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How to Help Someone Who Is in a Basketball Slump

Sep 29, 2011 | By Andrew Reiner
How to Help Someone Who Is in a Basketball Slump
Photo Credit Jayme Thornton/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Basketball players dream of playing "in the zone," when the game seemingly slows down in a player's mind, allowing him to make plays effortlessly and score at will. However, while a player may occasionally enjoy a dream performance, he may also occasionally get stuck in his worst nightmare on the basketball court -- a scoring slump. Even the best basketball players struggle to perform from time to time, but by refocusing a player's mind and redirecting his energy, you can help a player break out of a slump quickly and get back to playing at his peak.

Step 1

Devote extra time before or after a practice session or during a pre-game shoot-around to reviewing fundamental principles of a player's basic skills, such as shooting and ballhandling. Keep a slumping player focused on keeping a low, protected dribble that will allow her to advance to scoring spots quickly and without wasted motion. When she finds the spots on the floor where she is most comfortable shooting, encourage the player to jump high into the air on her shot from a low, balanced stance, instead of fading away from the basket. Make sure a shooter follows through toward the basket on her shot and continue practicing dribbling and shooting until the skills feel natural to the player once again.

Step 2

Encourage a slumping player to visualize a successful shot or play, preparing him mentally for success on the court. Before his team hits the court for pre-game warm-ups, a player should spend 10 to 15 minutes visualizing the plays his team will run, the spots on the court from which he wants to shoot, how he can reach those spots on the court and how his defenders will try to prevent him from scoring. Then, when the game begins, a slumping player can feel better prepared for the action that unfolds and will feel confident taking shots without hesitation.

Step 3

Simplify a slumping player's game plan by concentrating his efforts first on defense and rebounding. By focusing on her defensive performance, a player can expel nervous energy while also helping her team succeed in a critical facet of the game, building up her confidence. Better yet, by forcing a turnover or a contested shot which her team can easily rebound, a slumping player can take advantage of more scoring opportunities on fast breaks, when she can more easily take high-percentage shots around the basket against a defense scrambling to recover.

Step 4

Instruct a player struggling to make shots to earn trips to the free-throw line, drawing fouls whether by driving to the basket or by putting back missed shots at the offensive glass. When a player shoots free throws, he can pause to catch his breath and focus on correcting his shooting motion without the pressures of a ticking clock or an aggressive defender. Once a player converts the high-percentage shots found at the free-throw line, he can often gain confidence that will allow him to score from other spots on the court.

Tips and Warnings

  • Remind a slumping player to remain relaxed as she passes, dribbles or shoots on the court, ridding her body of the muscle tension that will send her shots sailing off target. Teach a player to focus on her preparation during practice and repeat those same actions simply and efficiently during games.
  • Do not allow a player to hesitate before shooting or driving to the basket. Even a split-second of hesitation gives a defender more time to react to an offensive player, allowing a defender to challenge the offensive player's every move. A brief moment of hesitation also gives an offensive player extra time to tense up and visualize failure, instead of confidently making an aggressive play.

References

Article reviewed by RandyS Last updated on: Sep 29, 2011

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