Posts Tagged ‘Dribbling’

Varied Basketball Dribbling Drills For Improving Your Game

August 21st, 2010

Dribbling may seem like a pretty basic skill, but it is absolutely essential to know and gain expertise at if you are going to be a good player. Basketball dribbling drills are the best way for athletes to master this skill. You have to be able to advance the court with the ball without the other team intercepting. There are a number of advanced techniques that make players pros on the court.

In order to become advanced, you must first start off with the basics. Coaches use several different drill techniques for various drill maneuvers, like basketball shooting drills. Players must learn how to dribble in place, through on coming defense, moving forwards and backwards, and in several other play scenarios. You can not play basketball if you do not know how to dribble.

There are a number of ways to learn how to effectively dribble the ball. All types of players from recreational to pro use many of the same dribble skills. Practicing your basketball skills every day will fine tune your game. Coaches have come up with specific exercises that help their team members become experts in this very important aspect of the game. Here are just a few.

All coaches use what is known as figure eights. Players get into their triple threat positions and dribble the ball in between their legs forming the number eight. They repeat this drill many times until the speed becomes more rapid. This move can be done in forward and backward directions.

There is also the zig-zag drill that coaches use to build agility and ball handling. Teams dribble along the right side of the court at an angle. Once they get to the free throw, they must quickly switch up with a cross over using the other hand. This move is repeated back and forth over several minutes. Coaches also use this drill to build up defensive skills.

More intricate exercises include the two ball drill routines that coaches use to improve ball handling and coordination skills. Players begin by dribbling two balls at the same time. They must run from the baseline to the free throw line while both basketballs hit the ground at the same time. When they get to the line, they have to alternate the dribble. Each ball must now hit the ground at separate times.

There are also odd shaped reaction balls that have a unique six-sided design that makes them bounce in different directions. These balls are used to build a player’s reaction time regarding ball handling. They are used to help player move quicker with the ball. Coaches use them to improve hand, eye and feet co-ordination. There are several other exercises used with reaction balls to improve players performance on the court.

These are just a few of the basketball dribbling drills. There are many more that coaches use to build their team’s skills before moving on to basketball shooting drills. Athletes must also take the time to practice on their own. The dribble is a very basic function of basketball, but must be practiced and perfected in order to become an effective player on the court.

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Basketball Dribbling Secrets, Tips, And Drills

June 9th, 2010


Image : http://www.flickr.com

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a guard, forward, or center, good ball-handling skills are essential in basketball. In today’s competitive age, you better be ready to put the ball on the floor. Even centers and power forwards are becoming more versatile than ever, raising the bar of competition with every year that passes.

Dribbling a basketball does not mean fancy moves that break your defender’s ankles, it simply means the ability to handle the ball and reach your desired objective.

These “desired objectives” are the real secrets to dribbling a basketball. Understanding these secrets will make you a better ball-handler practically overnight.

There are 3 secrets, and they are as follows:

1) Protect the ball – The 1st objective of dribbling is to make sure you don’t turn it over.

2) Create space – The 2nd objective is to create space between you and your defender, so you can effectively relieve pressure to get off a shot or a pass.

3) Get past – This means getting past your defender. The 3rd objective is to get ahead of your defender to create dribble penetration. This opens up scoring and passing options for your entire team.

Even though the above 3 points may seem obvious, many players seem to ignore the basic fundamentals of dribbling a basketball, which is simply understanding what to do with the ball.

Depending on your skills and talents, you can choose one, two, or all three of the above objectives and fine tune your ball handling skills towards meeting your chosen goal(s).

When handling a basketball, you’re not trying to show off and intimidate the opponent, although these can be secondary goals depending on whether psychological tactics will help you win.

Now that you know the the goals, here’s some tips and drills on how you can become a better ball-handler:

- Dribble with your fingers primarily. This gives you better control and feel for the ball, which in turn allows you to quickly react to pressure or execute a quick move. Its important to work on strengthening your overall grip, your forearm strength, and finger flexibility.

- As soon as you execute a fast, wide dribble move, slightly palm the ball, but don’t overdo it. During a wide crossover, for example, slightly palming the ball will prevent it from sliding off your fingers.

- Keep your defender guessing. This is very important. You have to incorporate head, shoulder, and leg fakes to confuse your defender. The goal is to make sure he/she never knows what you’re going to do next. Its helpful to keep switching the ball from your left and right hands, so the defender does not know which direction you’re going.

