Tryouts Day 2

Today introduced some new drills. I was able to catch a couple while I wasn't manning the shooting Gun (I love writing that phrase):

1. Passing lines. Two lines face each other from opposite sides of the court (beginning about ten feet inside each sideline). Player at the front of line one passes to the one at the front of line two, then sprints across. Line two is charged with trying to throw a pass back to line one. But the original passer shadows the ball with his hands trying to deflect. It's not allowed to throw the ball over the head of the defender. After throwing the pass, he becomes the next defender.

2. 3 on 2 full court. Place two defenders at each end of the court. At half court, put three offensive players, who proceed to drive fast-break style toward one end. As soon as they reach the top of the key, a third defender runs in from the sideline, touches the jump circle, then races to aid his other two defenders. Once the offense ends possession they become defenders in a half court press, while the defenders become offense. The press continues until the ball reaches half court, at which time the defense leaves the court. Offense proceeds toward the basket, and the sequence begins again.

Two hours of my two-day contribution can be summed up in one stat line: 27 freshmen shot 25 times apiece. They made 42% of them.

At last the players stood along the baseline. The drill is simple. If your name is read, you made the team. If not, you didn't. Either way, the players are instructed to leave the gym quietly.

Thirteen names. A handful left off. There were conversations to be had.

The coaches retired to the office.

A couple of players who made the team had borderline grades, and the school's honorable policy is that even though the IHSA is a tad more permissive, we will not allow a player to play who is failing any class at any time. The coach congratulated them on making the team and, through the wonder of modern technology, called up the detailed academic history of each player for the semester - including status of homework assignments and attendance. Walked them through each class. "What's going on here? You've got to start turning in homework and participating, you know what I'm saying? What will Mrs. So-and-So say when I ask them how you're acting in their class? We've got thirteen, but I can get by with twelve, you know?"

A line of cut freshmen players formed. The other coaches showed their experience.

Coach: "So what are you thinking?"

Player: "That I played extremely well."

Coach: (Pause, possibly reflecting on the fact that he shoots with the ball touching his nose and ends with his hand curved into a clutchy-claw fashion) "You played well. You need to work on your passing, dribbling with both hands, and shooting." This turns out to be golden advice that explains every player who comes in. Who can really provide a detailed analysis of a player's game when you've observed him for ten minutes cumulatively?

A player cried at being cut a second time. After skipping open gyms, camps, and weight lifting for the better part of a year. Somewhat baffling.

So tomorrow we march into the first practice of a season full of questions. Just over two weeks separate us from our first game. Who will play point guard? How well will we grasp the offense? How will our rebounding be?

Let the journey begin!