Even with basketball, hope springs eternal. A baseball phrase, but true for this sport too. Hoopla – the first day of basketball practice is explained below.
In the Northeast, outdoor temperatures drop and the winds pick up in October. Shorts to pants and sweatshirts to coats. Soon its too cool and uncomfortable hanging out or playing outdoors. Time for recreation indoors and games inside a gymnasium.
This Muse loves fall. No, not because of agricultural fairs, football, Major League Baseball playoffs, or that the summer heat dissipates, tourists depart coastal towns, leaves turn brilliant colors, kids return to school, pumpkin spice is in everything, chestnuts drop, or that Macoun apples are in season. No, this Muse loves fall as it signals the first day of basketball practice. The long slog of this elegant sport that begins in the fall, spans all winter, usually ends in the spring, and for the NBA often endures into the summer. The NBA starts training camp the first week of October. Women’s and Men’s College Basketball (WCBB and MCBB) used to start October 15th, but now its earlier this year on September 24th. High schools have tryouts in November around Thanksgiving.
The first day of basketball practice is the BEST! The summer improvement regimen always pays off. Real improvement and progress as a player are made alone during the summer. It shows up for the new season that first day of practice. Injuries from the previous season are rehabilitated and healed. Sometimes new basketball gear gets issued on day one. It always looks neat, fresh, and cool-meaning hip. Thank you always to the gear gods and goddesses.
Its just terrific having teammates commit to the mandated schedule. Great seeing everyone daily. The team commitment takes precedent over non-academic and other personal interests. Basketball and the team are the focal point. By the nature of the demands, an in season baller becomes a better student and a more organized person. There is no choice. One must be better with time-management in season.
On day one, the heel blisters are the size of quarters. Eventually they turn into calluses and toughen the skin for the season. Shin splints appear up and down both legs. They, too, will heal and quiet down, but are initially crippling and hurt like the dickens. Ice, heat, frontal wall pushes and stretches, then repeat.
Repetition makes perfect. Repetition and strength training keep away the injury bug. The rash of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures in females is still higher than males, but not as prevalent as it was in the 1990s and 2000s. There is more knowledge and a greater commitment to the regimen of in-season physical trainers and out-of-season strength training. A more holistic approach toward strengthening all muscle groups.
During the early years, food and nutrition were historically not a point of emphasis. Nor were out-of-season personal trainers or specialty gymnasiums. Now these year-round fitness features, along with adult support, personal drive, and uber-competitiveness are considered normal must-haves, and givens for today’s players. Add a dose of hoop gifts. My gosh, greater athleticism and All-American status might have been realized for more players lacing it up during the early AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) years (1971-1983).
Now AAU and travel teams are more prevalent. However, perpetual game playing doesn’t translate into basketball improvement. Rather improving one’s hoop skills is an intentional activity. Focus on repeating drills that specifically improve a skill set. Start with fundamentals of the game. Running up and down the court doing the same things with a basketball all summer is not intentional or the recipe for improvement. As the Muse’s trainer says “no change, no change.” For high schoolers, playing different sports in the fall and spring broadens eye-hand coordination and gives your basketball muscle groups a much needed rest and break.
So here’s to the hoopla, the first day and week of basketball practice. Let the bright, orange leather balls fly through stiff, white nylon nets. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Listen to the squeaky clean sound of new sneakers upon the freshly swept and glistening hardwood floor doing defensive slides. Squeak, squeak, squeak. It should hurt and be exhausting. Know then that you are working hard enough. It should be fun too. The blisters and shin splints will calm down and vanish. Get the ice ready.
Build upon the hard work, the comradery with teammates, and move forward as a group committed to a single goal. Its the beginning of a new season! Hope springs eternal for more wins than losses. Good luck to all of the Ballers this season.
Image from Mason Recreation – George Mason University . No copyright infringement is intended.
