How to Get Playing Time in High School Basketball

Earning a position on your high school basketball team is something that every player should be proud of. High school basketball tryouts are becoming tougher and tougher as the talent level grows in the sport. Making the basketball team is a big deal. The next logical goal for someone that makes their high school basketball team is to earn their fair share of playing time. Here are some things you can do to increase your odds of getting more playing time.

The first and most important thing you can do to increase your playing time on your high school basketball team is to hustle. It seems rather cliché, but the simple truth is that it makes a world of difference to a coach. If a player is not willing to hustle, all the talent in the world will not help them. Likewise, a player that is less talented can contribute greatly to the team if they do.

Another way to increase your playing time in high school basketball is to learn the play book inside and out. Knowing where you are supposed to be on the court and in the flow of the offense can be the difference in whether you start or not. A player with tons of talent that is unable to work within the offense is only good for the occasional spectacular play. A great high school basketball team must be able to incorporate all the players on the court and not rely on one scorer. Knowing the play book is also a big deal to your coach who ultimately controls the playing time.

The single best way to get playing time in high school basketball is to become a defensive stopper. Playing defense is something that the vast number of high school basketball players grudgingly do. Not many players like to play defense. That means that their can be a role for you as a defensive stopper. Preventing the other team from getting the ball in the basket is just as important as putting the ball in the basket. Learn how to play excellent defense and your playing time will go through the roof.

Getting playing time in high school is really about effort and filling a role. You want to find what the team is lacking and become proficient at it. If they need defenders, then learn to play defense. If they need an outside shooter, become that. Regardless, you must hustle and chase every loose ball in practice as well as the game. If you do all of these things, you will likely see an increase in playing time on your high school basketball team.