Play smarter basketball. Play better basketball.
Step 1 for playing in the zone: playing at a high level
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 first building block to playing the zone is playing at a high level:
At its most basic, the zone is a level of very high performance. This means that you're playing great basketball. Your shot if falling. Your passes are on target and seem to lead to a score. And the rest of your game (dribbling, rebounding, and defense) are all at extrememly high levels.
Since playing at a high level is a basic requirement for getting into the zone, it stands to reason that to get in the zone you have to have the ability to play good basketball. And to play good basketball, you have to work at it.
If you can't hit a jump shot, can't dribble, aren't a very good rebounder, and can't pass the ball, you're not likely to get much playing time. And if you aren't good at playing the game, you're not going to get in the zone. Period. End of story.
So the basic building block to improving your performance, playing at a high level, and working to get in the zone is working on your game until you become very, very good at it. This sounds very basic, and it is. But you'd be amazed at how many people think they're going to become good basketball players but don't want to put the time and effort into making it happen. They think it's just going to happen on its own.
Well, it's not.
The only way to become a good player is to work extremely hard at your game. The great basketball players make the game look easy because they put in the time and effort to make themselves great. You name the player (Kobe, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron, Tim Duncan...pick anyone you want past or present), and I guarantee you they've spend years and years, and thousands of hours in the gym, working on their games and making themselves better players.
If you want to become a great player, put the time and effort into working on your game. This is the only way to give yourself a chance to make it happen. Once you build a foundation of ability, and develop confidence in yourself and your game, you'll put yourself in a position to perform at a high level, and do so for an extended period of time. This is the only way to play at your peak, and the only way to put yourself in a position to play in the zone.
Work hard at your game. Develop solid skills, and a solid all-around game. This is the first step to getting yourself in a position to play 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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