BBL Diaries

by UK American Sports Fans

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In a new series called ‘BBL Diaries’, UKamericansportsfans.com has given one BBL player an opportunity to keep a diary throughout the season. The 2012/13 BBL Diary will be kept up-to-date by Manchester Giant guard, Devan Bailey.

In Devan’s previous entry, he spoke about his off-season and what it’s like to move to a new team. This month, Devan looks back at THAT Cup game against the Glasgow Rocks:

“When I step up to take free throws I clear my mind, ignoring what is around me such as the crowd and other players. I go through shooting the shot in my head, think about shooting them in practice when I’m alone and fire away. I do the same thing every time.

In the Glasgow game after missing the first shot, rather than just shooting the same shot I shoot all the time, I adjusted it. I missed the first free throw long and then shot (the second) to shoot it a bit shorter but it ended up being too short. The 2nd pair I was happy to be going back to the line because that’s a good place to heat up a little, but it just felt a little foreign. I was trying to aim rather than just shoot my shot, which will never benefit.

When I got back to the locker room I felt miserable, I didn’t want to look at anyone, I just wanted the next game to be tomorrow so that I could play well, prove it was a fluke and get on with things.

Its hard to dwell on mistakes but that’s part of the game and that’s the reason we have practice and a basket to shoot at before and after. I’m not the greatest at clearing my mind, I’d think about it for the next few days but just getting in the gym, getting shots up, talking to your coach and knowing in yourself that it won’t happen again. I plan to put myself in those type of situations until they go my way, I’m not the type to scare away from pressure situation so knowing you’ll be doing it over and over is extra motivation to get more shots up. The best way to get over it, is definitely just getting to practice early and shooting the shots you missed over and over.”

To catch up on Devan’s previous BBL Diary entry, click here.