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How to Be a Great Bench Player in Basketball

How to Be a Great Bench Player in Basketball

Let’s face it, no-one likes sitting on the bench during a basketball game.  In fact, sitting on the bench may feel like an insult to your abilities on the court and you may find yourself resentful and dismissive of the move by the coach. 

And, as you continue to climb the ranks in your basketball career, you may find yourself sitting on the bench more-and-more as more senior and experienced players start the game.

However, sitting on the bench doesn’t have to be bade.  In fact, below, we’re going to teach you how to be a great bench player and how to help your team win the game, even if you aren’t playing.

Be Happy for Your Teammates

The first thing you should do to be a great bench player in basketball is to be happy for your teammates.  Although you may not have started the game with them, you should always wish them the best of luck and success both on and off the court.

As basketball is a team sport, the success of other players is a success of yours.  Similarly, a failure of other players is a failure on you and the team.  Rather than being upset at being benched, show great sportsmanship by being happy for your teammates who started the game.

Bring Your A-Game

Just because you may not be starting the game, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring you’re a-game.  As a bench player, it is important to understand that at any moment the coach may substitute you into the game. 

Whether it is for your offensive or defensive skills, you should be prepared to enter the game at all times.  This means ensuring you are in the proper mental and physical state for the game and are keeping tabs on the game so that you are ready to enter and play at a moment’s notice.

Be Enthusiastic Through-and-Through

A great bench player is enthusiastic throughout the entirety of the game.  They cheer their fellow players on and mourn their misses with them.  As a great bench player, you should bring your enthusiasm for both the game and your teammates during every play and throughout every quarter of the game.

Being enthusiastic doesn’t just mean clapping after a good shot or a great defensive play.  It can include hyping your teammates up, yelling words of encouragement, and standing and cheering after a monster dunk.  Whatever your enthusiasm level is, let your teammates know you’re rooting for them!

Don’t Distract Your Teammates

A part of being a great bench player is ensuring that your teammates on the court aren’t distracted.  While you may not be able to control the crowd, you should ensure that both yourself and your teammates are keeping the players on the court focused and in the right mindset.

You can do this by not discussing anything with them except the game at hand.  In addition, you can help your teammates stay focused by providing them with quick pieces of advice on both offensive and defensive schemes you see the opposing team running.

Take Note of the Opposing Team

Speaking of advice, by far one of the best things you can do on the bench to be a great bench player is to study the opposing team.  See what plays they are running, learn their weak points, and identify the gaps in their offensive and defensive schemes.

Once you begin to understand the weak points in the opposing team’s offense and defense, you can give these mental notes to both your coach and to the players on the court.  This will help them to run plays which take advantage of those weaknesses.

Push Your Starting Team During Practice

A great bench player in basketball doesn’t only bring enthusiasm and energy during a live game but also does so during practice sessions.  You should come to practice ready to compete and push yourself. 

You should also come to practice ready to play stellar defense and offense against your starting squad. This means setting aside your feelings of nervousness and playing at your best level.

Doing so will not only help your starting squad develop their own talents and experience but will also likely have the coach and coaching staff take note of your abilities.