July is the most hectic month for many high school basketball players. From playing in summer leagues during the week for their high school teams to traveling around the state and nation for AAU tournaments, July can take its toll on a student-athlete. I would like to offer my own insight as to what high school players should be focusing on during July and the first part of August.
1. Play where you will get better. It is foolish to play for teams where you are going to sit the bench and not get the opportunity to improve. So make sure you are in a situation to see playing time that will help you get better. If you play open gym or pick-up ball, make sure you are focused on getting better and not just winning. That is a perfect time to practice a skill that you have been working on in a game-like atmosphere.
2. Play where you will get the most exposure. July has been constructed to allow for college coaches to use their open recruiting period to get out and see as many college prospects as possible. They will fly all over the country just to see potential recruits. You want them to see you. So make sure you communicate with your high school coach and to let him know when and where you plan to travel so that he does not expect you at summer league games, but also so that he may let coaches who call know where you are so they can keep an eye out.
3. Rest, but not too much. With all of the hectic traveling to and from tournaments, it is important that you take the time to rest and allow your body to recuperate from long weekends of numerous games. While it may seem relaxing, walking around the mall with your boys after a weekend of playing 6 games is not resting.Take resting seriously so that you can restore your energy in order to continue to work on improving your game.
4. Work on your individual game. Each player who is serious about pursuing an opportunity to play ball in college should be better by the end of the summer. You need to understand that there is still enough time to see marked improvement in your game. With focus and dedication, even the best players can see a dramatic improvement before school starts. Amidst all of the games, you should seek to find the time when you can work out on your own, with a coach, or with a teammate, and work on the things that you know will make you better.
5. Lift weights and keep your core strong. One thing that I dislike about the hectic nature of July is that it keeps players from continuing on strength training programs that they have been a part of throughout the summer. Since most of the hotels these players stay at do not have a weight room, coupled with the fact that they are tired from playing so many games, players tend to lose much of what they have worked so hard for in the weight room. But I strongly encourage you to find time for weight training and especially do exercises that will strengthen your core muscle groups. With all of the wear and tear on your body during July, you want your body to be able to withstand it so that you can stay healthy and playing in front of the coaches.
6. Eat well…when you can. It is thought by many that teenagers have steal-lined stomachs and can eat anything they want to and still be OK. Just like the rest of us, teenagers need the right things going in so that they can perform at their optimum level. So when you have the chance, eat healthy meals and snacks since much of you will eat on the road will be bad snacks and fast food because that is what is quickest and cheapest.
7. Contact coaches. If you have an idea of what level you can play at or the level you would like to play at, contact the coaches of schools so that they can plan to put you in their schedule. The recruiting process is not all about you waiting for schools to come to you. Be proactive and initiate the contact. It may just open a door to your recruitment that otherwise would not have been there.
8. Take a week or two to rest. After all of the summer leagues and tournaments are over, take a solid week (maybe more) and debrief from basketball. Burnout is real and it happens to players more often than you would think. Rest is both mentally and physically necessary after some much basketball. So take a week away from the court, the weights, the game, and allow yourself to be re-energized so that you can come back a week or two later with a renewed desire to work hard and continue to get better.
