Greatness in the pursuit, no matter the outcome.

Welcome to all of you who are new here. You may be unfamiliar with this newsletter, but here is the jist:

I am trying to be better, I want you to be better, so let’s get better together.

Okay, here we go…

Basketball Ideas I’ve Been Experimenting With

The No-Dip Catch and Shoot:

Similar to last week, I have been working through different amounts of “dips” on my jumpshot. “Dip” is how much the ball goes down before it goes up on your shot, some shooters really dip it, some barely dip (think Steph Curry compared to Klay Thompson). For me I experimented with different amounts to see what helps me get underneath the ball better. The no-dip catch and shoot feels decent in workouts, but gets exponentially harder off the move and with a closeout. It is an interesting idea to work with because of the increased speed in which you can get you catch and shoot off. It is also unpredictable so even a good close-out can be thrown off-timing. Check this video of D’Angelo Russell talking about his “no-dip” shot.

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Getting “Downhill”

As a bigger guard, I have a natural strength and size advantage on most of my defenders if I am at the 2 spot. I’ve come to realize that all that means absolutely nothing if I am not attacking with the correct angles. When driving sideways or not at sharp angles to the basket, I very quickly do not feel strong or big. I start to feel like I am slow and lumbering almost. Again, this is all due to the angles that I am attacking. It is much easier to bump a driver off their line if the line is not going directly at you.

The angles aspect applies to more than just the driving angles. It is the shoulder angle (the angle at which the shoulder bump is hitting the defender), the shin angle (the angle at which you are putting force into the ground), and the finishing angle (the angle at which you give yourself options to finish). These all matter a lot when driving. Do I have the exact recipe of angles that lead to a strong drive? Not yet, but one thing I do know, each driver requires a different recipe. So the more comfortable we get in being able to recruit a certain angle when needed, the more adaptable and dynamic we will be in games.

I’m experimenting and trying to be conscious through this learning process, so bear with these rambles…

Mindset Ideas I’ve Been Workshopping

How to cultivate FLOW

I’ve been struggling to get into the “flow” during my basketball games. Now what is “flow”? I define it roughly as the state of unconscious focus where the voice inside my head goes quiet and reactions become natural/instinctual rather than observation, then action. Lately, I must admit that I have used my circumstances as a reason why I’m not in the flow (inconsistent playing time and unpredictable opportunities), but I took a step back and realized there are plenty of basketball players (especially NBA players) that it is their job to be ready to produce when they are counted on no matter the circumstance. I have to be able to do that, so I have been toying with different ways to cultivate flow. I’ve been experimenting with removing strict pregame shooting routines, consciously smiling more, and playing with an “attack at all times” mindset. All these things are with the intention of getting into the flow state easier and right when I need to be. I will circle back with how they work.

The difference is in the details

I am at the point in my basketball journey where more work is not necessarily the answer. Of course, there is a minimum baseline of work that needs to be done every week and it’s pretty high, but the area where I see the most opportunity for huge strides is in attention to detail. In terms of attention to detail and focus there isn’t the limit of your body. The skill of paying attention is only constrained by choice and commitment to the practice itself. If I want to reach the levels I want to reach, I can’t get bored of the little things. I have to become obsessed with them (this pertains to aspects of development and training, and not to my moments of actual performance).

This week I have been laser-focused on my focus, on those moments I feel my attention drift, and how fast I can get regain that focus. I believe this is where I can make the biggest strides and most significantly impact my development. I said it in my weekly YouTube upload, but I’ll repeat it: “This skill transcends basketball”. It is potentially the most powerful skill you can have.

A Look Into My Days This Week:

@treydrechsel

Day in the life of a pro hooper! Day 2 of 7 atypical challenge! #basketball #overseashooper #dayinthelifeofaprohooper #prohooper #ditlofap... See more

@treydrechsel

how to build your routine as a basketball player!! #routinebuilding #routines #routine #dayinthelifeofaprohooper #probasketball #probasket... See more

Simple Workout to Add to Your Training:

@treydrechsel

5 min stretching and mobility for hoopers !! From a current pro hooper. #basketball #mobilityroutine #stretchingroutine #probasketballplay... See more

Weekly YouTube Upload:

I’ll Leave You With This:

This week was tough because I felt I did everything right in terms of habits, routines, extra work, mindset and all of that. I felt incredibly confident going into the game, yet did not perform how I wanted to. Guess what? That is life… but what I can reassure myself with is that I was great in my pursuit this week. My process was rock-solid and all that tells me is that the results are coming. They are due, no matter the circumstance, it may no be on my desired timeline, but they are inevitable if I continue to work this way.

If you did not perform how you expected this week, then reassure yourself with this.

I appreciate all of you guys for subscribing and keep striving to be Atypical.