[Ed. Note: The following article is borrowed from a 1962 Sports Illustrated "Book of Basketball". Video links within and at the end of the article have obviously been added to use video to show the hook shot.] The great advantage of the hook shot ... is the fact that it is almost impossible to block when executed reasonably correctly. The great drawback of the hook is that it is a very difficult maneuver. It requires utmost precision and concentration, which must be acquired through long … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Shock Your Basketball Coach
Hey basketball player, want to learn how to impress and even shock your basketball coach? Here are ways you can shock your coach: Show up to practice early (extra shooting, skill work, etc). Stay after practice (extra shooting, skill work, etc). Ask questions (shows initiative). Ask for advice on your game. Use it and then thank your coach. Speak well of your coach in front of your teammates, parents, friends, etc. Do more than what is required. Show up ready to work … [Read more...]
The 3 Most Difficult Shots In Basketball
If you can make these 3 shots at a high percentage then you will go down as the hardest player to guard of all time. Yes, these shots have an extremely high level of difficulty, but they also are very difficult to stop. Especially the first one that certain players have built an entire career off of. So with that said lets discuss what these shots are and how to execute each of them. The Hook Shot This is a shot that most post players practice on a regular basis. To execute this shot … [Read more...]
The Power of Respecting Officials
The Duke Basketball program has mastered the art of respecting officials for many years. You will rarely see a Duke player complain or disagree with an official about a call. Simply put, they have learned how to groom officials in a way that typically results in favorable calls later in the game. 3 Reasons you should NOT complain to officials: It Doesn’t Help: Officials don’t have anything against you or your team, until you give them a reason. Reputation: You are creating a … [Read more...]
How Psychology Affects Athletic Performance
The infographic and content below comes to us courtesy of the Ohio University Online Master's in Coaching Education program. While many people may not think it has that much of an impact, it’s been proven that psychology plays a central role in athletic performance. Studies show that over ten psychological factors can affect performance in either a positive or negative way, depending on the situation itself. Things such as goal setting, personal awareness, routine, concentration, meditation, … [Read more...]
Basketball Shooting Concepts and Fundamentals
Concepts Shooting is Repetition “The difference between a good shooter and a great shooter is about 30,000 shots in the summer.” – Dick Motta This repetition is even more important than the fundamentals. There have been great shooters who have glaring flaws in their fundamentals. The consistency of the repetition, however, overcame the poor fundamentals The best scenario, however, is to develop proper fundamentals and then also make the commitment to repetitious … [Read more...]
10 Defensive Commandments For Basketball
We will Master our Footwork. Use quick feet to stop ball penetration. Trust the reach step. Stop penetration with feet and NOT the hands. Having ready and active feet will eliminate fouls. We will be Disciplined. Do not bite on shot fakes, jabs, or pass fakes but check all shots. Control the eyes…watch the ball handler’s midsection, stay in a stance, and always see the basketball when off the ball. We will Communicate Everything. Shot, loose, dead, screen…nothing will be assumed. You … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Defending Great Shooters
You will often find your team going up against another team who has a deadly accurate shooter. He may not only be accurate, but he may understand how to move without the basketball, how to read the defense, and how to catch in a position to shoot quickly. A good shooter can be difficult to defend because the shooter knows when he is going to shoot ... the defensive player does not. The defender must also be to jump as the shooter jumps and go up as high as the shooter. Throw in a few head and … [Read more...]
10 Tips to Better Rebounding
Rebounding is an essential part of winning basketball games. I won't say it's overlooked, but I think many coaches don't emphasize the importance enough. Games are won and lost in a variety of ways but if your team consistently loses the rebounding battle, you will find yourself on the losing end more frequently. Rebounding is a skill but it is also a mentality. The best rebounders understand how to rebound but they will also do whatever it takes to secure the rebound. Rebounding is all about … [Read more...]
Shoot Like Steve Kerr: Five Things Great Shooters Do that All Other Shooters Don't
At all levels of basketball there is a fine line between shooting ability. There are great, good, average, and awful shooters yet most all of these think they are in the “good” category at a minimum. In my 34 years of coaching I've worked with all types of shooters and scorers. As a graduate assistant working for Lute Olson at Arizona from 1985-1987, I had the opportunity to spend hours rebounding for Steve Kerr late at night; when great shooters are made. Kerr was a star at Arizona and enjoyed … [Read more...]