Hoops

How to get your game back after a long time away?

Enjoy the time. Be your best.

Yeah, I love the game. It is why I came back. But at some point you want to play well. The euphoria of being on the court again has faded and now I want wins, results and improvement from myself to get the full level of enjoyment out of it.

A player conscious of their own shortcomings will find no critic bigger than their own self review.

Why did you return to the court? If the answer is because you love to be in the game then stop analyzing so much and embrace the fact you have the opportunity to be ballin again.

It's not so much the shooting as it is reading and reacting to situations on court and a lot of the moves I used to have. If I am open I am still fairly accurate with my shot - not as deadly as I was at the moment, though.

I pulled a few moves to the basket last night which seemed to be slight improvements on what I would have pulled the months prior, so that's a plus. There are small improvements but I want to kind of push this momentum forward a bit quicker.

I'm in the same position - granted i only had 2/3 years off fully. You're spot on - at the start i had that same frustrated mentality..frustrated that i knew i could do it and used to be able to do it.

My advice would be start small. Don't go straight into shooting 3s etc.

Spend the next few weeks only shooting from within the key - one hand, form shooting. Do basic dribbling drills, wraps, figure 8's etc. Do basic footwork stuff like jumpstops, pivoting etc.

I did that and gradually worked up from there. After a while everything came back together - shooting touch, footwork, dribbling touch

I'm feeling you. Similar situation - stopped playing in my early 20s now getting back into it in my early 30s.

All I can say is, yeah, I sucked for the first few months back, but it's coming back together...slowly.

Ball handling in traffic driving to the rack takes re-learning. Shooting... had to totally go back to basics and spend a lot of time shooting around by myself to get some confidence and rhythm.

Recommendations:
Youtube the shit out of shooting, finishing and ball handling drills AND spend the time doing them.
Don't be afraid to turn the ball over trying to drive to the rack - just go for it - you need to keep trying and practicing to get better. Make sure your shot is automatic - don't hesitate if you're open, just jack it up - remember, no one's kitten dies if you miss, I promise.

If you're in Brisbane, let me know, I could use a partner for individual skills training.

Keep ballin'!!!

When I say "hoping my best balling years aren't behind me", I do say that knowing that the next 15 aren't going to be as good as the last 15 (Yes I plan to be the old guy at 45 still on court if I can). But what I am trying for is to atleast regain most of the skill I had, even if I am not quite as explosive. If I can be 75% or so of what I was, I would be pretty happy.

You're 2 months back? After 3 years away? Yeah, I'd say stick with it and try to be patient. 2 months is not a long time.

Your 29, your best balling years are behind you... But honestly just keep playing and you will get your touch back.

The Bearcats Mid-Year Carnival is on again this year 8th - 10th July (2nd weekend of school holidays). It's open to all Div 2 and below teams (plus Div 1 teams are welcome to enter their next-higher age-group). This is a fun & well-organised carnival that has enjoyed great success in previous years.

Nominations just closed although if any teams are interested, the committee will accept late nominations BUT PLEASE BE QUICK!

Games will be played at the Port Adelaide stadium and, if required, overflow games will be scheduled at Wayville.

Entry details can be found at: http://www.bearcats.net.au/Bearcat%20Carnival.html
or contact via email: carnival@bearcats.net.au