The following are questions you should ask yourself about your opponent. If you know the player you will be guarding or who will be guarding you ahead of time, great! However, you may have to ask many of these question early in a game. You may also need to learn the answers quickly. For instance, if you pressure the ballhandler and he easily gets passed you, maybe you've learned to back off a little bit. Or if he's easily flustered by your pressure, you'll know to keep it up. Either way, you … [Read more...]
The Rebounder's Mindset
The players who are great rebounders understand that to be a great rebounder, it takes more than knowing how to box out. Yes, they can certainly block out effectively on defense and attack the glass on offense, but ultimately, they want the basketball and they are going to get it. They also utilize the following tips: Anticipation. At any level of play, teams do not have a shooting percentage that reaches 50%. Therefore, more than 50% of all shots will be missed. During a game, that is a lot … [Read more...]
10 Steps to a Better Blockout
Winning basketball games is often a direct correlation to your rebounding abilities. Rebounding is so much more than being able to out-jump your opponent -- effective blocking out is a key to rebounding! For players, work on your rebounding skills during drills and scrimmages at each and every opportunity. For coaches, incorporate enough rebounding into practice situations so that players will become instinctive in their rebounding techniques and abilities. The following 10 steps are a good way … [Read more...]
How To Earn More Playing Time
Coach Jacob Yorg, Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, recently shared via Twitter his list for how basketball players can earn more playing time. It is a great list that is important for players to understand if they desire more time on the basketball court! It is also something that, as coaches, we should know so we can help our players know what it takes to get more playing time. Many players simply want to play more but they don't necessarily understand … [Read more...]
Red Holzman’s Ten Criteria to Determine Whether or Not You Are a Complete Defensive Player
William "Red" Holzman (August 10, 1920 – November 13, 1998) was an NBA basketball player and coach probably best known as the head coach of the New York Knicks from 1967 to 1982. Holzman helped lead the Knicks to two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973, and was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1996, Holzman was named one of Top 10 Coaches in NBA History. [More via Wikipedia] The following list of 10 criteria to determine whether or not you are a complete defensive player … [Read more...]
10 Tips to Better Shooting
These simple tips and concepts will help you or your players become a better shooter. These aren't tips on form & technique ... if you're interested in how to shoot, check out our article, The Art of Shooting. Here are the tips. Learn them and start improving as a shooter! Stay calm and relaxed. Do not rush your shot. Shoot only when open. When driving in for a layup, keep your eyes on the basket. Don't worry about the possibility of being fouled. When you twist and turn to … [Read more...]
Intangibles of a Basketball Workout
I noticed a lot of players are missing the boat on HOW to workout. Every basketball player works out. But there is a difference in abilities between those who know HOW to work and those that don't. In this video, Coach Springer of Spartan Basektball talks about the 4 intangibles of a great workout: intention, intensity, reps, results. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzxQWR7ygLQ Implement these concepts into your workouts and see improvements in your basketball skills and … [Read more...]
Developing a Basketball IQ
For players of any sport, building skill and agility are keys to mastering their sport. But certain sports require skills beyond physical strength and endurance. Certain sports require a sense of concentration, fast paced decisions and higher thought skill processes. One of these sports is basketball. Basketball is a fast paced sport with many challenges and you must have a diverse mindset to be a good basketball player. Unlike other contact sports, basketball is a combination of speed, agility … [Read more...]
How to Score Off a Ball Screen
Ball screens can be an a very effective tool in an offense. In order to use them the right way the ball handler needs to be able to read and react to each ball screen situation. The defense can choose between several different tactics when guarding a ball screen. They can show, switch, trap, go under, flat switch, etc. it usually depends on where the ball screen is and what type of players are using the ball screen. Since there are so many different ways the defense can guard the ball screen … [Read more...]
Becoming a Great Shooter
I have been blessed with the ability to shoot a basketball. Even from a young age I was able to consistently take and make shots. Over the years I have had coaches help me with my shot and I have made self adjustments to my shot as well. I believe that I shoot the ball better now then I ever have before. One thing I love to do is shoot 3 pointers and during my Junior year at Liberty University I was able to make over a 100 three's in one season. Going into my Senior year I was ranked the 19th … [Read more...]