Badminton How To Play

I remember watching that Adamson-UE game where the coach remarked, "Buti na lang sa fourth, we were able to recover," referring to how his team held UE to just one field goal in the final quarter. That defensive masterclass perfectly illustrates what it takes to achieve one of basketball's most impressive statistical feats - the double double. Having coached youth basketball for over a decade, I've seen countless players chase this milestone, but only those who understand its dual nature truly master it.

The beauty of a double double lies in its balance - it demands excellence in two statistical categories, typically points and rebounds, though assists and blocks can also factor in. Most players naturally excel in one area, but the true challenge comes from developing your secondary skill. I always tell my athletes that if you're a natural scorer averaging 15 points per game, you'll need to focus intensely on grabbing those 10 rebounds. The reverse applies for dominant rebounders. What many don't realize is that achieving this requires both physical preparation and basketball IQ. I've found that players who study game footage tend to reach double doubles more consistently because they understand positioning and timing rather than just relying on athleticism.

Let me share some drills that have proven particularly effective. For rebounding, I swear by the "three-position boxout" drill where players rotate between weak side, strong side, and outlet positions, aiming for at least 30 repetitions each practice. For scoring, nothing beats the "game-speed shooting" series - taking exactly the kinds of shots you'll see in games rather than stationary practice. And here's my personal preference: I always emphasize defensive rebounds over offensive ones for players new to this pursuit. Why? Because defensive rebounds come more consistently throughout the game, providing that reliable foundation while you work on your scoring.

The fourth quarter defensive stand in that Adamson game wasn't accidental - it was the culmination of practiced defensive schemes and conditioned responses. Similarly, achieving double doubles consistently requires developing what I call "statistical awareness" without becoming stat-obsessed. I encourage players to mentally track their progress during games but never at the expense of team success. There's an art to knowing when to crash the boards versus getting back on defense, when to look for your shot versus setting up teammates. This situational understanding separates the occasional double double performers from those who achieve them regularly.

What many coaches won't tell you is that some statistical combinations are inherently easier than others. In my experience, points and rebounds represent the most achievable pairing for most players, while points and assists require more specialized skills. Blocks and rebounds can work wonderfully for defensive specialists, though scoring then becomes the challenge. I've maintained records for my teams over the years, and the data shows that players who achieve at least five double doubles in a season typically improve their overall scoring average by 4-6 points and rebounding by 3-4 boards per game, even in subsequent seasons.

Ultimately, the pursuit of double doubles shouldn't be about personal glory but about developing into a more complete player. That Adamson team understood this - their fourth quarter recovery showcased how individual statistical excellence, when properly channeled, creates team success. The players who embrace this balanced approach not only fill up stat sheets but more importantly, become indispensable to their teams. And from my perspective, that's the real value behind chasing those double digit numbers in two categories - it forces growth in multiple dimensions of your game.