Court awareness and seeing the entire floor on a basketball court is critical to your success as a player. Magic Johnson and Lebron James have mastered court awareness and vision. They see the play before it actually happens. They don't just see the person they plan on passing to, they see the entire court. Vision and court awareness isn't something your born with, it takes experience and the right kind of attitude. A strong basketball IQ can lead to better decisions, which leads to wins. Below are aspects to consider when you are trying to improve your court vision.
1. Keep Your Head Up
Never look down at the ball, always see the entire floor and all 9 other players. If you dribble the correct way, the ball should bounce right back up into your hand. When you are traveling up the court on a dribble, seeing the floor can lead to more uncontested baskets.
2. Square Up
When you receive the ball, square up to the basket with your shoulders aligned to the rim. That means you are facing the basket and able to see everything in front of you. Every time Lebron James gets the ball he immediately turns his shoulders and assesses his situation. When you are facing everyone and the goal you have options: shoot, pass or dribble.
3. Gain experience by practicing
When you are scrimmaging, be aware of the entire floor. Make it a point to make passes out the corner of your eye. If you are on a fast break, lead your player to the hoop so they can grab the ball and lay it in. Court vision takes patience and experience. As you play more ball as a youth basketball player,you will notice the the court open up larger leaving you at an advantage.
