BASKETBALL-TIPS
#1 - Stay in StancePLAY WITH YOUR KNEES BENT. Always stay in stance. It is your point of maximum explosion. Just Like a track sprinter coming out of the blocks. Be ready to move. The lowest person wins.
#2 - Contest EVERY ShotGET A HAND UP ON EVERY SHOOTER The only person who can score is the one with the ball. Go guard him even if it is not your man. Contest the shot even if it means leaving your feet(but don't fall for a head fake too easily!).
#3 - Two HandsGAIN POSSESSION WITH TWO HANDS Catch the ball with 2 hands-concentrate on the catch before you do anything else. Rebound with 2 hands-and try for every one. Pick up a loose ball with 2 hands-pick it up don't dribble it
#4 - Run HardTRY TO OUT RUN YOUR OPPONENT EVERY TIME You will usually break their will with your first three steps. It will help you get easy shots on offense with your fast break. Getting back on defense will help stop their fast break.
#5 - Pass to the first Open TeammatePASS TO THE FIRST OPEN PERSON Passing the ball is faster than dribbling it.If you move the ball, you make the defense adjust and they might make a mistake and leave someone(maybe you!) open. Don't wait for a better pass. Remember - "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"
#1 Pressure on the BasketballAlways try to put defensive pressure on the player with the basketball. Pressure makes the offense worry more about the defense than what they are supposed to do in their offense. Rick Majerus, the coach at the University of Utah, says that pressure is when the referee is counting. If the defense is within 6 feet, the offense can only hold or dribble the ball for 5 seconds each. Play close enough to the ball to try to get a "5 count"
#2 Jump to the passWhen you are on defense, every time someone passes the basketball, take a few steps in the direction that it is thrown. This will put you in a position to stop your man if he tries to cut to the basket. You also will be in the right spot to help your teammates, if their man dribbles by them.
#3 See your man and the basketballAlways be able to see your man & the man with the basketball. You need to be able stop your man AND help your teammates if they get beat on the dribble.
#4 Stop the basketballWhen on defense, react to the basketball and help your teammates. The only man that can score is the man with the ball. If he`s open - go guard him. If he passes the ball back to your man, sprint back and be ready to pressure him again.
#1 Establish a pivot footWhen you catch the ball, plant one foot and establish a pivot foot. This will allow you to use the other foot for a "rocker move" that can fake out a defender, or to set up another move.
#2 Face the basketWhen you catch the basketball, turn & face the basket and get into "triple threat position". This is the position that you will be able to shoot, pass, or dribble from. Then the defense has more things to worry about and you will be hard to guard.
#3 Dribble for a reasonIf you dribble the basketball, only dribble for a good reason. Good reasons to dribble are: to dribble the ball up the floor, to drive to the basket, to get in better position to make a pass, or to relieve some defensive pressure.
#4 Good shot or Bad shot?Don't ever surprise anyone with your shot. If your teammates and coach expect you to shoot, it`s probably a shot that they think you can make. They also will be ready for an offensive rebound or to get back on defense. That makes it a good shot. A rebound gives your team another chance to score. If your team is not back on defense, you might give up an easy fast break basket to the other team.
Offensive and Defensive musts!The bottom line is when on offense make sure that your team gets a shot every time. On defense contest every shot the other team takes.

CampsCamps are a great way to introduce youngsters to basketball and refine the game of older players. When looking for a camp, choose one that emphasizes teaching over playing. This will allow players to get the most out of the camp experience by teaching them the fundamentals of the game.
A Great Way to LearnThere are thousands of books available on every basketball topic that you could imagine. Search the library, bookstores, and the internet for information on the basketball topic that interests you.
BALLHANDLING & DRIBBLING DEVELOPMENT-BALLHANDLING & DRIBBLING DEVELOPMENT is full of descriptions of the fundamentals of dribbling, and a variety of dribble moves to advance the ball up the floor - or set up your dribble drive. A series of ballhandling and dribbling drills begins from the novice to the advanced player and gives a proper progression on how to become the best dribbler that you can be. http://www.basketball4all.homestead.com Basketball4all - the place to go when you need to know !! ORDER HERE
COMPLETE BASKETBALL CONDITIONING-COMPLETE BASKETBALL CONDITIONING offers programs to use all year long. Breaks down strength training into off season, pre season and in season. Programs for quickness and agility, plyometrics, medicine ball drills, and jump training are included, along with a section to build your own pre season conditioning program in order to get your players ready to compete when the season starts.ORDER HERE to know !!
