This is one of the most asked questions that I get as a basketball trainer. “How do I get more playing time?” This is a fair question. Every player would love more time on the court and a majority of players believe that they don’t get enough. Let’s face the truth. An average basketball team has 12 players. Only 5 people can be on the court at one time so players have to fight for their playing time. Not everyone is going to get the minutes that they think that they deserve. This article is going to share with you 7 tactics that you can use to increase the amount of playing time you get each game.



#1 Become a coach’s favorite

How many of you believe that coaches have favorites? You are not alone. Coaches are people too and pick favorites between their players. So what can you do about this? Become one of your coach’s favorite. Find out what your coach looks for in the position that you play and work on those specific things. If your coach has a defense first mindset, work on becoming a better defender. If your coach likes guards who can stretch the floor, make sure to spend extra time working on your jumpshot. Also try to develop a good relationship with your coach. I see so many great players get benched just because their attitudes towards their coach during practice or games are off.



#2 Improve your skill set

A lot of the time players do not get playing time simply because there are better players on the team than them. This may sound like a useless tip however it often gets overlooked. The easiest way to get more minutes is to be so good that the coach can not take you off the court. A coach wants to win and if you can help the team win then you will get more playing time. Take advantage of practices and use them to improve your game, work on your game on your own time, and ask your coach what he thinks you need to improve on as a player and then go work on it !



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#3 Become a leader

Every team needs a leader on and off the court. Be the coach on the court. Help your coach get his message to the other players by communicating and also leading by example. Coaches love players who are loud and talk. Even if you don’t know what to say, yelling something on defense is better than nothing. At practice try to be one of the first players that show up and the last to leave. Lead by example by being the first in every drill line and always willing to demonstrate.



#4 Be willing to do the dirty work

A lot of players are talented but are still lazy. If you are a player that is willing to make tough plays the coach will want you on the court. Some examples of these are: diving on loose balls, taking charges, sprinting on every play, and yelling on the bench when you are not in the game. Coach love this type of extra effort.

#5 Always be ready

If you are a player that doesn’t get that many minutes you never know when you can be subbed into the game. A starter may pick up extra fouls or an injury may occur and you might unexpectedly be asked to sub into the game. If you are ready and you perform well, you may be getting more minutes in future games. To be ready on the bench you should always know the time and score. Also know what offense and defense your team is running. I’ve seen so many players get subbed in then get subbed out the following play because they did not know what sets their team was running. Always be prepared and ready when your time comes.



#6 Show up to every practice and optional practice as well

Coaches value their practice times as it is the time where they go over their schemes and plans for following games. Attending every practice is the first step to prove to a coach that you are committed to the team and you are serious about becoming a better basketball player. If there are any optional practices, try to attend as this will set you ahead of the players who did not attend. If for some reason you can not attend a practice, make sure you let the coach know ahead of time.



#7 Do not give the coach a reason not to like you

Coaches are humans and they hold grudges and play their favorites weather they admit to this or not. Try to avoid being one of the players that a coach does not like. Try to always talk to your coach with respect. Value practice time and do not get caught messing around when you should be doing a drill. Stay focused in school so your teachers do not inform your coach that you are not performing in the classroom. The last tip I can give is to always give the coach eye contact when he is talking so he knows you are listening. I see so many players staring at the ground or in a different direction when the coach is talking to them.



Conclusion

By putting these 7 tactics to use players can work their way to increasing their playing time. Here the list of all 7 tactics from above in a condensed list:

1. Become a coaches favorite

2. Improve your skill set

3. Become a leader

4. Be willing to do the dirty work

5. Always be ready

6. Show up to every practice and optional practice as well

7.Do not give the coach a reason not to like you

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