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NFT: Pickup Basketball

Giantology : 7/3/2018 2:08 pm
A little over a year ago, I started getting really into pickup ball. A younger co-worker got me to start playing a couple times a week, and now I'm pretty much obsessed. Considering my basketball experience prior to this was minimal (e.g. once in a great while shooting around), there are still a lot of things I'm learning and figuring out at the early age of 32 (lol).

After a year+, I've turned into a pretty consistent shooter (especially from deep) and I can play decent defense. But, there are things I really want to get better at. Some (like being able to hustle longer and harder or improving my handle) are just a matter of me exercising, training, and practicing. For others, I'm not sure what to do.

The biggest thing I'm trying to figure out is court vision- like understanding where and when to both 1) set screens/picks and 2) how to find screens/picks to get open more often. I also want to get better with my footwork.

There is a plethora of YouTube videos and how to guides/articles out there, but I wanted to see what BBI had to suggest in terms of advice or resources (blogs/articles, videos, drills, exercises). I've even considered finding a coach/trainer to do a couple sessions with me. Got anything?
go to a basketball camp when on vacation  
gtt350 : 7/3/2018 2:48 pm : link
get in great cardio shape. and never just stand around. always keep moving.
get someone you play with and work on some give and goes and backdoors.
also start dribbing with your weaker hand until you can go both ways
I coached a little youth basketball a bit so I have a couple of ideas  
Heisenberg : 7/3/2018 3:13 pm : link
1) It's not easy to get in sync in a pickup game. The really smooth in game interactions mostly come from having a system and playing together, so set your expectations of smooth offense accordingly. Talk to your team mates in game or before the game

2) I'd definitely look at youtubes of pick and roll. It's a very simple play and the cornerstone of modern offenses. Learn the roll of the ball handler and what to do when the defender fights under the screen or goes over. If you're a good shooter work on shooting off the dribble and this could work for you.

Also look at how to play as the roll man. A lot of times, you can help another teammate by getting them open for a shot and even if they don't pass, crash to the hoop for weakside rebounding. There's a ton of ideas there.

3) If you're gonna try and come off a screen, there's one simple rule. When your teammate sets it you must come around that screen hip to hip. Make that defender either be behind you or jump around it.

4) I tell my kids to have a clock in their head, 1sec, 2 sec and when they get to three, they have three choices. Cut to the hoop, set a screen for a teammate to cut, set a pick for the ball handler. Wait too long and they'll hear it from me. If your defender takes his eyes off you, make a cut. Put your hand up and go.

5) Keep good spacing. It's hard to do any of this stuff if everyone is trying to post up their guy like Olajuwon. If your neighbor makes a cut or penetrates, fill in his spot on the floor and keep the defense honest. Be open for a kickout from dribble penetration, especially if you can shoot.
Thank you both. Very much appreciated!  
Giantology : 7/3/2018 3:44 pm : link
gtt - I'm definitely considering a camp or some practice sessions for sure. Always working on moving around as much as possible, I've been doing more HIIT style sprinting workouts as of late to build up my endurance and speed.

Heisenberg - lots of fantastic coach's advice there and plenty for me to keep in mind. You're absolutely on the money when you talk about the lack of smoothness in pickup games. And the advice about keeping a clock in my head is great - sometimes I think I actually move too much and pausing for a second or two will let me get a better look at where and when to go.

I have a decent understanding of the PNR thanks to some extensive hours of NBA 2k but my handle isn't quite there to where I feel comfortable running it as a ballhandler. But I will definitely work on getting there. I may not have the skills yet, but the will is there.
also always crash the boards on both ends  
gtt350 : 7/3/2018 3:51 pm : link
the worst thing about pickup games is the one jock shot artist everytime he touches the ball
RE: Thank you both. Very much appreciated!  
Heisenberg : 7/3/2018 4:09 pm : link
In comment 14005838 Giantology said:
Quote:
gtt - I'm definitely considering a camp or some practice sessions for sure. Always working on moving around as much as possible, I've been doing more HIIT style sprinting workouts as of late to build up my endurance and speed.

Heisenberg - lots of fantastic coach's advice there and plenty for me to keep in mind. You're absolutely on the money when you talk about the lack of smoothness in pickup games. And the advice about keeping a clock in my head is great - sometimes I think I actually move too much and pausing for a second or two will let me get a better look at where and when to go.

I have a decent understanding of the PNR thanks to some extensive hours of NBA 2k but my handle isn't quite there to where I feel comfortable running it as a ballhandler. But I will definitely work on getting there. I may not have the skills yet, but the will is there.


