounding that with a public disappointment of their parents is going to get in their head in a big way. During game time, just remember - encourage, encourage, encourage. Let the coaches and team handle the rest.

Being an involved parent or fan is important, just do your best to go about it in the best way possible. The Basketball Movement shares a bond with our athletes and their families, and we have faith that our parents, players, and coaches can set great examples for each other.