Tips for starting sharp?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I'm kinda like stripes (well, in a very limited way). My wake up call came from missing a backcourt violation right off the tip a year or two back. My pre-game now includes watching for this, and I specifically call it out as a way of demonstrating that we are in the game from the opening tip.

BTW, I believe any time you can find something concrete to watch for or do during a situation, it works better than the more passive "don't miss anything" approach.

Mine came a few seasons ago. Tip, long pass, foul under the bucket. I was the U in 2-person and barely had gotten half way to the baseline and had a lousy view on the contact and passed. I learned to go and if the ball shoots the other way, my partner will adjust and become the lead.