Play smarter basketball.  Play better basketball.

10-steps to elevate your game and get in the zone

Step 7: routine

One of the best ways to help yourself play your best basketabll and put yourself in a position to play in the zone is to use routines to get ready for games, and in free throw situations.

Routines are simply actions that you do the same way every time to get yourself ready.  By doing the same things in the same way, you subconsciously get yourself ready for what is about to take place.  Getting yourself ready means that you calm yourself (calm your nerves), and get yourself focused on the task at hand.

You can develop routines for various parts of your game, but the most common times that routines are used and can be effective are in pre-game preparation, and at the free throw line.

Most people are a little nervous before a game, and so routines can help smooth out nerves as you get ready to play.  They also get you physically ready (warmed up), and prepped to play (getting your jump shot grooved and your dribbling ready to do).  I call this part of it "getting a feel for the ball".  By shooting jump shots from specific spots on the floor (usually the spots you'll likely take shots from in a game), and doing various dribbling drills, you get a feel for the ball so that you're ready for action once the game starts.

In addition to having a set routine that helps you get ready for a game, having a set routine at the free throw line is also a great way to improve your performance.  Since free throws are very much the same each time you step to the line (your the same distance from the basket, no one id guarding you, you have the same amount of time to shoot the shot), it's the perfect situation to implement a routine that'll help you increase your shooting percentage.

Each player will develop a slightly different routine, so you'll have to use one that comes naturally to you.  But a basic routine at the free throw line would go something like this:

- Step up to the line and set your feet
- Picture yourself shooting a perfect shot, take a practice shot without the ball
- Take a deep breath and receive the ball from the ref
- Take two dribbles
- Bend your knees
- Shoot the ball with perfect form

The key is to use the same routine each time, and get into a groove so it is almost automatic.  Deep breath, recieve ball, bend knees, extend shooting arm, and swish.  You almost become a machine at the line.  All you have to do is go through the routine you've practice so many times before and the result is a made free throw.

Many of the best players in the game have routines they follow each and every game, and each and every time they step to the free throw line.  Developing and sticking to routines is one good way to help you improve as a player, and it'll help you get into 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.

Get more tips on how to play in the zone

Return to Home Page