EFFECTIVE PRACTICE PLANNING-EFFECTIVE PRACTICE PLANNING takes the coach through the entire season and offers an organized approach to planning the season, developing a practice plan, and ensuring that nothing is missed in preparation for each week. Provides a sample of strategies, skills, and drills that you may do daily, every other day, weekly, or occasionally. Not just a booklet of drills, but a plan of attack so that no stone is left unturned. ORDER HERE
PASSING MADE PERFECT-PASSING MADE PERFECT is full of descriptions of the fundamentals of passing, and a variety of passes to advance the ball up the floor - or enter your offense. A series of passing drills begins from the novice to the advanced player and gives a proper progression on how to become the best passer that you can be. ORDER HERE
SCOUTING MADE SIMPLE-SCOUTING MADE SIMPLE provides a thorough system of scouting an opponents tendencies, offensive patterns, defensive strategies and individual strengths and weaknesses. Includes a usable 4-page report, that is a simple and efficient checklist for the coach to use with enough diagrams to cover even the most complex teams. A complete explanation of each page and suggestions for its' use is highlighted by a method to chart each player and a assist in developing a game plan to stop them. ORDER HERE
Coaches ClipboardThis is the complete collection of all Coach's Clipboard files on CD-ROM. The CD includes the Playbook and Appendix, the Animated Diagrams, and all of the video clips. The Playbook contains over 300 pages of offenses, defenses, plays, articles, strategy, player fundamentals, etc. as seen on this website. The Appendix contains coaching aids such as practice planning, stats sheets, shot charts, scouting forms, court diagrams, etc. The animated diagrams bring the offenses and defenses to life and help demonstate the important timing of a play. The video clips demonstate important player fundamentals and how to teach them. ORDER HERE
Improve your Court SenseACE (Applied Cognitive Engineering) has developed The ACE IntelliGym(tm), a revolutionary training tool that evaluates the skill-set of each player's brain skills and administers a customized training program to fit that player's individual needs then self-adjusts the regimen during the 8 week program as progress occurs in specific areas. The software enables basketball players to dramatically improve their game-intelligence skills.The ACE IntelliGym(tm) directly stimulates the brain-functions responsible for basketball's cognitive skills such as decision making and execution, shot selection and team play, movement anticipation and pattern recognition, peripheral vision and spatial awareness, unpredictability and overall court sense. By doing so, this unique trainer enables super-quick development of proficiencies that, until now, were considered an "instinct", something that the players either have or they don't. In the '60's and '70's basketball training was all about fundamental skill aquisition and footwork. In the '80's and '90's it was about physical training and getting bigger, stronger , faster. Now it's time to address the final frontier...the brain! ORDER HERE
The Swish Video & DVD "A Guide to Great Basketball Shooting""Swish" is available as both a 56-minute Video and a 56 -minute DVD, covering two kinds of shots: jump shots and free throws. These shots are where the decline in shooting proficiency in the game today is most evident. Swish is a complete package ... all you'll need (plus a ball and basket, of course) to coach yourself or others in great shooting. The principles are easy to understand. There are not a lot of rules and tips and shoulds and shouldn'ts, but rather simple "wisdom" about how to control the flight of a basketball.  ORDER HERE
A History of Basketball in Basketball VideosSince the broadcasting and taping of basketball games, there have been many great moments preserved on film. The advances in basketball over time can be clearly seen in how basketball videoshave changed. In the 50s and 60s, basketball videos were strictly instructional - aside from the occasional spot on the Wide World of Sports. In the 70s, there were more basketball videos made focusing on great league matchups like Wilt vs. Russell. Since the 1980s however, basketball videos have been made chronicling every major event, league championship, and great player. If you are looking to learn the history of the game, get your hands on basketball videos from every era and break out the popcorn.
