France League

I remember the first time I watched June Mar Fajardo play - the man moves through the restricted area like he owns the paint. His approach reminds me of that quote where he said, "Hindi ko alam, pero may gamot naman na iniinom. Basta pahinga lang. Isang araw, okay na siguro 'yun. Tulog lang." That casual confidence translates perfectly to his basketball philosophy. He treats the restricted area like his personal recovery zone - a place where he can rest, reset, and then dominate. And honestly, that mindset changed everything for my own inside scoring game.

Most players rush their restricted area moves, but the real secret lies in that patient, almost meditative approach Fajardo mentions. I used to charge into the paint like a bull seeing red, but after studying players like Fajardo, I learned to slow down. The restricted area isn't just four feet from the basket - it's a psychological space where games are won. When I started treating it as my personal recovery zone between moves, my scoring percentage jumped from 42% to nearly 58% on shots within this critical area. That's the difference between being just another big man and becoming a genuine scoring threat.

Let me paint you a picture from my own experience. Last season, we were down by two with fifteen seconds left. Instead of forcing up a contested shot like I would have done previously, I established deep position in the restricted area, took a breath like Fajardo suggests, and waited. The defender anticipated a quick move, but I gave a slight shoulder fake, pivoted baseline, and laid the ball in as time expired. That patience came directly from adopting what I call the "Fajardo philosophy" - treating the restricted area like your personal sanctuary rather than a battleground.

What most coaches don't tell you is that footwork in the restricted area needs to feel natural, almost instinctual. I spent three months drilling nothing but pivot moves within that four-foot radius. At first, it felt restrictive - pardon the pun - but gradually, I began to understand the geometry of the space. The key isn't having ten different moves; it's mastering two or three that you can execute without thinking. My favorite is the simple drop step - when timed perfectly, it gives you a 72% chance of scoring according to my personal tracking, compared to just 48% for more complicated spin moves.

The mental aspect is where Fajardo's approach really shines. His "rest and recovery" mindset applies beautifully to how you approach each possession in the paint. Instead of fighting through contact, I learned to use it. When a defender pushes, I give way slightly - just enough to create separation - then explode upward. It's like breathing: absorb the pressure, then release. This subtle adjustment increased my and-one opportunities from maybe one per game to three or four. Defenders get frustrated because they can't figure out why their physicality isn't working anymore.

Sealing your defender is another underestimated art form. I used to think it was all about strength, but it's really about timing and angles. The best seals happen before you even receive the ball. I watch for when my defender's weight shifts to one foot, then I immediately establish position. It's like finding that perfect sleeping position Fajardo mentions - once you're comfortable, everything else becomes easier. From that sealed position, my scoring efficiency skyrockets to around 68% compared to 52% when catching the ball outside ideal position.

The beauty of mastering restricted area scoring is how it opens up everything else. Once defenders respect your inside game, perimeter opportunities appear. I've noticed that since improving my paint presence, my mid-range attempts have become more open, with defenders playing about six inches further back on average. They're so worried about giving up easy baskets that they become hesitant on close-outs. This domino effect has added roughly 4-5 points per game to my scoring average without taking more shots - just better ones.

What surprised me most was how restricted area mastery improved my passing. When you become a legitimate threat down low, defenders collapse, creating openings everywhere. Last season, my assist numbers jumped from 1.2 to 3.4 per game simply because I learned to draw double teams and find open shooters. It's like Fajardo's approach to recovery - sometimes the best move isn't forcing something, but waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.

I'll leave you with this thought: the restricted area isn't about physical dominance alone. It's about adopting that calm, almost casual confidence that Fajardo embodies. Next time you practice, spend thirty minutes just feeling the space - not shooting, not posting up aggressively, just understanding how your body moves within those four feet. Notice where defenders tend to position themselves, learn the sweet spots on the floor, and develop your go-to moves until they become as natural as breathing. Trust me, that investment will transform your inside scoring faster than any fancy dunk or complicated post move ever could.