No worries. Moving around all the time is good but a pause here and there can also help create separation. If you pause, the tendency for the defender is to track the ball. Float a bit further out of view and then make a cut. If you're far away from the ball (like the other side of the floor, it's better to keep spacing sometimes than move. It's more important to move when the ball is on your side especially if the ball handler is dribbling toward you. if he's not driving but is dribbling in your direction, that's when you definitely have to make some kind of basketball move. cut, screen or pick.

If there's one or two guys that you usually play with, some times you could get a little two man game (pick and roll, give and go).

Lastly, if you're a good shooter, the one basketball move to master is shot fake and pulling it down and attacking the basket. The idea is to get the defense to commit to defending the outside shot and then using that moment to get past the defender.
Watch your achilles!  
DC Gmen Fan : 7/3/2018 4:48 pm : link
I know of no less than 5 people in their 30s who have ruptured their achilles playing pickup bball, my brother included.

32.....time to  
BCD : 7/3/2018 4:48 pm : link
hang up the sneakers. You should have played enough during your youth ....the only thing you'll get out of this injuries to layout of work.
If you are in good enough shape you can play in your early to mid  
fredgbrown : 7/3/2018 4:58 pm : link
30s and be pretty good. I played in my last 30s to mid 40s and didn't suffer any injuries and was quite good playing pickup basketball..some of my teammates thought I was under 30..
Biggest tip from an athletic standpoint  
giantsfan44ab : 7/3/2018 4:59 pm : link
-yoga. I’m tall but can’t jump but it’s crazy how much yoga helps your body. I don’t even do it often, but when I do and play basketball the next day I feel springy and can finish from weird angles. Try out just a class or two and then play, trust me.
You don't take charges/offensive fouls  
SHO'NUFF : 7/3/2018 5:01 pm : link
in pickup games, you pansy.
RE: Biggest tip from an athletic standpoint  
fredgbrown : 7/3/2018 5:01 pm : link
In comment 14005930 giantsfan44ab said:
Quote:
-yoga. I’m tall but can’t jump but it’s crazy how much yoga helps your body. I don’t even do it often, but when I do and play basketball the next day I feel springy and can finish from weird angles. Try out just a class or two and then play, trust me.


My best shot was the fadeaway jumper..unblockable unless the guy guarding me was 6"5 or so...
Just keep playing  
JerseyCityJoe : 7/3/2018 5:01 pm : link
Playing with and against better players is the only thing that will up your game. I played well into my early 40's without any major injuries and just loved BBall competition. It didn't hurt that I grew up playing against smart, tough and aggressive guys since grade school. Enjoy it while you can.
and don't play against  
SHO'NUFF : 7/3/2018 5:02 pm : link
Filipinos.
Be careful, I'm almost done playing ball for good  
DennyInDenville : 7/3/2018 5:02 pm : link
It's certainly taxing unless you play in a Gym.. gym floor helps a bit though

Try to play big, shoot 3s, and be able to post/rebound.

Don't even bother trying to become a good ball handler, you have to learn that as a kid. You could develop handles but it'll take lots of time and you'll never be AI with it. I feel your pain. I was good at basketball and loved playing it, but being 6-1 and not ever developing a good handle frustrated me enough that I played more baseball instead.

I played like Shaq though, was a monster in the paint and couldn't hit foul shots. I was able to make some 3s though. I was an amazing shot blocker as well. If I was 5-6 inches taller I would have definitely kept with it
Oh, sorry, my advice is to use the stairmaster at the gym  
DennyInDenville : 7/3/2018 5:03 pm : link
Helps build up your legs and endurance for the court

Also HIIT on the bike helps also. Or manual HIIT on the stairmaster
RE: RE: Biggest tip from an athletic standpoint  
fredgbrown : 7/3/2018 5:03 pm : link
In comment 14005935 fredgbrown said:
Quote:
In comment 14005930 giantsfan44ab said:


Quote:


-yoga. I’m tall but can’t jump but it’s crazy how much yoga helps your body. I don’t even do it often, but when I do and play basketball the next day I feel springy and can finish from weird angles. Try out just a class or two and then play, trust me.



My best shot was the fadeaway jumper..unblockable unless the guy guarding me was 6"5 or so...


Oh by the way I am 6"1 - 6"2..
RE: 32.....time to  
Sec 103 : 7/3/2018 8:14 pm : link
In comment 14005909 BCD said:
Quote:
hang up the sneakers. You should have played enough during your youth ....the only thing you'll get out of this injuries to layout of work.

