“Out of Pocket for Them Jeans”: Calling Out Your Questionable Bar Prep Moves

Yesterday, Tyrese Halliburton made headlines—but not for dropping dimes or leading the Indiana Pacers to a Game 3 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.

Rather, he made headlines because he called out his "pops." On camera. For his jeans.

“You’re out of pocket for them jeans,” he said to his dad, laughing.

Now, if you’re not fluent in Gen Z banter, let me translate: “Out of pocket” means you’re doing something unexpected, inappropriate, wild, or just plain wrong. And in this case, his dad’s jeans were the target. It was all love. But it was also a callout.

So, how does this tie into bar prep? I’m glad you asked.

Because some of you might be "out of pocket" in your study habits. And unlike Tyrese’s dad, the bar exam won’t be laughing with you.

Let’s break it down.

1. Out of Pocket: Ignoring Your Weaknesses

“I don’t need to review Civil Procedure again—I already watched the video.”

✅ In-Pocket Move: Use your data. Your bar prep platform is tracking your performance for a reason. Identify your lowest-scoring subjects and shift your focus there. Reviewing your favorite topic for the fifth time won’t help you pass—but improving in your weakest areas just might.

2. Out of Pocket: Cramming Instead of Training

“I haven’t done MBE questions in two weeks, but I’ll knock out 300 this weekend.”

✅ In-Pocket Move: You wouldn’t train for a marathon by only running on Saturdays. Bar prep is about stamina. Build it gradually—20–30 questions a day, consistently, is far more effective than a last-minute cram session.

3. Out of Pocket: Writing Without a Plan

“I just jump into the essay. IRAC? Yeah, I kind of wing it.”

✅ In-Pocket Move: A 60-second outline before writing your essay can save you from a 10-minute mess. Don’t let your answer spiral. Give it structure. Keep it clean.

4. Out of Pocket: Ghosting Your Support System

“I’m falling behind, so I stopped checking in with my professor/bar coach/accountability partner.”

✅ In-Pocket Move: Don’t disappear when things get hard. That’s when help matters most. The people in your corner are there to help you pass, not to punish you for falling behind. Be real with them—and yourself.

Halliburton clowned his dad because of some questionable fashion choices. But it came from a place of love.

You’ve got to do the same for your bar prep. If something in your routine is out of pocket, call it out. Adjust. Reset. Get back in the game.

Because unlike Halliburton’s dad, you can’t laugh off a low bar score.

Stay focused. Stay real. Stay in pocket.