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Step 2 for playing in the zone:  sustained performance

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 second building block to playing the zone is sustained performance at a high level:

The next important aspect of the zone is that your high level of play is sustained for a long period of time.  It's not just one good shot or one good play.  It's good shot, after good shot, after good shot.  Its making good play after good play.  Now whether it lasts for 5 mintues or 25 minutes depends on a lot of factors.  But in short, the zone is about playing a at a high level for an extended period of time.

Playing at a high level requires the basketball skills to do so (things such as shooting ability, dribbling skills, etc.).  But it also requires a high level of athletic ability as well.  Athletic ability can be broken down into several areas:

- Stamina
- Quickness
- Footspeed
- Jumping ability
- Strength

If you're going to play at a high level, and do so for an extended period of time, you have to be in great shape, and have solid athletic ability. If you have trouble running up and down the floor once or twice without bending down and grabbing your knees because you're out of breath, well guess what?  You're going to have a tough time outplaying your competition, and a very tough time ever getting yourself into the zone.

Playing in the zone requires big-time baketball ability, and at the same time, a high-level of athletic ability as well.  Playing good basketball means getting up and down the court on fast breaks (and back on defense).  It means moving your feet to get open for passes and shots.  It means jumping for rebounds, or to tip or grab passes, or to shoot a jump shot.

Don't underestimate how important it is to be in good shape, and have the strength and stamina to play the game at a high level.  Remember, as a basketabll player, you're an athlete first.  The game requires you to get up and down the floor, move, and be strong. You have to have solid athletic skills to be a good player.  And you have to have solid athletic skills and be a good player before you can even think about getting yourself 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.

Get more tips on how to play in the zone

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