Are Basketball Training Videos the Way to Go for Your Team?If you are a coach looking for a way to get through and truly teach your players, there are many basketball training videos that may help. Many basketball training videos cover pure conditioning drills. Other videos target more advanced basketball theory and skill. No matter what level you coach at, there are basketball training videos that can help you be a better coach and teacher to your players. First, make sure your players wouldn't mind sitting in front of a TV instead of a practice on the floor. If so, choose your videos to match their skill levels, watch them, and then practice what they have learned on the court for the last few minutes of practice. Then, at your next practice, drill the players on what they should have learned from the training video. If it didn't stick, watch it again, and repeat the process.
Basketball Instructional Videos - A Great Way to Learn The GameWhen teaching young players the game of basketball,  basketball instructional videos sure can make your life easier. It isn't hard to get kids to watch the television these days, so take  advantage of this by purchasing instructional basketball videos for them to watch. What they'll learn about dribbling, passing, defensive positioning, and rebounding is astounding. . 
I recommend basketball instructional videos to anyone who is looking to teach the game at any level. Rent or buy some basketball videos for your players, and your coaching job will get easier overnight.
Basketball Videos that will Help Your GameIf you are like most, you learn the best through visual learning and instruction. To help you, there have been many basketball videos developed that will assist you in bettering your skills. Whether you want to learn how to dribble better or shoot better, professional trainers have the videos for you. Since the days of black and white film, there have been basketball training videos covering passing, defense, ball-handling, and much more. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Figure out where the weakness is in your game and get a training video that fits your needs.
Better Free Throw Shooting through Instructional VideosMore than anything else, games are won and lost at the free throw line. Any basketball player who is serious about their game needs to perfect their free throw shooting abilities. Many players have very different free throw shooting routines. In fact, the greatest free throw shooter of all time, Rick Barry, actually shot his free throws 'granny-style'. No matter what your free throw shooting routine is, there are fundamentals that every player should know. The best way to learn about these fundamentals is with the help of a basketball instructional video. Beyond technique, these videos can help you learn how to focus at the line as well as many other important factors aside from your shot. Check out one of these videos, watch it, and take what you learn with you on your next trip to the line.
Improve Your Shooting with a Basketball Shooting VideoRepetition is the key to improving your shooting. There are many basketball shooting videos out there to help you with technique. But no  basketball video  can make you go outside and shoot 1,000 shots a day. If you need help with your technique, find a shooting video that can instruct you on how to fine-tune your shot. After honing your technique, get a ball and a hoop and shoot, shoot, shoot. Larry Bird said that when he was young, he would shoot over 1,000 shots a day, from all over the court. That worked pretty well for him, wouldn't you say? If you want to improve your shooting, practice, practice, practice.
Teach Your Players Through Basketball VideosFew coaches can successfully coach their team without some help. Basketball videos  are one of the best coaching aids available. These are more than just a way to teach fundamentals to your players. With the easy access to video cameras today, filming your player practices and games for later review can give your players insight into their game that they would have no other way of seeing. If you have the ability, get an assistant who can film more than just a broad view of the court. When basketball players can see themselves from afar, they will better understand how they should be fitting in to different offensive and defensive schemes. Combine this with basketball training videos from professionals, and have at least one practice session a week that is nothing more than players sitting in front of a TV and VCR.
Around the WorldCircling the basketball first around your head, than your waist, Finally, put your legs together and take the ball around both legs at the knees. Then spread your legs, bend at the waist, and take the ball around one leg. Then the other. This will give you a feel for the basketball and help you become more comfortable in your ball handling. A good hand speed and coordination drill, also great conditioner for your arms
Ball CircleA great way to become comfortable with the basketball is to take it and circle it around your head, then around your waist, and, finally, around your knees. Reverse direction and take the ball back up--around the knees, waist, and head.
Between the Legs ScissorsTo start the drill, place your left foot ahead of your right and bounce the ball between your legs from your right hand to your left. As the ball gets to your left hand shift your feet so that your right leg goes ahead of your left and bounce the ball back between your legs. This shifting of your feet will occur with every bounce.
