So, I’ve been thinking a lot about this thing called a “suicide” in basketball. I mean, I played ball back in high school and a bit in college, and those suicide drills were a real killer, you know? It all came rushing back to me when I stumbled upon this book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” Weird connection, right? But it got me thinking about how those drills really tested our limits and how they might even relate to some of the stuff I’ve been reading about lately.
I started digging around, trying to remember how we used to do them. Here’s how I went about it:
- First, I found an old basketball court near my place. It’s a bit worn out, but it does the job.
- Then, I tried to recall the exact steps of the drill. It’s been a while, so I had to do some warm-ups first to get the body moving. A few jogs, some stretches, you know the drill.
- Next, I started with the first line of the court, touched it, and ran back to the baseline. That’s one. Then, I ran to the free-throw line, touched it, and back to the baseline. That’s two. Then, the half-court line, touched it, and back. That’s three. Finally, the far baseline, touched it, and ran all the way back. That’s four. That’s one set of “suicide”.
- After that, I timed myself. Tried to do one set in under 35 seconds. I have to admit, it was rough. I was gasping for air by the end of it.
- Then, I rested for about 30 seconds. Just enough time to catch my breath but not enough to cool down completely.
- Finally, I repeated the whole thing. Aimed for six sets in total, but man, it was tough. My legs were burning, lungs were on fire, but I pushed through.
The Aftermath
After I was done, I felt like I ran a marathon. But there was this sense of accomplishment, you know? It reminded me of those days on the court, pushing myself to the limit. It also got me thinking about some of the stories I’ve been reading about athletes and their struggles. Like that guy, Noah Freidel, who had to step away from basketball to deal with his mental health. Or John Wall, who even thought about ending his life. It’s a heavy topic, but these drills, in a weird way, made me think about the importance of mental toughness and resilience, not just in sports, but in life too.
It’s crazy how a simple drill can bring back so many memories and make you think about so many things. Basketball, life, struggles, it’s all connected somehow. I’m just sharing my experience here, hoping maybe someone else can relate or maybe it’ll spark a thought or two. That’s all for now, folks. Stay strong, both on and off the court.