BS- I still play and I'm 62 and we play with younger guys like yourself... Never say die!
Played pickup ball all my life ... one primary rule I always followed  
baadbill : 7/3/2018 9:56 pm : link
...never, absolutely never, call a foul on another player

...always, absolutely always, call myself for committing a foul

(i.e. if my team got possession, I'd call myself for the foul, and be sure the ball went back to the shooter)
RE: RE: 32.....time to  
fredgbrown : 7/4/2018 12:14 pm : link
In comment 14006056 Sec 103 said:
Quote:
In comment 14005909 BCD said:


Quote:


hang up the sneakers. You should have played enough during your youth ....the only thing you'll get out of this injuries to layout of work.


BS- I still play and I'm 62 and we play with younger guys like yourself... Never say die!



WTG SEC show these youngsters what pickup basketball is all about...We should get together a BBI team...lol
Don't want to be a downer  
BobOnLI : 7/4/2018 4:43 pm : link
But you will get hurt. You need to develop self protective instincts when young to play pickup B ball.
Same age play a ton of pickup ball  
Jesse B : 7/4/2018 6:29 pm : link
Stand on the arc and shoot threes. Dont get hurt that way.
RE: Played pickup ball all my life ... one primary rule I always followed  
schabadoo : 7/4/2018 6:59 pm : link
In comment 14006167 baadbill said:
Quote:
...never, absolutely never, call a foul on another player

...always, absolutely always, call myself for committing a foul

(i.e. if my team got possession, I'd call myself for the foul, and be sure the ball went back to the shooter)


I don't want anyone calling a foul on themselves if I have the ball. Too easy to stop advantageous situations, like hacking someone on a 3 on 1.
to your 3rd point  
jestersdead : 7/5/2018 10:48 am : link
court vision is something that you get a feel for after many games. A good idea is to watch as many games on TV as possible and look at the off ball play (more in college). When someone sets a pick for you, first thing to do is read how your defender is playing you. Set the defender up with a v cut, walk him down and then cut back up to the pick. Stay tight on the pick so it actually works, nothing worse than a guy who runs 3 feet away from the pick. When moving towards the pick continue to see where your defender is and what the space is in front of the pick.

You'll have 3 options off the pick, 1-curl the pick (defender is trailing you) 2-veer off the pick to the top side (defender slides under the pick) 3- fade the pick (defender jumps the pick) and you fade back for a jumper. All 3 scenarios create the next play for you, drive to the hoop, drive and dish, fade and shoot, fade 1-2 dribbles and pull up, etc. Once again, this will become easier as you play more.

Also, there isn't anything wrong with calling a foul when its legit. Little bumps and touches should be played through, but if you can hear the slap or your legs get taken out, its a foul and I dont care who bitches.
RE: RE: Played pickup ball all my life ... one primary rule I always followed  
baadbill : 7/5/2018 12:59 pm : link
In comment 14006615 schabadoo said:
Quote:
In comment 14006167 baadbill said:


Quote:


...never, absolutely never, call a foul on another player

...always, absolutely always, call myself for committing a foul

(i.e. if my team got possession, I'd call myself for the foul, and be sure the ball went back to the shooter)



I don't want anyone calling a foul on themselves if I have the ball. Too easy to stop advantageous situations, like hacking someone on a 3 on 1.


Yea, I should clarify, I don’t ever call a foul on myself unless I’ve caused turnover in possession .... I mean duh ... we don’t shoot free throws so calling a foul on yourself without having obtained possession would be a pretty fucking stupid concept ... I don’t know how your mind even goes there
2 simple pieces of advice  
hitdog42 : 7/5/2018 1:31 pm : link
1) dont run/drift to the ball- spacing is key, and good players get most annoyed when you clog the half court
2) when you are away from the ball and cut... always be sure to continue your cut back out to the 3pt line. nothing worse than a guy cutting and bringing his defender into the lane and staying there.
RE: 2 simple pieces of advice  
Jon in NYC : 7/5/2018 1:33 pm : link
In comment 14006984 hitdog42 said:
Quote:
1) dont run/drift to the ball- spacing is key, and good players get most annoyed when you clog the half court
2) when you are away from the ball and cut... always be sure to continue your cut back out to the 3pt line. nothing worse than a guy cutting and bringing his defender into the lane and staying there.


This is great advice. Really great players have a good idea of floor spacing at all times. It's okay to be on the other side of the court when your team has the ball. Things change quickly.
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