- Learn to dribble with both hands. This is an invaluable tip, and a simple basketball drill to work on this is to dribble two balls at the same time, running up and and down the court. Once you become good at that, you can start doing moves while dribbling two basketballs.

Make sure to review the above tips, secrets, and basketball drills, and you’ll have a new philosophy on ball-handling. Remember, dribbling can only be effective when there’s a purpose…an end goal. The next step after improving your ball-handling is towork on 1-on-1 offensive moves to help you become a true scoring threat.

Doge Naseh is a basketball trainer and coach, helping thousands of players and coaches from around the world take it to the next level. His website, http://www.basketball-drills-and-plays.com helps coaches improve their teams and helps players improve their games. He also publishes 2 newsletters that contain many tips, tricks, and secrets on how to be the best in the game. Subscription to these newsletters is available for free at: http://www.basketball-drills-and-plays.com

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Basketball Dribbling Tips & Tricks : How to Dribble a Basketball Backing Up

March 3rd, 2010

The back up dribble can help you get out of trouble during a basketball game when two or more opponents are trying to trap you to steal the ball. Learn how to dribble a basketball while backing up in this free sports practice video.Expert: Travis Waack Contact: yourorganics.net Bio: Travis Waack has been playing basketball since he was 8. He has played at the junior college level & now coaches his son’s team. He still participates in league play & also plays pick up games. Filmmaker: Travis Waack

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Great Tips on Basketball Dribbling and Ball Handling Skills

December 16th, 2009


Image : http://www.flickr.com

In a basketball game, can you guess who often gets the most “ooos” and “ahhhs” from the audience? It is usually the guards ball-handling past the defender!

The purpose of this article is to teach players how to elude defenders with the dribble, creating opportunities to score on the offensive end while at the same time protecting the ball. It also has an in-depth guide section on different basketball dribbling tips to increase your ball-handling ability.

Basketball dribbling allows you to move on the basketball court while in possession of the basketball. Basketball players first learn to dribble the basketball with one hand, then to alternate hands, and progressively to increase to more advanced basketball dribbling. Once mastered, each move can become a powerful weapon. As a basketball player, a powerful and effective way to keep defenders on their toes and increase your threat as an offensive player is to develop an agile and quick basketball dribbling technique.

Firstly, basketball dribbling is not done while staring at the ball. Dribbling on the side minimizes the possibility of getting your ball stolen. You dribble with your finger tips and pads of the hands without looking at the ball. Finger tips give you more control over the basket ball. Lower your body slightly so that the ball is bouncing rapidly at waist level. When times switching the ball from one hand to another, bouncing the ball hard off the ground allows you to greatly reduce the time the ball is out of your control.Keep your head up at all gives you the vision on what is happening on the court and your defender while you dribble.

Also, to be an advanced ball-handler, basketball dribbling becomes more of a physical-plus-mental thing. There are many things you need to keep in mind.

At first, you need to calculate how much spin and how hard you are dribbling and where the ball is landing in good hand-eye-leg coordination. When you dribble from one hand to the other, try absorbing the force and you will have a better control. Keep a constant rhythm in your dribble right until you are about to dribble past your opponent. The change of rhythm can get your opponent slightly off-balance, also. The ability to add spin the ball gives you greater maneuverability. After the ball bounces off the floor, the ball will have some hangtime in the air. You should use this hangtime well to execute eye and shoulder fakes or delay the following bounce to freeze your defender. But if you wait until the ball rests completely in your hand, you will delay your basketball dribbling. So striking the balance between speed and control is very important.

Frequently shift your momentum to different directions while anticipating how the defender will react to your actions. It is often that you give your intentions away and your defender knows it. However, you can actually use this in against direction. Look at the defender naturally and occasionally scan for open players. Then, look at the side opposite to your target lane when you are about to burst. Shake your shoulder and arm towards the side opposite to your target lane. The fake is a very powerful weapon.

Good basketball dribbling and ball handling are a way more than “nice looking moves”, its about protecting the ball, being able to create plays, get open for shots, and a whole lot more. Increasing your vertical reach on a basketball court can help you become a better ballplayer. If you’re able to jump higher than other players, you have a better chance of grabbing rebounds, elevating higher toward the hoop or blocking your opponents’ shots. The Vertical Jump Manual is an “all in one” vertical jump training providing you with absolutely everything you need to achieve your maximum vertical jump! Take advantage of it now!

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