Attack the Game

There are so many ways to approach the game.  For every player in the world, there are at least that many ways to play the game.  But each player, within themselves, has an unlimited number of ways to approach and play the game.  For example, the way you play in a championship in Hong Kong is very different from the way you practice while grinding through exam week.  Just like the way you play with your friends at school is different from the way you practice by yourself.  Good and bad moods affect the way you play the game.  The beauty of the game lies in these choices, these approaches that are executed every time a player takes the court.  So many possibilities to explore (or not explore).

Yet much of the beauty in the game is lost in these possibilities and left undiscovered.  Generally speaking, there should really only be ONE way to the play the game—by attacking it.  No matter if you’re watching or playing, how you’re playing or who you’re playing, whether you’re keeping score, or if anyone is even watching you—you should attack the game. 

Attack is a verb, philosophy, and mentality that captures and describes the way we want to play and the way you should play.  It is a state of being, an on-court identity, and an approach that shapes your basketball style and performance.

Verb:

1. The goal of the offense is to score by attacking the basket area
2. This can be done off the dribble or by cutting
3. Attack is commonly used as a replacement for the word “drive”
4. The goal on defense is to attack the ball, meaning:
5. a) Aggressively pressure the ball handler
6. b) Physically pursue a loose ball or rebound
7. c) Elevate or extend into the passing gaps

Philosophy:

1. The game is more fun when you constantly look to attack (on offense and defense)
2. You play your best when you attack relentlessly
3. Your team is most effective when you constantly look to attack
4. Attacking puts opponents on their heels and gives you the advantage

Mindset:

• A consistently aggressive state of mind is a weapon on the court
• Aggressive on-court personalities are not built in—each player needs to:
  1. Embrace the idea of aggressiveness on the court (attacking mindset)
  2. Imagine your most aggressive self (consistent, competitive pursuit to win each game, quarter, play, shot)
  3. Develop your attacking mindset consistently
  4. Weaponize your basketball mentality
• Playing with an attack mindset makes you more confident on the court
  • You stay on high alert on the court (maximum awareness)
  • You become physically superior to your opponent by getting in elite shape
• A team full of attack-minded players is fierce and fearsome

The game of basketball has a way of rewarding aggressiveness over finesse and style.  Physical aggressiveness yields obvious results on the court in the form of rebounds, steals, loose balls, strong drives to the basket, among many unseen ways.  Attacking the game mentally is also extremely effective helping you analyze the action, find and exploit weaknesses, anticipate, gain confidence and an awareness and readiness for whatever unfolds.

The impact of attacking the game is not just limited to our practice and game time.  The attacking basketball mindset cannot and should not be turned off—it is always on, processing information, and seeking an edge that will help now or later.  Here are some ways that you can attack the game outside of our scheduled team time to increase both your development and enjoyment of the game.

Watching NBA basketball:

• Steal a move. Copy it.  Rehearse it.  Not one based on athleticism, but deception, change of speed, fundamentals—something you can rip off, rehearse, and incorporate right now.  A killer hesitation move that lulled the defender to sleep, a clever V-cut or back cut, an effective shot fake, or a slow, controlled drive that draws help to create a shot for a teammate.
• Pay attention to spacing. WARNING: this will require you to watch something other than the ball (Gasp!).  Note how players on the weak (positive) side are rewarded when they space the floor and wait for their turn to either shoot or attack a closeout before the help can rotate.
• Look for mini fast breaks. Meaning a quick 3 on 2 or 2 on 1 in the half court, not a normal fast break.  Note how the offense exploits a brief advantage of space/numbers and if the defense can “buy time” and turn it back into 5 on 5.

Practicing by yourself:

• Compete against yourself. When shooting, keep track.
  • Free throws: shoot sets of 10 and pick a minimum percentage you want to maintain. If your goal is 70% and you make 6-10, you have to make 8-10 next set to achieve your goal.  If you’re constantly above your goal percentage, it’s time to raise your goal.
  • Shooting: shoot game shots in sets of 5 or 10. First set is Player A and second set is player B.  Compete against yourself—you will always win (and lose)!
• Play against an imaginary defender. Rehearsing moves does not help you unless it is done at “game speed.”  The best way to make sure you’re working at game speed by yourself is to imagine a defender guarding you.  This imaginary defender is good, but beatable.  Your best crisp, hard move will beat this defender, but anything else and he will stay in front of you, block your shot, or poke the ball free—ATTACK

Playing with your friends:

• Spot your friend a 5-0 lead when playing 1 on 1. Even if it’s not agreed upon, challenge yourself to beat him by a certain score (11-5, 7-2, etc.).
• Be the best player on the court that day. It’s OK to D up your friend and make him look bad.  It’s OK to exploit lazy defense and get buckets.  You should want the confidence that comes with that.

Now get out there and attack the game, on and off the court!