Question: "Coach, I do well in training but struggle to show the same form in games - what can I do to show my true ability in games?" (Submitted by: Adam Glasspool)

Answer: Good question Adam.  First off all, basketball is a game of repetition - that means you must practise the correct fundamental skills of the game over and over and over again until they are 'second nature' to you.  You have to get to a point of practising so much that you don't have to actually think about what you are doing physically when playing because you've done it so many times before in practise that your body goes into 'auto-pilot' and executes the required skill without having to break it down in your mind.  

It's just like learning to ride a bike.  Think back to when you first learnt to ride a bike, you were most probably wobbling a little (or alot, in my case!) and were thinking about all the dangers of what may happen if you fall off or wondering how you will be able to keep your balance once you got going. Your mind was focused 100% on the physical task of how to ride the bike.  Once you practised enough times, your mind began to focus on other things and eventually didn't need to think about how you rode the bike because it became second nature to you.  This is where you need to get with your basketball skills.

The first step in being able to play as well in games as you do when practising on your own is by mastering the fundamentals to the point where you don't have to think about them anymore because you have them in your arsenal on auto-pilot.  Nobody masters the fundamentals over night, it takes discipline and dedication - but if you really love the game and want to get better at it, that should give you the fuel you need to stay disciplined and dedicated to go out everyday and practise your fundamentals.

The second area that prevents players from doing as well in games as they can do on their own comes down to intensity.  You have to practise at least as hard as you'll play in a game.  I actually like for my players to go harder in practise than they'll ever need to in a real game, so they can be comfortable playing at the speed and intensity a game will always require.  If you practise slowly and don't put yourself under any kind of physical pressure, it will be hard for the skills you're working on to translate into your advantage come game time because a real game is quicker, the defense more physical and the circumstances more intense.  You can go at a slow and steady pace when learning a new skill, so you get the basics right and let your body adjust to the new movements, but once you get the technique down - you need to turn up the heat on the speed and intensity with how you practise.

You have to practise as you wish to play.  If working out by yourself, set yourself personal challenges, try and get your drills done quicker than yesterday.  Push yourself to your limit physically.  If you're in a team practise situation, make it your mission to be the hardest worker on the floor and don't take any 'plays' off.  The best players are in great condition to allow them to play all out - all the time.  If you make a commitment to do the same (and do the work!), you'll see the benefits in your game performances.  - Coach Jay Williams

Jay Williams short bio: Played Internationally for England and GB at the Jr and Sr levels, been a 4 year starter on scholarship in America, played professionally for 8 years.  As a coach, he's won the Mens National League Coach Of Year, National League Regular Season and Playoff Championships, coached on the England International,  taken UK teams out to compete all over America and Europe and is currently the London U17 Inter-Regional Team Head Coach.