For your team to be successful, what are the two things you most need to contribute? If you cannot answer that question immediately and with confidence, you are not yet as influential a teammate (or leader) as you should be. Think of the physical talents you possess. Is your strength ball-handling? Rebounding? Shooting? Quickness and Defending the ball? Knowing your strengths and making a conscious decision to DO WHAT YOU DO WELL and stay away from trying to do things outside your … [Read more...]
So Much More to Give…
Are you really working at basketball as hard as you possibly can? When I was a high school athlete, I thought I was doing everything I could to become a great basketball player. Little did I know, the first day I joined my college teammates for an individual workout session, I was on the sideline puking after 15 minutes of working out. These guys worked out at such a high rate of speed and with such precision that I just could not keep up. It was a sorry site seeing a former “Player of the … [Read more...]
Do You Have Credibility With Your Teammates?
A leader must have credibility. Are you doing everything you can to build credibility with your teammates so that you can build the best TEAM possible? You cannot possibly hold others accountable if you are not doing something yourself. My coach, Don Meyer, used to say: “Your example is not the main thing, it’s the only thing.” So think about it. Are you showing up early for practice and workouts as a way of showing your teammates how important this team is to you? Are you taking care of … [Read more...]
How to Dribble a Basketball
:: From the Hoops U. 'How-To' Series :: Dribbling is how you move the basketball without passing. It allows you to move the basketball up the court. It gives you the chance to pass from a better angle. It is how you can drive to the basket for an easier shot attempt. Dribbling is a necessary basketball skill -- and every dribble should have a purpose! Good basketball players separate themselves from mediocre players by being able to handle the basketball. For beginners, it is essential to … [Read more...]
The Attitude of the Defender
A player's attitude is THE single most important factor in playing tough defense, whether you play man-to-man or zone. Wait a minute, Coach, what about footwork and technique and knowledge of the defensive system? Yes, those are important and necessary if you want to be a great defender. A player with a great attitude will learn how to play defense correctly because he desires to improve and dominate. A player with a bad attitude about defense won't be great even he has great footwork and … [Read more...]
Make Your Shot Automatic!
Most basketball players want to improve their shooting. That is good, but to reach your basketball shooting goals takes daily, specific, measurable goal setting and correct practice. For the average player it takes 20,000 correct repetitions to make your shot automatic. If you shoot 1000 correct shots each day, how many days would it take for your shot to be automatic? The answer is 20 days or less than three weeks. If you shoot 100 correct shots each day, how many days would it take for your … [Read more...]
Correcting Errors in Shooting Off the Dribble
Errors in shooting off the dribble are caused by picking the ball up with your hands on the side of the ball (a major cause of side spin, which causes the ball to circle out) and floating to the side, in or back (resulting in misses to the side, long or short). When shooting a jump shot off the dribble it is easier for most players when dribbling to the strong-hand side. You create space away from your defender with one or two dribbles, then jump behind the ball facing the basket on the … [Read more...]
Detecting Errors in Shooting
The most common errors in shooting are listed below, along with suggestions on how to correct them. Error: Your shot is short. Correction: A shot that is short is usually due to not using your legs, an incomplete follow-through, or a slow or uneven rhythm. Through feel you should be able to determine whether you need to emphasize force from your legs, complete follow-through by keeping your arm up until the ball reaches the basket, or an even paced rhythm. Error: Your shot is … [Read more...]
Basketball Shooting Confidence and Rhythm
Confidence is the Most Important Factor in Shooting Believe in yourself. You want to have confidence in your ability to make the shot every time you shoot. Confident shooters control their thoughts, feelings, and shooting skill. Shooting is much more than good mechanics. It is the feeling, thoughts and belief in your self that comes first. Basketball is a mental, as well as a physical, game. Developing the mental aspect is a key to enhancing shooting as well as performance in all … [Read more...]
How to Shoot a Layup
:: From the Hoops U. 'How-To' Series :: Layups are the easiest and most basic shot in basketball. They are also the first type of shot that players should learn. There are certainly a variety of layups that players can utilize and we'll discuss them below. It is important, however, that players master the fundamental progression. That is, learn the basic layup before attempting reverse layups, finger rolls, etc. Footwork is the biggest factor in shooting a layup and they need to master the … [Read more...]