Mistakes Young Players Make

Every basketball player makes mistakes. Missed shots, turnovers, defensive breakdowns, and bad decisions are part of learning the game. What separates players who continue to improve isn’t avoiding mistakes altogether, it’s learning what to do after they happen.

For young players especially, basketball should be a place to develop skills, confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Whether you’re preparing for the ICI Middle School or Upper School team, playing pickup basketball, or simply trying to get better, here are some common mistakes to avoid.

1. Being Afraid to Make Mistakes

One of the biggest mistakes a player can make is playing scared.

If you’re constantly worried about missing a shot, turning the ball over, or disappointing your teammates, you’ll have a hard time playing confidently. Coaches don’t expect perfection. They want players who listen, work hard, make adjustments, and keep going.

Miss a shot? Get back on defense.

Turn the ball over? Hustle and try to get it back.

Make the wrong read? Learn from it and make a better one next time.

The next play matters more than the last one.

2. Only Practicing the Things You’re Already Good At

It’s fun to practice the things you do well. It’s much harder to work on your weaknesses.

A strong ball handler still needs to work on defense. A great shooter still needs to learn how to pass. A post player benefits from improving footwork and ball handling.

Spend time becoming a more complete basketball player, not just a better scorer.

3. Thinking Scoring Is the Only Way to Help Your Team

Points are easy to notice, but basketball games are won with much more than scoring.

Rebounding. Defense. Communication. Setting screens. Making the extra pass. Diving for loose balls. Encouraging teammates. Sprinting back on defense.

You can have a huge impact on a game without ever being the leading scorer.

4. Letting One Bad Play Become a Bad Game

Every player has frustrating moments. What matters is how quickly you recover.

Basketball moves fast. If you’re still thinking about what happened two possessions ago, you’re probably going to miss what’s happening right now.

Learn from it. Reset. Play the next possession.

5. Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else

Players develop at different speeds. Some have played organized basketball for years. Others are just beginning.

Instead of asking, “Am I as good as her?” ask:

Am I better than I was a month ago?

That’s the comparison that matters.

6. Forgetting to Be a Great Teammate

Talent matters. Character matters too.

Communicate. Encourage your teammates. Listen when coaches are speaking. Celebrate someone else’s success. Bring positive energy to practice and games.

ICI Girls Basketball is about developing players on and off the court.

Stay Connected With ICI Girls Basketball

Want to know about pickup games, workouts, practices, team information, and other opportunities?

Join our BAND group:
Join ICI Girls Basketball on BAND

Follow us on Instagram:
Follow @icimagine.wbb on Instagram