Catch-catch-catchThis is a drill to work on your ballhandling. Hold the ball between your legs, with both hands on the ball, right hand in front and left hand in back. Quickly switch your hands,(now left hand in front and right hand in the back), without letting the ball touch the ground. Do as quickly as possible...this drill is one of the hardest to master... but it just takes lots of practice.
Crab WalkThis drill can go from baseline to half court. Step forward with your left leg and pass the ball from your right hand to your left under your left leg. As you take your next step with your right leg, pass the ball from your left hand to your right under your right leg. Continue this pattern all the way down the floor.
Figure 8Spread your legs, bend at the waist, put the ball through your legs, around one leg, back through your legs, and around your other leg, making a figure eight. This will help you get a feel for the basketball as you move it around. Keep your head up not looking at the ball and increase your speed.
Figure 8 DribblingThis is a drill to practice your ballhandling. Dribble the ball as quickly as possible in a figure 8 through and around the legs. Use the fingers when you dribble, and dribble very low and quickly. Switch from the right to the left and back to the right. Example: start with the right hand dribbling the ball in front and then dribble through your legs with your right hand, switch to your left hand and dribble from the back, around your left side to the front and back through you legs... then switch to your right hand behind the body and around the right side. Try to go as fast as possible, and your dribbling skills will improve with daily practice.
Figure Eight DropThe ball is moved around the outside of the left legfrom the back to the front. Then it is passed in front of your body and around the outside of your right leg from front to back. Now the ball is between your legs at the back of your body. Bounce the ball, and as it is bouncing, reverse your hands, bring your right from the back to the front and your left from the front to the back. Catch the ball before it bounces again. Continue to do figure eights.
Figure Eight Drop ReverseFor this drill, follow the procedure described in the Figure Eight Drop Drill, except that when you bounce the ball, your movement will be reversed. After the bounce, circle the ball around the outside of your right leg, in front of your left leg, and around your left leg from the front to the back.
Figure Eight--Running in PlaceMove the ball around your legs as in the Figure Eight Drill, but in addition, run in place.
One on twoA good drill to use to better your dribbling under pressure is to try to advance the ball against two defenders. This will force you to use a variety of manuevers while being alert to the defense.
Pass and CatchWith 2 hands, make a bounce pass between your legs from front to back and catch the ball with 2 hands behind you. Then bounce the ball through your legs from the back to the front, and catch the ball in front of your body. This is a good drill for body awareness.
Situp DribbleWhile doing bent-knee situps, dribble up with your right hand as you sit up, and around your feet, then switch hands to your left as you go back down, and then dribble with your left hand as you sit up, back around your feet, switching back to your right hand. Continue as quickly as possible.
Squeeze the bananaThis is a drill that helps increase the strength in your fingers. Hold the ball in front of you at eye level with two hands. By squeezing your fingers and thumb together with one hand at a time, you move the ball from one hand to the other as quickly as you can. More finger and arm strength will imrove your ball control.
Touch-Touch-TouchThis is another ballhandling drill that seems very difficult at first, but with daily practice, will improve your handles. This drill is called touch-touch-touch because that is what you do... while keeping the ball between your legs, you touch the ball once with your right hand(fingers) in front, then with your left hand(fingers) in front, then with your right behind you, and then with your left behind you. Continue in this manner as fast as possible. Before long, you will master this skill.
Up the LadderHold the ball out in front of you and pass it back from hand to hand using only your finger tips. Go from out in front of your waist to above your head and back. This will help you develop the finger tip control that you will need to properly handle the ball.
Crossover moveThis is a popular move in today's game and is exciting to watch. Place the ball in your right hand. Then, while stepping forward with your right foot, crossover to your left hand. The crossover dribble should be lower and closer to your body than all the other dribbles. Your left foot should be hitting the ground just as the ball reaches your left hand. Then, explode to the basket.
Hesitation MoveThis is a great move for a guard. Dribble fast past your defender, then slow down like you are going to stop and take the jumpshot, and then go fast past your defense. Often you will catch them flat footed, and you will get an open lane to the basket.
