We are right in the midst of AAU season getting heated up and as a young player growing up you have a lot to understand about your body and the limits it can take. The one thing to remember this time of year is how important it can be for your future to play well during these next few months. More and more coaches are paying more attention to the AAU circuit than they are the high school season and with kids playing anywhere from 1-6 games a day you have to keep your body in peak condition.

1. REST: It sounds simple but rest in between games or at night is key. Most young players still have growing bodies and need as much rest as possible. The temptation is there to go out and have a fun time wherever you are traveling to but it is more important to get to bed and get some rest so you can have your energy when you need it.

2. DIET: Eat foods that bring out energy. Eat plenty of good foods with carbohydrates like spaghetti or pastas. Don’t eat them right before games but early in the morning is fine and at night is fine. Those carbs will be there for you when you need them when you are playing multiple games. Breads and pastas. With your metabolism where it is it may be the best and only time you’ll be able to really eat these foods without seeing all the effects on your body. DRINK plenty of fluids. Gatorade, propel, vitamin water even but stay away from high sugar drinks like Red Bulls and Rockstars. The effects can be harsh on your body if these products are overused and they can actually produce the opposite result.

3. ICE: Many growing bodies go through a lot of painful changes during these months. I had ‘osgood slaughters’ on my knees and it hurt bad to play back to back games. Those are the painful bumps that develop on the top of your leg near your knee. Very painful. Anyway, I have been there and been through this before and as much fun as it is I had to learn to listen to my body and if I was sore I had to ice my knees and ankles right away, even if it was for 10-20 minutes in between games. I learned to elevate my legs to get the blood flowing everywhere and to keep fresh instead of getting heavy legs.

At times when how you play is so important it is the little things that can make all the difference. These 3 things are simple and self explanatory but you’ll be surprised how few kids actually do them. You never know who you are going to go up against and who will be watching so when you play you want to make sure you are at your best.

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You would have to say that this is the greatest early round playoff series ever. I mean look with 7 overtimes already having been played. We have a 3 oT game, a 2 ot game and 2 other ot games all prior to the game 7 finale. What are the chances of that happening? What else has happened in the series?

We’ve seen Derrick Rose absolutely shine on a national stage and the Bulls grow up before our eyes. We’ve seen the real benefit of the Bullls getting Salmons and Brad Millers from the Kings. We’ve watched Ben Gordon hit tough shot after tough shot while being guarded by bigger players. Joakim Noah is awakening and developing and much better than I thought.

For the Celtics we’ve watched Rajon Rondo get frustrated time and again and the Bulls aren’t backing down. Paul Pierce is one of the best clutch players in the game and he’s proving it again. We’re watching Ray Allen come back to life as a premier scorer and shooter. For some reason I started to believe that he lost a lot but watching him last night made me realize that on the right team he could score 25-30 every game. Can you believe some of the shots that guy hit last night and throughout this series? The shot Allen hit from the right baseline last night fading away from 22-23 feet was amazing and no wonder all Noah could do was stick his hands up in disbelief.

I won’t say that this series is the best ever because it isn’t for all the marbles but both teams are playing like it and I find myself rearranging my schedule around these games. I’m amazed and proud as a basketball fan even though if Del Negro could manage a game his team would’ve won this series already. I just hope a game 7 doesn’t disappoint.

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