I’m sure your wondering what In\Fin means.
******In\fin definition: Showing up to slash one of your greatest fears.******
Young Sean In\Fin after getting cut by the New York Knicks. Still smiling.
I received an e-mail from a Rice HS kid. He is seeking to make JV. It
made me think about how nerve racking it is to try-out against tough comp
without the guarantee of being down. My greatest fear as a player was not being given
a chance to show I could play. Everyday we face things we’re afraid of. Two big fears in
NYC this week — getting cut off the team, and making the team but then failing off.
Ball is life for us at Bounce/Dime. We love the challenge of making it as the underdog.
Preparation is the key on the court and off. As I look back on my career, I could have personally worked a little harder. Check out my tips for giving it your best to make your high school team.
In the late ’80s, I performed well enough at the Knicks’ veterans camp to be among the last cuts, but I could have trained even harder. It took me a long long time to get
over it but I recovered and realized that there is a lot of reward in the work itself.
This blog is for those who are seeking to make their high school teams whether it’s
Freshman, JV or Varsity. Check out this e-mail I got this
morning…
From: Jude Chery’
Sent: Sun Nov 4 14:10
To: sean@bouncemag.com
My name is Jude Chery and I’m a sophomore at Rice H.S. Last year I
tried out for freshman and got cut. I’ve been working on my game during the
summer and JV Tryouts are this Saturday. I wanted to know if you
had any workouts or advice you can give to get better. When i play around my
neighborhood i usually play well, but when i go to gym at school i freeze
and get nervous. A lot of people have faith in me. If you have advice or workouts
it would be helpful.
Response:
From: Couch
Sent: Mon Nov 5 07:23
To: ‘Jude Chery’
From: Couch
Sent: Mon Nov 5 07:23
Jude:
One of the things you need to try is relaxation exercises. Before you go out visualize
yourself making shots, playing tremendous on the ball/help defense and running
the floor on both ends. Try to shoot at least 200 shots a day outdoors on a double rim.
Make sure you go to your coach and ask him what u need to do to make the team.
One drill you should try:
Start at the key. Take a shot fake and lay the ball up 10 times with your left and then with your right. Get as high as u can on the backboard. Then do it and pull up and take the short backboard jumpshot. Do this about 100 times for a total of 300 shots.
Don’t let your homework suffer so plan to do it at a time when your alert. Let me
know how u do.
November 6th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Jeremy Ripley says:
Sean-
I was born with a very mild case of Cerebral Palsy that only affects my right-side essentially. I always knew that because of that I’d be a step slower than the other kids. So I used to put in work. I was SERIOUSLY shooting and dribbling for 7-8 hours a day inbetween my 8th grade and Freshman Year. Also, I found that kids with CP are shorter than they should be. My dad is 6′8 my brother is 6′6, and I’m only 6′2. Without CP I should probably be 6′4 or 6′5…I guess because I’ve lived with it my whole life I’ve never really questioned how much more athletic or quick I’d be without it. Here are things that I didn’t do that could’ve improved my game regardless of my odd health problems.
1. Lift Weights- Having a steady lifting program was never emphasised by the basketball program here. I was kind of a ‘late-bloomer’ puberty wise (couple that with already being tall and skinny) and I just wasn’t as physically advanced as the other kids playing. Lifting weights can help add strength and speed to your game, and would’ve put muscle on my undersized frame. Make sure your lifting routine contains both explosive leg lifts like squats, and arm lifts-because you use both lots for ball. Also, focus on your abs…A strong midsection really helps with lateral speed.
2. Practice things you hate harder than those you like- Alright, I admit, I don’t take that much pride in my defensive abilities. As I mentioned, I already knew I’d be a step slower than the other kids, and I detested doing slide drills or doing anything to improve lateral speed. When you look at the greatest players in history, they were blessed with the ability to overcome their dislike for something and work hard at it.
3. Practice at Game Speed- If you’re casually shooting the ball for 4 hours a day, does that help much? You don’t play casually in a game…get your hearbeat up and break a seat.
Peace.
November 6th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
jeremy-
these are great suggestions, but now i know when we play 1 on 1 to attack you from the wings instead of straight on!
November 6th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Sean Couch says:
Jeremy
Game speed… no doubt. Full speed blow outs make you understand tempo
and timing. Going half-behind brings a half-behind result with drills. Let’s hope young Jude checks out your suggestions.
November 7th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Joman says:
Just a quick question, Was that a one-piece uni you had on? LOL
November 7th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Sean Couch says:
Yo, the ladies loved it back in 89. That’s the way
it was until Fab 5/baggy Jordan came into effect 1991-
1992.