6 Summer Training Tips

It’s officially the off-season, or shall we call it buckets season? Summer is the season of training, a season to really focus on your game and to get better. But the summer brings on more distractions and temptations than any other! Check out our top 6 tips below for maximizing the summer months. 

Focus on Weaknesses

It’s never fun to admit your weaknesses, but we all know we have them. Now is the time to get better! If dribbling with your left hand isn’t your strongest make it a focus for the summer. I would suggest choosing your top 3 weaknesses that you want to improve on. Be as specific as possible. Don’t just say “be a better shooter” what about your shot needs some love? If you need to get stronger, where do you want to focus the strength building? If you aren’t sure which 3 to focus on, ask a coach or parental figure who you trust. Next, write them down on paper and have it somewhere that you will see everyday.

Strengthen Your "Bests"

It’s important to focus on your weaknesses, but that doesn’t mean neglecting what you already excel at. I strongly believe in sports embracing your role will take you far in your career. Embrace what you are really good at and continue to get even better at it. Soon enough, people will know you for it. If you have a nasty crossover challenge yourself to see how you can make it even better.

Mix it up

Never become stagnant in your training. A routine is good, but doing the same thing every day is not doing yourself any favors. At Dr. Dish we encourage people to have a consistent warm up routine, but that does not mean your entire workout needs to be the same. Maybe you decide to dribble 5 days a week. Don’t dribble in your driveway everyday. Dribble in the grass. Dribble on a steep hill. Dribble with a partner. Get creative and you will really challenge your skills.

Have a Buddy

Personally, I like to workout by myself with headphones on. It’s my time myself. But here’s the thing; basketball is a team sport. Being a part of a team means you should want everyone on your team to get better. So, ask your teammate to workout with you every now and then. Commit to one another that you will hold each other accountable. Remember the strengths and weaknesses we talked about earlier? Tell each other about them and see how together you can both get better.

Develop Good Habits

Aside from the common ones like “working out daily” and “eating healthy” focus on non-sports related activities. Like… (don’t cringe) making your bed or getting 8+ hours of sleep. One challenge for me has always been drinking a lot of water. So I purchased a dedicated water bottle (big bubba cup 32 oz.) and told myself I needed to drink 3 a day. After a few weeks of focusing on this, I now drink up to 5 a day. 

Have a Plan

To come full circle with everything (strengths, weaknesses, mixing it up, having a buddy, creating habits), you must create a plan to be successful. This doesn’t need to be complicated. Start simple with your plan and let it naturally develop. Below is my example:

Emily “Better Everyday” Summer Training Plan
Weight Train: 3x a week (upper, lower, full body)
Shoot: 3x a week
Bike/Yoga/stretch: 1x a week

Invite a friend to join 2x a week

Weaknesses:

1. Finishing at the rim, slowing down to finish and focus
2. Develop shot to keep elbow tucked and add arch  
3. Strengthen lower body, PR 185

Strengths:

1. Speed, lateral movements quick feet
2. Perfect go-to move, in and out - cross
3. Deadly mid-range shot

Non-sports related habits to work on:
Floss every other day
Make bed every morning
Drink morning greens daily

We hope you find these 6 Summer training tips helpful. Tackle this summer and get to work!

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