It’s November and basketball season is here.  This means tryouts are just around the corner.

If you are interested in joining the iSchool basketball team, make sure to check your email for dates on when meetings and tryouts will take place.

There will be two iSchool basketball teams: Varsity and  Junior Varsity.  The teams will include kids from both Chelsea High School and iSchool.  Students in all grades can join the team depending on their performance at tryouts.

Basketball is a sport with many different skills.  We all know how important tryouts can be, so here are some skills that with practice you can all master.

Dribbling:  This is the thing that you do most in basketball.  As a basketball player, you want to be able to have complete control of the ball.  You also want to be able to have dribbles that can fool your defenders or “break their ankles.”  It’s important to work hard.  As the great Allen Iverson said, “When you work hard, good things happen.”

 Here are some tips on how to improve your dribbling:Take a walk outside and for most of the time just dribble a basketball.  This will help you get used to dribbling a basketball to the point where you can do it without looking down at the ball.  On your walk, make sure to switch hands once in awhile so you can work with both.  You can also try some fancy dribbles as well, like in between the legs or around the back.

1. Set up some obstacles around a gym or yard and dribble through them as fast as you can.  You can use cones, poles, or chairs.  This will help you create a game-like scenario, in which the obstacles represent the defenders.
2. Go to a basketball court and play some one on one basketball.  1 vs 1 basketball is all about how you’re going to beat your defender.  The most effective way can be a flashy dribble that tricks the defender.  1 vs 1 will help you try your new dribbles on defenders.

Shooting:  One of most key factors in basketball is shooting.  Being able to knock down three point shots from beyond the hoop is vital.  Your jumpshot must be effective and able to shoot from all over the court.  As the great Ray Allen quoted, “I’m always ready to step up and  take that shot.”  Here are some tips on how to improve your shooting:

1. Choose a jumpshot and practice it over and over.  Go to a basketball court and just shoot.
2. Practice shooting with defenders guarding you.  In a real game you aren’t going to have all the time and space to shoot.  Many times your shot will be contested.
3. Play fun shooting games with other basketball players.  Some of these games include knockout or around the world.  This is a fun way to improve your shooting skills.

Defense:  Now that you can score points for your offense, it’s time to prevent the opposing team from scoring.  Everyone has heard the saying “offense wins games defense wins championships.”  You must be prepared to play defense just as well as offense  to be successful.  As the great Kawhi Leonard said, “When our time comes, I’ll be ready.”  Here are some tips on how to improve your defensive skills:

1. Study offensive moves and find ways to shut them down.  If you are facing an opponent who uses one move all the time, find a way to stop it.
2. Always be attentive.  As a defender you must find the perfect timing to defend and steal or block the basketball.  This takes total attentiveness and waiting for the perfect opportunity.

If you master these three skills with these tips, you can have a good chance of making the team.  Just remember that you must work hard for your goal; it isn’t going to come easy.  Goodluck!