Speed dribbleThe speed dribble is used to advance the ball quickly up the floor, against little or no defensive pressure.The dribblers hand should be behind the ball pushing it in front, then running to catch up. This prevents a "palming" or "carrying over" violation. The speed dribble on the open floor can be a little higher than other dribbles. Control dribble moves should be around the knee, but a speed dribble can be waist to chest high.
Spin DribbleDribble in one direction then quickly jump stop, reverse pivot, take an extra dribble with the same hand, then push the ball in front of you and explode past the defender. The move must be done low and under control to protect the ball and not create a turnover.
Stutter step moveThis is a great move for a guard also. Dribble hard toward the defender, take some hard steps in place, and then go fast past the defense. Often you will catch them flat footed and you will have an open lane to the basket.
Between the LegsAnother more advanced way to change directions and protect the ball is with a between the legs dribble. This should only be used when necessary as a change of pace, and not to be fancy or "showboat". Dribble in one direction, jump stop, and dribble the ball from the front to back and between your legs to protect the ball. Change directions with a big step and explode by the defender.
What Coaches like...Coaches like a person who can dribble with both hands...someone who doesn't try to show off all the time...who just gets the job done...someone who isn't afraid to make the extra pass to get a teammate more open than you even if you are wide open...and if coaches like you, then they tell other coaches and word spreads very quickly and just by doing the little things you can have a name for yourself by just doing the things coaches like.
Crossover dribbleWhen doing cross overs a quick and sudden shift of weight and movement will get you past your defender. Make sure you put your weight on the foot opposite the direction that you want to go. This will make your fake look real. Then cross over to the other side with a big step to explode past your defender. The crossover dribble must be lower and than closer to your body than the other dribbles.
Developing your "off" handIt is important to work right from the start at developing both hand equally well. When practicing your ball handling, make sure that you practice at least as much with your weak hand as you do your strong hand, eventually increasing to twice as much with your weak hand.
Dribbling to avoid pressureBy dribbling the ball over half court on the sideline, you are giving the defense an advantage. They can set up their help side defense or trap you. Change directions and it helps relieve some pressure. As often as possible, bring the ball up the middle of the court.
Figure 8 DribbleA good way to become more comfortable in dribbling is to use dribbling drills. An excellent beginning drill is the Figure 8 Dribble. Spread your legs and bend at the waist. Dribble the ball through your legs, around one leg, back through your legs, and around the other. By keeping your head up not looking at the ball and increasing the speed of your dribble, you will become a better dribbler.
Finger Tip controlFor a beginning basketball player, control of the dribble can often be a problem. It is important to remember that dribbling with the fingertips is the key to control. To develop fingertip control, dribble with just one finger at a time, using only the fingertip of the finger doing the dribbling.
Keep Your Head UpWhen doing all drills involving dribbling, it is extremely important that you keep your head up. You must be able to see where you are going and where your teammates are so you can pass them the ball when they are open.
Protect the ballWhen dribbling against a defender, ALWAYS protect the ball with your body. You can do this by dribbling with your left hand when you are going left and your right hand when you are going right. This will force the defender to reach across your body to attempt a steal.
Use anglesOne of the most important techniques to bringing the ball up the floor is to use angles to your advantage. Rather than trying to put on some great move and go by someone, the novice point guard should concentrate on a low dribble, protecting the ball with their body and an arm bar, then advance the ball up the floor using 45 degree angles. When they feel pressure and the defense is in front of them, they should change directions and attack at another 45 degree angle.
Stationary Dribbles:stationary dribbles: Crouch down in defensive position and dribble the ball at a moderate height (about 2 feet off ground), then at a high height (shoulder level), and finally low (about 4 inches off the ground) - do with both hands. Change the speed and the "rhythm" of the dribble as you go.
30 second "free style"30 second "free style"-for 30 seconds practice a variety of your very best moves. Mix up your dribble moves(crossover, inside out, between the legs, behind the back, etc. Change the speed and the "rhythm" of the dribble, change the combination of the dribble moves.
