Expert: Mark Berrier - 9/1/2003

Question
I was recently scouted for some Super All-Net basketball team tryouts this upcoming thursday.  There is going to be some really good people there and i dont think im good enough.  Defensively i think i can guard them well but being productive on offense is my weakness.  Alot of people say if i play good Defense i can get on but these guys are lookiing for some offense.  What can i do to post up on people probably taller than me im 6'1 i can play positions 3 to 5 probably 1 and 2.  But i dont know how i can post up on people alot larger than me alot of times i can fake them out but still get swatted.  Alot of the time they dont move.  How can i beat people to the hoop off the dribble faster and umm how can i guard some one thats alot larger than me on the post when they get the ball ( i know about fronting the man and stuff but eventually they will get the ball) alot of the time they over power me to the court.  Well if you can help me its good but if you can't i understand because ive asked alot of people and they cant really help me.

Answer
Hello Elgin!

I can tell you from experience that coaches look for more than just scoring. I coached. I know.

I would work on the skills that make you a good player now. And don't try and do too much or more than you know you can do. Play within yourself.

On offense, I look for play-makers. They draw the defense in to commit them, then dish it to someone for a layup. They move the ball. They are decisive with their passes. Scoring is great, but making others look good will impress coaches. You don't have to dominate by size and strength. If that were so, Iverson wouldn't be an MVP type player.

On defense, just be tenacious. Hustle. Get to the spot first. Go where your man wants to go. Get there and beat him to the spot. If you are smaller, then you need to be quicker. Get in your man's face. Make it hard for him to score. Help on defense. Play like a team. That will get the coaches attention.

I hope this has been of some use to you. Good luck in your tryouts.

Mark Berrier