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New in the Insider Basketball Playbook

3/4 Court Two Long Play

3-Man Weave Rebounding Drill

Jump to the Ball Drill

2-on-2 Competitive Give-and-Go Drill

2-on-2 Competitive Rebounding Drill

Reversal for 3

Basketball Fundamentals 101

Fundamental Basketball Skill #3 - Jumping

The third fundamental skill taught is jumping.  Being a good jumper in basketball is an important skill but not just for having to the ability to jump high.  A basketball player needs to be able to jump quickly and explosively.  What I mean by jumping 'quickly' is the ability to get off the floor quickly -- and possibly -- multiple times in a row without losing the quickness.

Jumping high has obvious benefits (dunking, shot blocking, shooting over defenders, rebounding) however you cannot be great at any of those skills without being able to jump quick.  For example, I may be a good shot blocker, but how many possible blocks do I miss because my opponent was able to get off the ground quicker than me?  The same question can be asked for dunking/layups, rebounding, and shooting.

It is also important for basketball players to have a good jumping ability from the basketball position.  About the only opportunity a player has to jump from a full running start is on a fast break dunk and/or layup.  Most jumping performed throughout a game is from out of the basketball position; jumping for a rebound after boxing out, jumping to take a shot after coming off a screen, jumping to block a shot while defending a player.  Therefore, a basketball player can be that much more effective at jumping when he or she can also do so from the basketball position.

The drills below effectively teach a basketball player to jump quickly and under control.  If you want to dramatically improve vertical jump, explosiveness, strength, and many more athletic skills check out 'The Complete Basketball Strength & Speed Program' from HoopsU.com and the 'Hoops U. Vertical Jump Training Program'.

In jumping from the basketball position, the emphasis and teaching points are:

• Drop the rear slightly lower
• Swing the arms up as you jump for added momentum
• Jump quickly and with power
• Flex the feet as you extend into the jump
• Be able to jump several times consecutively
• Be able to land with balance and control and return to basketball position
• More tips and pointers will be found in the drills below

1. Jumping Techniques -- How to Have an Effective Vertical Jump

John Wooden: Thinking Like a Champion
John Wooden's 'Thinking Like a Champion' has just been reissued on DVD. In this Q & A with former UCLA great Keith Erickson recorded in 1994, Coach Wooden discusses his philosophies on life and athletics.