ButterfliesButterflies: Low and in stance, take two dribbles right between your feet, then reach behind you and take two more dribbles in the same spot. Reach back in front and repeat as often and as fast as you can
Full Court Heads UpIn a full court dribble drill, the coach stands up court and when he shows his target hands, the dribbler must deliver a pass, then cut to the basket and receive a pass back from the coach. With a couple of assistants or managers, you can do this at various spots on the floor.
Heads UpThis is stationary dribble drill with your players on the baseline demonstrating a good form dribble. As a coach you have a basketball in your hands and toss it softly to various players and have them tap the ball back to you with their free hand.
Hesitation MoveIn this move, you try to get the defender off balance, and then you explode by the defender to score the basket or to penetrate and dish off to a teammate for the score. Always give equal practice time to both hands. Example: dribble with the right hand, hard and fast towards the basket, then almost come to a stop(still dribbling), and then explode hard to the hoop. Tip: you want to make your defender believe that you are going to stop to take the jumpshot, but then you drive by them instead.
Machine Gunmachine gun: Builds coordination and gives you a good feel for the ball. Dribble very low and very fast. Vary the angle at which you strike the ball.
Multiple ball dribblingPractice dribbling with more than one basketball at the same time. Try switching the balls by going behind the back and through the legs. When you get good with two balls move up to three. Try to keep all of them bouncing at all times. It isn`t easy. This will help you be more comfortable dribbling through traffic in a real game situation.
One-handed sideone-handed side "V": Also know as the "push-pull" dribble, dribble ball at a moderate height forward and back in a rocking motion. With the right hand, and a stance with your left foot in front and the right foot in back and your knees bent, dribble with the right hand at the side of your body,front to back and back to front(with only the right hand). Key: in order to dribble from the front to the back, you must place your hand on top and towards the front of the ball, and push the ball to the back. When you dribble from back to front, you must place your hand on the top and rear of the ball to push it to the front again. Make sure you give equal time to practice with your left hand.
Power dribbling - 10-5 repeat drillThis drill exercises power dribbling with one hand at a time. Choose which hand your would like to practice. Power dribble for 10 seconds, then soft dribble for 5 seconds. Repeat multiple times. This exercise teaches your arm muscles how to alternate between various dribbling speeds that occur during game play.
Power dribbling - Dribble between legs while walkingIn order to do this drill you will need a segment of floor, such as a basketball court floor, a street`s sidewalk, or a wide hallway that is deserted. Power dribble while walking up and down the walkway. Power dribble the ball between your legs to practice fancy dribbling skills. To enhance the drill, perform the drill at a quicker walking pace, maybe at a light jogging pace.
Power dribbling blindfoldedWrap a cloth around your head as a blindfold, or you could simply close your eyes...no peeking. Power dribble a ball for at least 60 seconds. This drill helps you enhance your tactile sense of the ball. You can enhance the drill by performing it in the center of a deserted basketball court, walking around while dribbling. To make the drill even more challenging, try power dribbling two balls, one in each hand, while being blindfolded and slowly walking around a deserted basketball court.
Power dribbling crossovers -Power dribble in your right hand, and then quickly bounce the ball to your left hand. Power dribble with your left hand for a few seconds before bouncing the ball back to your right hand.
Power dribbling sprintsThis drill requires you to power dribble for an extended period of time and run back and forth on the basketball court. Stand at one end of a basketball court. Dribble to the nearest foul line, and then return to the baseline. Dribble to the middle of the court, and then return to the baseline from which you started. Dribble to the farthest foul line, and then return to the baseline from which you started. Finally, dribble the entire length of the court, and return to the baseline from which you started. This entire continuous power dribbling exercise counts as one complete cycle of the drill. Repeat multiple times to practice your dribbling, speed, and direction-changing abilities.
Power dribbling-3 chair dribblingSet up 3 chairs or cones in a line, spacing each chair/cone 10 feet apart. Power dribble around the chairs/cones in different shapes, such as figure-eights, circles, or any shape. Use your imagination.
