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Step 3 for playing in the zone: intense focus
Our first article broke down the basic elements of what the zone really is (if you didn't read our first article, click here to read it now).
The third building block to playing the zone is having the ability to play with intense focus which leads to the ability to finish plays:
The zone is more than just playing well, and doing so for a long period of time. Playing good basketball is, well, playing good ball. But being in the "zone" is more than just playing good basketball. It's marked by a feeling that the action has slowed, an increased awareness of the other players on the court, and a hightened awareness (and even anticipation) of what is going to happen next. I categorize these feelings as "focus". It is an intese focus that puts you at a level above everyone else on the court.
Building block one of getting in the zone is basketball ability. To play at a high level and get yourself in the zone, you have to have the basketball skills to do so (shooting ability, ball handling and passing skills, rebounding, shot-blocking, court awareness, etc.).
Building block two to getting in the zone is the athletic ability to do so for a long period of time. The zone isn't about hitting one good shot, or making one great play. It's about good play, after good play, after good play.
Building block three to getting in the zone is developing your ability to focus on the basketball court. Developing your ability to focus isn't easy, but there are several ways to help develop and fine-tune this aspect of your game.
Get experience playing against good competition
One of the best ways to develop your feel for the game, your poise, and your ability to focus is to play lots of basketball against solid, high-level competition. There is no substitute for helping you become a better player than this. Playing against good competition forces you to bring your A-game, and it forces you to play at a high level (which means finishing shots, making good decisions, learning the flow of the game, etc.).
Work on finishing plays
One sign that a player is "focused" is their ability to finish plays on a consistent basis. This is a skill that develops over time and with lots of mental effort. Why is it that the ability to finish plays shows how much focus a player has?
Because finishing plays requires full focus through the completion of the shot, or completion of a play. Focus is what allows a player to make multiple moves in a play, and see the play through to completion. For example, say you are on the wing, ready to make a move to the basket. You pump fake the defense, drive to the left into the lane, give a head-fake to the help-side D, take one more dribble to the basket, and power up a shot on the other side of the rim. That is an example of estreme focus, since it's human nature to lose focus after any one of those individual moves.
By practicing multiple moves on a play, practicing finishing plays even when fouled or bumped, practicing things that are outside of your comfort zone, you've develop and fine tune your ability to focus. And this is a key element of playing at a high level and developing your ability to get in the zone.
Click here to go back to the Zone section of the site and get more information, tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your level of play and get yourself playing in the zone.
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