PICK UP GUIDELINES

One of those necessary evils of basketball is allowing your players to compete in pick-up games. These are obviously primarily done during the summer months but occasionally in the fall and spring as well.

About six years ago our staff decided we were going to give some structure to the summer games to keep them from becoming lay-up drills. You know the games — teams take turns running out for fast break lay-ups and not working on good half-court basketball fundamentals.

Our concern was that not only were they not getting the proper work in, but they were also developing bad habits they would have to spend time in the fall correcting. It’s the same as shooting. More players waste time going to the gym or the outdoor court down the block and just throw up shots instead of having a concentrated workout.

We decided we were going to take a look at some vital areas of how we play and make sure that they could be worked on during pick-up games. Since the NCAA rules do not allow us to observe the pick-up games, some general guidelines would not only improve play but also help with the safety factor. Often players can get hurt in pick-up games because they get too wild. Following are some guidelines that we chose to fit our program.

PICK UP GAME GUIDELINES

ALWAYS PLAY MAN-TO-MAN DEFENSE
NO SWITCHING
Good pressure on the basketball (even if you get beat on the drive)
Get a hand up on every shot
Make contact, blockout, and finish the possession

ALWAYS RUN MOTION OFFENSE
Spacing: High and Wide
Minimize your dribble usage
Take good shots
Set good screens to get your teammates open

START WITH HALF COURT GAMES
Even if you have enough for 5/5, start with a couple of half court games
Will help us to develop our man defense and offense principles

UTILIZE CONVERSION
After half court games, finish up with full court games
GET BACK ON DEFENSE
Even 4/4 games can be played full court

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY
3/3, 2/2, 1/1
Play, play, play

INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT
Each of you have a few things to work on
Make sure you apply them in pick-up

BE A GOOD TEAMMATE
Encourage teammates
Help freshman to understand offensive/defensive principles

PLAY HARD
Is there any other way?!

There will come a time when winter will ask,

"What have you done this summer?"