GET 1% BETTER EVERYDAY - AND ON SOME DAYS GET 2-3% BETTER
- Coach Fred
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Success in basketball—and in life—is built on small, consistent improvements. The best athletes don’t just wake up great; they work at it daily, getting just a little better each time they step on the court. The idea of getting 1% better every day may not seem like much, but over time, it leads to huge growth. And on certain days—when the opportunity is right—you can push yourself to gain 2-3% more.
The Power of Small Gains
The 1% rule is rooted in the idea of marginal gains, a concept made famous by British cycling coach Dave Brailsford. He believed that if his team could improve by just 1% in many small areas, those tiny improvements would add up to big success. The same applies to basketball.
Think about it: if you improve just 1% every day, in a year, you’ll be 37 times better than when you started! That’s because progress compounds over time.
So how do you apply this to your game? Here are some ways to make those daily improvements:
Shooting: Make 50 more free throws than you did yesterday. Improve your form by focusing on follow-through.
Ball Handling: Spend an extra five minutes working on weak-hand dribbling.
Defense: Focus on footwork, staying low, and improving lateral quickness.
Conditioning: Add one more sprint or one more rep in the weight room.
Basketball IQ: Watch game film for 10 minutes every night to study how great players make decisions.
None of these changes will transform your game overnight. But over time, the consistency will lead to massive growth.
Some Days, You Can Improve 2-3%
While daily 1% improvements are key, there will be moments when you can push beyond that and make bigger strides. These are the days when you challenge yourself at a higher level—like attending a skills camp or clinic.
How Camps and Clinics Speed Up Development
Skills camps and clinics provide concentrated, high-level training that can accelerate your progress. Unlike regular team practices, these environments focus entirely on individual skill development.
High Repetition, Focused Training: Camps and clinics allow you to get hundreds of reps in a short time, refining your shooting, passing, and dribbling at a rapid pace.
Exposure to Elite Coaching: Learning from experienced coaches or former college/pro players gives you new insights and techniques you might not get from your regular routine.
Competing Against Top Talent: Playing against other dedicated athletes forces you to raise your level of play.
Learning the Mental Side of the Game: Many camps also teach leadership, mindset, and strategies to build confidence and composure under pressure.
A study by the American Council on Exercise found that focused skill work in a structured environment leads to a 15-25% improvement in overall performance compared to regular team practices alone. This is why top athletes seek out camps, clinics, and private training to gain an edge.
Commit to the Process
Getting 1% better every day requires patience and discipline. Some days, you won’t see immediate results, but trust the process. And when the opportunity comes—whether it’s a camp, a clinic, or a big game—seize it to improve 2-3% in a single day.
NBA legend Tim Duncan once said, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” Keep showing up, keep working, and watch how small gains lead to big success.
Ready to Get Better?
If you're serious about improving, take advantage of skills camps and clinics. They’ll help you accelerate your growth, challenge your limits, and set you apart from the competition. Commit to the grind, and in a year, you won’t recognize the player you’ve become.
Here is an opportunity to get 2-3% better - sign up for our spring break level up training: