The Offering: Part 2
Working out is a key component to any serious basketball player’s daily routine. Whether getting in a gym or outside at the park, perfecting your craft and skills is a vital component to achieving any success. Strength training in a weight room and building your body to compete physically at the next level and conditioning on a track or field to work on your speed and agility is essential to maintain the athleticism necessary to be a college player. All in all there is no substitute for hard work in attempting to improve your all-around game… along with actually playing games and competing; either in the winter or the summer; organizing a structured workout regimen is imperative to any young player trying reach certain heights in their career.
I’m a firm believer that having a “plan” is the key to life on many levels, but if you have strong workout routine that involves basketball skill development, strength training, and conditioning; you will have a leg up on a lot of the competition out there and it will ultimately prepare you better at the next stage of your journey.
As a member of the Pittsburgh Panthers Lockhart excelled. He went on to a pro career overseas and knows what many of the up and coming prospects are going through firsthand. Photo courtesy of J. Lockhart IG
I know I’m old school, but a lot of my beliefs and core values came from working out in a structured environment when I was young. Discipline, dedication, determination, being on time, pushing through fatigue, and having a daily routine to follow. When you see progress; there’s always satisfaction. But, I think with basketball, you can never be satisfied because there’s always someone working harder than you. This is what should initially keep you motivated, but what a lot of young players fail to realize. Especially if you say that you “love the game of basketball”; which is probably the most overused phrase in the sport to me. Kids always say; “Coach, I shot 500 jump shots today”. My question to them is always; “But, how many did you make?” To me its about seeing that ball go through the hoop, not just shooting it. The game is mental; and should be approached that way, even at the youngest of ages.
Playing professionally in France is a dream come true for many youngsters. He traveled the world and owes it all to the game of Basketball. Photo courtesy of J. Lockhart IG)
I was always taught that if you love the game, you should work on it everyday, because even though it is a game, it’s also a gift, and at any moment that gift can be taken away from you. This statement always stuck with me, and I tried my best to at least work on something daily. When I couldn’t get in a gym, I’d find an outside court, when there was no weight room I would do push-ups in the house, and if I couldn’t get to a track or field, I was running the steps somewhere. Anything that I thought would give me an advantage against the competition or those I knew I had to outwork. And, for me; I always tried to work out with better players; guys I thought would push me to compete harder and fight through fatigue; mentally and physically. That was usually the older college guys when I was around in the summer or any pros if the opportunity presented itself. I rarely worked out with anyone I thought was of lesser caliber than me, or even on the same level. Not taking away anything from anyone else, but I knew this was the formula to get me better and improve my game, while learning from better and more experienced players.
Make a schedule for yourself…….and, stick to it! Do a combination of basketball related drills and skill building work, in conjunction with strength training and conditioning exercises.
Today you have personal trainers, basketball enthusiasts turned workout gurus, and sports fans that just research different workout methods online, scamming countless young people out of millions of dollars worldwide……all in the name of basketball. Working out with an experienced person that knows and understands the game is priceless at the end of the day. But, a lot of kids get caught up into what’s popular and fashionable, and end up not getting the proper experience for their particular game. It’s unfortunate, but fundamentals are being sacrificed for likes and follows on social media, and everyone is claiming to be “in the gym”, but their games aren’t matching that statement. You can always tell a Basketball player that’s actually been in the gym and has been working out consistently because he’s in shape physically, his skills are sharp, he’s confident in his abilities, and ultimately he has a certain swag that tells an opposing player that he’s serious about himself and his craft.
MY ADVICE
*Make a schedule for yourself…….and, stick to it! Do a combination of basketball related drills and skill building work, in conjunction with strength training and conditioning exercises. An example of a weekly routine for the “serious”-hopeful and potential collegiate athlete might look like this:
-Monday: Shooting/Ball handing/skill development/Weights
-Tuesday: Shooting/ball handing/Skill development/Weights
-Wednesday: Speed & Agility (Track and field)
-Thursday: Shooting/Ball handing/skill development/Weights
-Friday: Shooting/Ball handing/skill development/Weights
-Saturday: Speed & Agility (Track and field)
-Sunday: (Rest and Recover); Stretch
Within that week you should also be playing pick-up basketball somewhere, to test your skills and everything you’ve been working on throughout those days. My advice would be to try and get the best players possible together for some “serious” run that is intense and competitive. This will allow you to see where you are in relation to your abilities and how much growth you’ve made, and also what you may need to improve upon.
Helping the youth navigate through life is a passion because he’s lived it. He went through what the young student athletes are going through right now. Photo courtesy of J Lockhart IG
Obtaining a college scholarship is a privilege and definitely not an easy thing to do for even the best players out there. So; imagine if you’re not working on your game, and not putting the time and effort into improving on your strengths or building on your weaknesses. There will always be someone willing to outwork you for an opportunity, so stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready. Consistency is ultimately the name of the game, and repetition is the key to success.
***Great News: I am the new Head Basketball Coach of Victory Rock Prep School (Post Graduate Team) in Bradenton, FL
Stay Tuned for more updates on my Basketball journey.
#LOVE