Expert: Bob Anagnostou - 12/3/2007

Question
Hey coach, I had a question about scoring in games.  I cant seem to score that much in any given game.  I have problems doing so.  When I shoot around, or practice, I do fine but when I get in the game it seems as though I cant put the ball in the hoop.  I dont know when to shoot, or when to pass.  I can leave my defender easily for an ok shot but when I get that shot, or even a wide open shot, I think to myself just as I go for it, "What if I miss? This shot is open for me and if I miss then people will think I suck and I wont score."  And then when I think like that I miss it.  Also I havent been able to finish off the drive to the hoop lately, it seems like my layups always roll off, are too hard or off the mark.  I talked to my coach about scoring and he told me I was being selfish.  I think he misunderstands me.  I want to be the all around kind of player, the guy who can do it ALL, score, pass, rebound, steal, everything.  And I don't want to be a jerk and hog the ball so I can score all the points, but I want to rack up a decent amount of points, just like everyone does.  But I dont have much experence in games and it seems like nothing ever goes my way when I play. He tells me I force the shot, or I rush things, and I should just run the play, but if I do that, how am I going to get my chance to score?  This is my first year when I am actually getting some time to play, I am a sophmore in highschool on my school's JV team.  And so I'm not too familiar with the flow of the game.  I think one of the things I need to work on is my dribbling and making sure I do it with my head up.  How can I improve that, also, how can I improve my court vision so that I can look for the good lanes to drive, pass, etc.  And finally, how do I know when to pass, when to shoot and basically how to make the right decisions when I play so I can be a threat and score more?  Please give me advise for my problems coach, I love the game and I want to do well.

Answer
Dear friend,

The key to play good in games is called self-confidence. As i can see, you say before you shoot: "if i miss, they will hate me and think i suck.

That's not true. You have to shoot or you won't do nothing.
A friend of mine says: "100% of the shots you don't make, go out"..if you got what i mean. Simply talking if you don't attempt shots and say that's in and think positively, you won't score. It's so simple.

And always keep your head up and work your periferal vision in order to see a wide open teamate who has a better chance to score. Remember that a shot makes 1 person happy (the one that hits it), but a great assist makes 2 happy.

Yours,
Coach B.Anagnostou