Working on your game vs 12 year olds

[andgar923]

I haven't played basketball in years so Im very rusty. I always worked on my game playing against kids.

Why?

Because it beats shooting around alone.

You have somebody that can go fetch you the ball.

You can work on your handles playing against 2 shorter players.

If you get lucky, you can go up against a fast kid with handles, so you can work on your lateral quickness.

You can work on an array of moves against them, you saw something on youTube practice against them.

And when you've got your rhythm, handles and shot back, you can go play against 16 year olds to start working on cardio and perhaps get some competition.

In two weeks I'll be ready to skip to high school level.:D

[ForeverHeat]

I didnt read your post but I dont spit game at 12 year olds. Too risky.

[andgar923]

I didnt read your post but I dont spit game at 12 year olds. Too risky.
:oldlol:

[hateraid]

If it was a last resort and only for cardio.

I ran at a gym that was 40+ for a bit. I thought I was champ until league started up again. Pace killed me!

[TheMarkMadsen]

ask jammer

[andgar923]

If it was a last resort and only for cardio.

I ran at a gym that was 40+ for a bit. I thought I was champ until league started up again. Pace killed me!

That's actually the main reason why I resort to playing with kids.

THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

All the grown men passing by the court where I live are there to bring their daughters to soccer practice. The burbs :facepalm

You know how dogs get excited when they see other dogs? that's me when I see grown ups. Shit, even if they're 16 year olds and look borderline athletic I start wagging my tail. But they go play soccer instead... Canadian burbs :rolleyes:

It's all good tho, still gotta work on my game :oldlol: I keep dribbling off my feet, missing wide open shots, pull ups aint coming close, my legs are far from being there can't even finish some layups. :facepalm :facepalm Sucks being old

[andgar923]

ask jammer

Im still probably better off playing against 4 foot tall 12 year olds with glasses wearing flip flops.

Might get more of a competition, sorry Jammer.:confusedshrug:

[Jameerthefear]

Yeah I like to try my pickup lines the most. They think everything I say is hilarious and being in highschool and being able to drive gives me an advantage boys their age don't have. Just bait them with juice and animal crackers and they'll be in your bed in no time.

[Rake2204]

Is that 7th or 8th graders? I used to participate in practices with my players when I coached that level. Was actually very good for my game, as I was constantly trying to set a great example by playing hard and playing the right way. And actually, running for two hours against 8th graders is better than standing for two hours and not exercising.

I know some local folks who've been historically very picky about who they play against. That is not just in reference to 12 year olds, but they'll opt not to play at all over playing against people who might be a level beneath them. And again, in a smaller city, sometimes you might have to wait a few days for the good competition to re-emerge.

Conversely, I think I've been able to benefit from playing anyone with any semi-competence in the game of basketball. If there's players, I'll play. And if they're a bit below me, it serves as a nice proving ground for developing moves I'd otherwise not want to risk when I'm playing next level guys.

[andgar923]

Is that 7th or 8th graders? I used to participate in practices with my players when I coached that level. Was actually very good for my game, as I was constantly trying to set a great example by playing hard and playing the right way. And actually, running for two hours against 8th graders is better than standing for two hours and not exercising.

I know some local folks who've been historically very picky about who they play against. That is not just in reference to 12 year olds, but they'll opt not to play at all over playing against people who might be a level beneath them. And again, in a smaller city, sometimes you might have to wait a few days for the good competition to re-emerge.

Conversely, I think I've been able to benefit from playing anyone with any semi-competence in the game of basketball. If there's players, I'll play. And if they're a bit below me, it serves as a nice proving ground for developing moves I'd otherwise not want to risk when I'm playing next level guys.

Yup, you can always work on something. Beats shooting around in an empty court. And it's always better when the kid can actually play.

Don't understand why people don't wanna play against lower quality competition. You can always work on something but also teach the young dudes something. The other day I spent 1.5 hours teaching a kid, we were both running dribbling drills and showing him different moves and counters which helped me too.

if Im lucky I'll play 2 against 1, helps you work on your handles and timing dribbling against the shorter players. Even if they can't play, having them reach is like having obstacles.

[fsvr54]

I don't understand why anyone wants to play against good players. I like to play against scrubs so I feel good about my skills.

[andgar923]

I don't understand why anyone wants to play against good players. I like to play against scrubs so I feel good about my skills.

I have no option :(

Punk suburban grownups would rather go play soccer.

[Rake2204]

I don't understand why anyone wants to play against good players. I like to play against scrubs so I feel good about my skills.Playing against players better than me is stressful, but it's a necessary evil for at least two reasons:

1) It's more satisfying to execute good plays and emerge victorious when it's against good competition.