Power dribbling-Dirt dribblingThis drill actually requires you to leave the basketball court and find a patch of dirt. Do a Power dribble on the dirt for 1 or 2 minutes. You will need to power dribble the ball even harder than usual in order to get the ball to bounce on the dirt. This drill is an extremely good arm workout with power dribbling.
Power dribbling-Double ballPower dribble two balls, one in each hand. This will increase your arm strength for dribbling and enhance your dribbling control. Since you can`t look at both hands at the same time, this drill will also practice your ability to power dribble without looking at the ball.
Speed Dribble Heads UpPut 4 lines at each baseline and a coach at each FT line. Have one player speed dribble up the floor and around 1/2 court; the coach can then hold up fingers(1,2,3 or 4). The passer must throw the ball to the appropriate line and then the receiver speed dribbles to the other end and repeats the process. More advanced teams can have players going in both directions at once to increase reps.
Stutter step moveThis similar to the hesitation dribble. Always give both hands equal practice time. Example: dribble hard with the left hand, trying to go by your defender, then brake hard, quickly stutter your left, right, and left foot... then explode to the basket!
KENTUCKY DRIBBLING WORKOUTNOTES: Make each move from a position outside the 3-pt arc. Always start on the right side. Make the move to the basket. Use the moves with lay ups, power lay up and jump shots, rebound, dribble out and make the same move out to the other side. Repeat.When using with jump shots take 1 or 2 dribbles by the defender before shooting. Make the moves in this section at GAME speed. *** You can also do these moves at the top of the key, using right and left hand.
#1: Crossover Dribble up to defender about 3' away. Execute a QUICK hop stop, and crossover dribble low to the other hand. The dribble must be LOWER and CLOSER to your body than the other dribbles. If the ball is in your right hand when crossing over, your left foot should drop while your right foot goes with the ball across your body. By this time, you should be by the defender. Then crossover back to the right. The move is opposite with left hand.Dribble up to defender about 3' away. Execute a QUICK hop stop, and crossover dribble low to the other hand. The dribble must be LOWER and CLOSER to your body than the other dribbles. If the ball is in your right hand when crossing over, your left foot should drop while your right foot goes with the ball across your body. By this time, you should be by the defender. Then crossover back to the right. The move is opposite with left hand.
# 2: Inside OutWhen dribbling with the right hand, fake to left with left foot and fake the dribble to the left, then bring your hand on the INSIDE half of the ball, keep it in the same hand and explode to the basket. The move is opposite with left hand.
# 3: Stutter StepThe stutter step is made by dribbling up to the defender about 3' away and make the move. The move is made by dribbling up making sure not to allow the ball to get too high then making 4 QUICK choppy steps and then exploding past the defender. The move is opposite with left hand.
# 4: HesitationThe move is made about 3 ' away from the defender. Dribble up making sure not to allow the ball to get too high, stop, but keep the dribble alive. Your weight is on the left foot, rock back to the right foot and explode past the defender. Vice versa when using left hand.
#5: Stutter crossoverThis move is made by combining the stutter and crossover moves. Stutter first then Crossover.
# 6: Reverse Pivot (spin dribble)When making this move with the right hand, your left foot should be straight in front of the defender's right foot. Pivot on your left and rub against the defender's right shoulder and drive to the basket. The ball should stay in your right hand for one extra dribble. The move is opposite with left hand.
# 7: Between the legsWhen you start your dribble between the legs, the left foot should be in front. Execute a QUICK hop stop and dribble the ball from front to back between your legs. After the ball goes through the legs, the right foot drives by or around the defender. The move is opposite with left hand.
# 8: Behind the BackWhen you begin to dribble behind the back, if the ball is in your right hand, you should be stepping with your left foot around the defender. Opposite with left hand.
2 MINUTE  DRILL: FULL COURT DRIBBLINGPerform moves at full speed using alternate hands for each move . Practice right hand / left hand: stutter, cross-over, fake cross-over, through legs, behind back, spin-dribble, hesitation, and combination moves.
