Getting Warmed Up

[gojeremy]

I'm not sure why but it seems like it takes me ten minutes of game time to get myself comfortable and confident during a game. I still make decent calls but my whistle and voice are a bit weak. After this 10 minute period I'm much stronger with voice and my whistle and I feel much more confident on the court. Any tips on how to come out sharp immediately?

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by gojeremy

I'm not sure why but it seems like it takes me ten minutes of game time to get myself comfortable and confident during a game. I still make decent calls but my whistle and voice are a bit weak. After this 10 minute period I'm much stronger with voice and my whistle and I feel much more confident on the court. Any tips on how to come out sharp immediately?

For the mental part of things, perhaps you and your partners need a better pregame discussion. Talk about plays you had this season, or things you read here. That will get your mind on basketball, and what goes on during a game.

For the physical part, try doing some stretching and calisthenics (jumping jacks, etc) before going out to the court. You should do being that anyway, as you never want to work cold muscles.

[JRutledge]

If concentration is a problem, you are not doing what it takes to get your mind off other things.

Show up earlier to the game site. Have a good pregame with yourself and partner. Read the rulebok or caseplays at the game site or before you get to the game site.

Or even eat better foods to keep you healthy and energized.

If you are having fun, concentration shoud be easier as well. This is a "job" on some level, but you should not treat it as one all the time.

Peace

[Rich]

Dynamic stretching:

Dynamic stretching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mentally, you need to figure out how to be sharp from the opening tip. Challenge yourself mentally, have a good pregame, etc.

[Sharpshooternes]

My worst games are when I am rushed. I try to be to the site at least 45 minutes before game time. This gives me time to get changed do some jumping jacks, get warmed up and review my personal goal that I want to work on for the game. I also get ready for my pregame if I am the R. I try to have at least a 15 minute pregame but it is usually difficult to get people there early enough to gt that in. They usually show up 15 min. before we need to be on the floor and then take that time to get ready. If I am late or running a little behind, my whole game can be off and it takes a few unites to get into it.

It's all about routine. Pregame discussion, pregame snack, pregame stretch. Counting players on the court, talking with the coaches, talking with your partners. I do some self-talk to review PCA's and mechanics; go for a little run with 3 minutes left to get my legs working. Pop in the gum with 1 minute left.

Game time.

More self-talk: white is on defense, blue setting screens. Blue 12 set a marginal screen, watch him for next time. White 55 likes to bang in the post. Ball OOB off defense, point left. Ball off offense, point right.

The good news is you usually have a few possessions to get oriented before you have a whistle.