Adarq.org

I'm a new member here, and here's a bit of background information about myself and why I joined here.

My name is Axel Kerr, I'm 19 years old, 6' 5" and weigh 77kg, which I know I need to gain weight haha.

I play basketball, and my goal is to play in the SEABL in Australia between now and 5 years time. However, I am very skinny, and don't really have much athleticism or strength, and can't dunk even though i'm 6' 5". However, I can shoot very well, not just in practice, but in games I can hit all sorts of shots, and that's what keeps me playing. I struggle with getting rebounds and driving to the rim, as I easily get pushed around because I lack strength due to being underweight for my height and age.

I realize that if I am going to reach my goals, I will need to gain I think 15kg, and gain 10-15 inches on my vertical, and nearly double my current strength levels, which are very low to begin with. I have a basic idea of training principles, and have dedication, but there has been one thing holding me back, and this is another reason why I joined up and appreciate that forums like this exist.

I fell victim to the scamming tactics that guys like Adam Linkenauger, and Taylor Allan have used in order to get me to buy their products. For me, not so much Taylor Allan. But Adam Linkenauger has done a lot of unethical 'brainwashing' to a lot of young athletes this year. When I purchased his VertFreak program, he sent an invitation to join the 'Freak VIP group' on Facebook, which he claims he helps athletes on there achieve their dreams. So I joined. What happened over the next 3 months, is that I saw that he was changing young athletes mindsets for the worse, and instilling false hope that  they would gain 12 inches if they followed his program. He told me at one point that I needed to 'get professional help', because I said I don't trust women that much due to being cheated on in the past. Coming from someone I didn't know personally, I felt that was out of line. It doesn't end there. He tried getting the young athletes on that group to donate to events that didn't seem trustworthy, and 'promised' a free program for each donation over a certain amount, which nobody ended up getting. He also brainwashed people on that site to giving testimonials, and then he edits them so that they seem heaps better than what they are. I made the mistake of doing so, and as a result, it was the totally different to what I said. So in the end, I spoke out against him on that group, and I got kicked out probably because I was threatening his cult like following that he likes to have. And now what has he done with that group, he is currently making it a paid forum membership per month, and telling 13 year old kids on that site to 'go get a job' in order to stay on that group. What scum. And I lost 3 inches on my vertical jump from Adam's program. LOST 3 INCHES. WOW.

This is why I respect what this forum does. I appreciate that this forum is bringing back some credibility to S&C training, and exposing these scammers for what they are. When I saw that Adam had been associated with SquatFlex, I wish I would have known earlier. Also him trying to shut down this forum due to copyright, how pathetic.

I am sure that I'll find the right way to go about the steps needed to improve my strength and athleticism by being here. I'll probably start up a training journal as well.

Anyway, thanks for having me on this forum!

My training at the moment, is mostly skill work based for basketball. I train 4 days a week, with the following structure to my skill workouts:

Dynamic Warmup
Stationary Ball Handling
Moving Ball Handling
Shooting Mechanics Training
Drills that combine multiple skills (ie Ball Handling & Game Specific Shots)
Repetition Shooting
Post Moves/Finishing
20 reps of 1 Scoring Move
Defense Work
Cool Down

As for what I do at the gym at this point of time, I am doing a vertical jump circuit 3 days a week.

Contains 5 exercises in a row:
1. 1 set of 3 squats @ 5rm Max
2. 50 jump ropes, while staying on my toes
3. 12 Lateral Box Jumps both sides
4. 1 Leg DB Deadlifts, 1 set of 10 each leg
5. 12 Forward Box Jumps
6. 2 Minute Rest

Repeat 4 more times. After that I do 5 minutes of HIIT at the very end, 40 seconds sprinting, 20 seconds jogging.

Since I started that program, my vertical has increased 2-3 inches over the last month, as well as my 1rm squat has increased to 105kg from 90kg, which is not much, but considering that I weigh 77kg, it's still OK. My overall weight has stayed the same, however I notice that my body fat has decreased. I think my vertical jump increases is to do with increasing my relative strength.

