[quote]Iron Beast wrote:
OBoile wrote:
2. I think you want to AVOID too much conditioning until May. This is pretty much what Cressey’s ultimate offseason says. Why? Because building basketball conditioning and increasing size/strength/explosiveness are pretty much impossible to do at the same time. For now concentrate on getting stronger and faster and do a lot of skill work (post moves etc.) plus play pickup games a couple of times per week. Try to get the most bang for your buck by playing only with high-level competition. Then once May comes around, start to work on conditioning while trying to maintain your gains in strength. You can get in good shape in a couple of months and if you listen to what I say you would have 3 - especially if you are already okay from playing pickup games a couple of times per week. If you were already on the team I’d say wait until July or August, but you want to be in top shape for August since you have to make the team. The main thing to remember is that your tryouts are in August, not April. You don’t need to be in game shape in April.
A well thought out answer and that is something that is a rare commodity on this site.
All your points were very good. My only thought is that Cressey might have been constructing that program with current players in mind who have just finished the regular season.
This guy has been partying and has probably at his most deconditioned state for a number of years seeing he was a regular player throughout high school. I’d say this guy needs to put a big of work into his aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. Not pointless miles upon miles, but something short, sharp and specific to the game.
I just think there is nothing worse than someone dragging ass at the first few practices. Seeing he has a good 8 months until practice starts, I’d be training with the goal to arrive a front runner and give himself every chance. The fact that he has had a year out of the game may work against him, however, turning up in great condition is always a big tick in the coaches eyes.
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Good point. I absolutely agree that coming to tryouts in top shape is a must. I do think that playing ball a couple of times a week for the first few months and then really focusing on conditioning leading up to tryouts would be enough. While pick-up won’t get anyone close to the condition they need to be in, it will cause a lot of improvement for someone who hasn’t been all that active. Just like with weights, you don’t need to follow an “advanced” workout right away (take that from someone who knows first hand - playing ball for the first time in a year after I got my Master’s was murder, and it was against a bunch of old guys from my work). I said start conditioning in May because I believe that a decent base can be built by playing ball twice a week until then and that 3 months would be enough time to get into really good shape. But, I think that is really dependant on the individual. DukeBoSox if you feel you need to start earlier then by all means do so.
As for playing pickup I think the key is to really focus your efforts. You only have so much time/energy so when you do anything make sure it has a purpose. When you go to shoot around, have a detailed plan about what you want to work on. When you lift have a similar plan. When you play, try to make it against good competition. I don’t think playing against low-level competition (like me) will be an efficient use of your time. So, if you play pick-up, try to do find a good game. Does your school have intramaurals? If so, play in the top level there. Someone else mentioned trying to find out where the varsity guys play in the summer. That was a good idea too.
A little disclaimer: I believe I’m giving you good advice, but I am by no means an expert. I’m basically just telling you my interpritation of what I have read in Cressey’s Offseason manual and on Joe Defranco’s site. I would strongly encourage you to read as much as you can from those two and some of the other authors here. Kelly Bagget is also really good IMO. Really, all of them say pretty much the same thing. Much more similarities than differences. Eric Cressey’s offseason manual basically discusses your exact situation except for the fact that you want to be peaking during the tryouts instead of during the season since you still have to make the team.