2) One of the more effective ways of becoming good enough to beat more people and feel good about yourself is to play against good competition. It's a part of what helps us not be scrubs ourselves (the term "scrub" being relative, of course).

But yeah, even when I succeed against good competition, I still find it quite stressful. That's actually something about my little brother I find very impressive - he loves good competition. He's 18, but I have defeated him in 1-on-1 nearly every single time we've ever played, yet he keeps coming back. It's the same with his in-season opponents - loves the big games against the top recruits. Seems he can't get enough of measuring himself against the best. I respect him for that.

[hateraid]

Is that 7th or 8th graders? I used to participate in practices with my players when I coached that level. Was actually very good for my game, as I was constantly trying to set a great example by playing hard and playing the right way. And actually, running for two hours against 8th graders is better than standing for two hours and not exercising.

I know some local folks who've been historically very picky about who they play against. That is not just in reference to 12 year olds, but they'll opt not to play at all over playing against people who might be a level beneath them. And again, in a smaller city, sometimes you might have to wait a few days for the good competition to re-emerge.

Conversely, I think I've been able to benefit from playing anyone with any semi-competence in the game of basketball. If there's players, I'll play. And if they're a bit below me, it serves as a nice proving ground for developing moves I'd otherwise not want to risk when I'm playing next level guys.
Great example. If you are going to play with kids give them advice. My little brother's best friend was ranked top 10 in state. He said me busting him up when he was 12 made him tough and able to absorb contact. I was in high school so he had the athletic me. But yes, set an example. Teach rules and skill set. You might end up with a star and he'll remember you in the future

[fiddy]

Im in OP's position and tbh i prefer to shoot alone rather than play with kids

[ballup]

http://daily.greencine.com/Ping-Pong-Playa.jpg

[andgar923]

Playing basketball with little kids is retarded. Waste of time and just on some punk shit

Playing by yourself is drill/practice time. If there's other dudes to play ball with, then play ball. Completely ignore little kids or tell them to go play on a different hoop.

There's only one park, one hoop.

I can either wait until they leave for me to shoot around and go get the ball myself every time.

or

just play with them and have them get the rebounds for me, while working on my game.:confusedshrug:

Anyways.... it's been 3 trips and I can see some progress after not playing for a long time. On the last trip i was starting to get back some of my handles and my legs are starting to somewhat come back.

Hopefully there's some adults I can play with today. Hopefully people my age, because I don't want to get embarrassed by a 19 year old.:oldlol:

[fsvr54]

Playing basketball with little kids is retarded. Waste of time and just on some punk shit

Playing by yourself is drill/practice time. If there's other dudes to play ball with, then play ball. Completely ignore little kids or tell them to go play on a different hoop.

No it's not, there are plenty of 13-14 year olds that wreck me on a regular basis. I'm in my mid 20s.

[Nikola_]

How old are you OP ?

[andgar923]

How old are you OP ?

37 :lol :lol

But it was a glorious day today and I owe it all to my lil buddies.

I was shooting around with some of my 12 year old buddies today when they left. So I started shooting around for 10 minutes before I got bored and contemplated going home, when a tall athletic looking 20 year old black dude showed up. I was excited that I was gonna play somebody that wasn't 4 feet tall, but apprehensive because I didn't want to get embarrassed. Nonetheless I was eager to see where my game was.

To cut things short, I was victorious!!! :banana: :banana:

The old man still has some tricks up his sleeve. I was missing tons of shots, my handles were awful overall, but even then, I still had enough to win 2 times in decisive fashion. I was even getting great looks (but missing easy shots) in my loss to him.

I know what I need to work on, my foundation. Which is getting my legs and balance, from there everything else will follow. I was pulling off some nasty moves, but was missing my world famous hook shot (some of you may remember me talking about my hook shot).

Honestly if it wasn't for me playing against my 12 year old buddies I wouldn't have had no chance. As I mentioned, these kids helped my game after years of not playing (plus Im old, I can't jump outta the gym or run a 4.4 in the 40 no mo).

Today was def a good day.






But my body will not be saying that tomorrow.:cry: :cry:

[Verticality]

OP, when are you going to refresh your karate skills?

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/992614/kramer-karate-o.gif

[andgar923]

OP, when are you going to refresh your karate skills?

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view/992614/kramer-karate-o.gif
:lol :lol


On the real tho... I'd probably still ball 75% of you here.

In my prime, 95%:pimp: :dancin