I've played for 4 to 5 years. In terms skillwise, my shooting is at an advanced level I would think, I can knock down 80% 3's in practice, around 40-45% in games, and often I am guarded heavily when I shoot. Ball handling is something I'm constantly getting better at, although I know my handles are not at the level required for a pro level yet.

In terms of what role I would play for an elite team, right now I would be a sniper on the court. I don't drive much, but I just about knock down every open 3 and a lot of contested 3's, and I have a consistent mid-range pullup shot. Also I like to guard the best player on the other team, and take him out of the game offensively. Normally I do well in that role.

I do understand that atm I still have a lot of work to do across all areas of my game to get to the next level. Tonight I played and hit 4-9 3's, ended up with 18 points overall, along with 9 boards and a couple of assists. Often I was the only guy back on a fast break tonight, and was scored on most times, hence why my team lost. Also I'm required to carry the bulk of the offensive load as my team doesn't really have another reliable option.

Another thing about my game is I'm not phased by taking clutch shots. Normally the outcome is pretty good. One game this season against the top team at the time, I hit a 3 with 40 seconds to go to put my team up by 2, then hit the 4 following free throws to put the game away.

That's how my game is pretty much.

Quote from: Mutumbo000 on December 10, 2012, 08:16:31 am

Do you play for a club or just social?

^this and

having a killer shot is a gem.  it frees you up for so many other opportunities.  definitely focus on shooting.  focus on shooting in many different situations... under pressure, when you are fatigued, after you have done say 15 suicides... etc.  Against a good defender, it is almost impossible to even get the ball sometimes let alone get off a shot.  You should know by now that one's shot varies a lot under different circumstances.  The mind can play tricks on you.

Pay attention to the details and always learn more about yourself as a player.  For example, ive realized the length of my finger nails can effect my shot, and even the climate can effect your shot.  In cold winter times when it is super dry, the skin on my hands get real cracked and i don't get a good grip on the ball compared to wet summer months.

look up shooting drills and observe how good players in  the ncaa/nba 3 pt contest play.

Why would he waste his time doing suicides? That isn't exactly going to get him more explosive/stronger. In my opinion, since he already seems to have a great shot, the focus should not be on shooting, it really is all about getting strong, strong, strong. Obviously, strength training shouldn't come before Bball, but i'm gussing you play in a club Akanator? So plenty of basketball action already.

At the moment, I am playing with a group of friends in a C Grade Mens comp, and we are 4th on the ladder I think. Though from what I've noticed, I'm a step above everyone in that comp, so as a result I will be playing A Grade next season where I will be up against players who play in the SEABL, which is my goal. The reason why I don't play in a club, is because the city that I live in doesn't take basketball all that seriously, so there are not many clubs etc. It's nothing like the US which is a shame.

At the moment, I think I'm averaging 18-22 PPG, around 10 RPG, and 3-5 APG. But bear in mind I don't really take that many shots, the rest of the team all want a go shooting the ball as well considering it's a C Grade comp. When it comes towards finals then that will change however. I regularly get double teamed in games as well. That sets up a lot of assists cause there is someone free.

It's structured differently for Victoria, they just have different associations in each city, and different grades/divisions based off that.

The problem with the SEABL team in my city, is that it's not just about your skills/athleticism, it's who you know that is associated with the team. They also have a habit of signing imports, half the team at least is imported.

I plan on playing A Grade next season as well.

It's structured differently for Victoria, they just have different associations in each city, and different grades/divisions based off that.

The problem with the SEABL team in my city, is that it's not just about your skills/athleticism, it's who you know that is associated with the team. They also have a habit of signing imports, half the team at least is imported.

I plan on playing A Grade next season as well.

If I were you I'd at least get into the system with your local club? I've had experience with the joys of club politics before but if you're not in the system it'll be very hard for people to notice you no matter how good you get. Also, it will be much easier for you to get feedback on what areas you need to improve on to make the jump to their level.

If you don't mind me asking which area of Melbourne are you from? If you're not from a regional area then you may be able to look for another team that's less political than the current one.