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 Olympic and pro basketball legend Teresa Edwards on what you need to know before the season starts
It’s the anticipation of getting on the court. That’s one of the things that Teresa Edwards remembers most about her playing days. Ask her and she’ll tell you that even before she stepped on the court, her anticipation was soothed by the hours and hours she put into preparing for the game.
“You have to be excited and rejuvenated about the game,” she says. “Once I got onto the court I was so ready to play. The basketball court was like candyland to me. What I encourage any young player to be is passionate about the game and to have fun. Young players should be anxious to learn and to get better all the time.”
And it’s not all about shooting and dribbling. It’s about working on fundamentals such as speed and endurance – qualities that can help prepare any basketball player for the demand the game puts on your body. “These are things [speed and endurance exercises] that will get you through those first few practices of the new season,” she says. “You have to be ready to play.”
Edwards also preaches the virtues of footwork, calling it one of the most important aspects of a player’s basketball game. “Footwork is part of the whole process because this is where you get your balance and coordination skills,” she says. “[Improving on your footwork] will help you break down your game. These are the types of things that stay with me – the parts that are the old school aspects of the game.”
So how can a young player work on her game in the off-season. Edwards offers the following advice:
• Attend as many basketball camps as you can – learning is the ultimate form of practice
• Iron out as many fundamentals as possible in your game – work with a personal instructor or find a good instructional camp (such as an On Court Player Development® Clinic)
• Work on your conditioning – build your speed and endurance by running sprints, laps, etc. Being properly conditioned will set you above the crowd.
“The most important thing to remember is never cheat on your drills,” she says. “Remember, the harder you go today, the further you can go tomorrow. You have to think like that.” OC
“The harder you go today, the further you can go tomorrow.”
Listen to Teresa Edwards’ interview now |
