Weekend Skills Training

Saturday Skills Session

This weekend I had a two-hour skills session with my trainer, Coach [Name]. We focused on two main areas:

1. Ball Screen Reads

We worked on reading different ball screen coverages:

• Drop coverage – Attacking the gap and making the big commit
• Switch – Using my speed advantage to get downhill
• Hedge and recover – Making the quick read to hit the roll man or reject the screen

The goal is to get faster at recognizing what the defense is showing before I get to the screen, so I can attack with a plan.

2. Mid-Range Pull-Ups

My three-point shot is solid, but I want to add a reliable mid-range game – especially off the bounce. We worked on:

• Footwork (inside foot plant, outside foot gather)
• Shoulder alignment on the gather
• Rhythm and balance at the release point

It felt awkward at first, but by the end of the session, I was hitting them consistently.

Film Study

After the workout, I spent an hour watching film of college guards I admire – specifically how they navigate ball screens and create space.

A few takeaways:

• Patience – The best guards don't rush. They let the screen develop and read the defense.
• Change of pace – They use hesitation moves and sudden bursts to keep defenders off balance.
• Vision – They're always scanning for the open man, not just hunting their own shot.

Week Ahead

This week we've got two games, including a rivalry matchup on Friday. Can't wait to put some of this work into action.