DRIBBLE X-OUT LAYUPSDribble with your right hand for a right hand lay-up; dribble out left handed to left elbow(corner of the key and the free throw line)and back in for a left hand lay-up and continue alternating hands. Do the drill for 1 minute. Dribble and shoot with alternating hands and go for SPEED, but still under control
Cutthroat-Play three-on-three four-on-four game called cutthroat which is hugely effective in teaching kids how to move.The rules are simple. 1) The game is best played with three or more teams of four (any leftover players can be rotated in at your discretion). To minimize confusion, each team should have its own practice jersey. 2) Every player on a team must touch the ball at least once before any shot can go up. 3) If a player catches the ball and fails to face the basket in triple threat position before dribbling or passing, it is a turnover. 4) If a player passes the ball, then fails to cut to the basket and fill to an open spot or go screen for a teammate, it's also a turnover 5) A player can dribble no more than three times -- either to open up a passing lane or to attack the basket. 6) Only the guy with the whistle in his mouth (the coach!) is allowed to officiate. Points are automatically and instantly deducted any time a player protests a call. 7) One point is awarded for each basket made, one point for each offensive rebound, and one point for each steal (unforced turnovers don't count!). At every change of possession (turnover and defensive rebound) and at every made basket, the ball is passed back to the coach. If there's been a change of possession, the offensive team *sprints* off the floor and the defensive team goes to offense. The third team, waiting on the baseline, *sprints* onto the court and matches up on defense. The coach encourages this quick change over by passing the ball to the offensive team almost as soon as he receives it. After a made basket, however, it is the defensive team that vacates the floor. The offense stays on as long as they continue to score, which they can only do by passing and cutting and staying in motion.
Bench Charts-Organization at game time is crucial during pressure situations. Have an assistant coach with a list of plays and the situations in which you want to use them. Schedule time to practice these plays periodically so the players are prepared when any special situation arises.
Playbooks-Playbooks are a tremendous amount of work, but the pay back CANNOT BE MEASURED! Your players will truly become students of this game and it will help you to realize your team's potential by optimizing your time. You are teaching your players an incredible life lesson ,and that is simply "ORGANIZATION IS CRITICAL TO SUCCESS.
Be demanding-Players will generally give you what you demand from them. Don't be afraid to push them beyond what they think they can give you. You (and they) will be surprised when you see that the results far outweigh what your team initially thought you were capable of.
Clinics-A good source of coaching information is clinics. You can generally listen to a number of coaching experts at one site for a reasonable rate. If you can come away with one idea that helps your program, the clinic has been well worth it.
Coach Within Your Personality-One of the most important pieces of advice that can be offered to a new coach is to coach within your personality. Don't try to coach like someone else or emulate someone else's style. Be yourself. Players can sense right away when you are insincere or not being yourself. You will go further if you will coach in a manner that you are comfortable with.
Coaching is teaching-Good coaches are good teachers, and good teachers follow certain patterns. For the most part, they are clear in what they teach, are adamant about what they want, and demand that they get it. Apply this to your coaching and you will be amazed at the results.
Developing a Philosophy-When developing your coaching philosophy, make sure you choose a style of play that suits your personality. For instance, if you are laid-back, it won't necessarily make sense to coach an aggressive style of play. However, keep in mind that there are many winning styles of play. So choose the one that you are most comfortable with.
Discipline the player, Praise the person-A VERY successful division one college coach uses a tactic that is very interesting. In practice, he does NOT call players by name when he is scolding/questioning them. Rather, he uses their jersey #. For example, "Come on 20, you need to set up that screen. Otherwise it's just an exchange," Or "32, that was a bad decision. Couldn't you see that she wasn't open?" The idea is that when he corrects them, he doesn't use their name. Therefore, it is not directed toward the person, it is directed toward the player. Off the court, and in situations where he is praising something that is worthy, he uses their name. He wants them to associate themselves only with positive reinforcement. Thus, you discipline the playerm but praise the person.
Efficiency Ratings-A good way to show your team how effective they are being on offense and defense is with efficiency ratings. For your offensive efficiency, take the number of points you score and divide by the number of possessions you had. You can count your possessions by adding the number of shots you took with your turnovers and number of times you went to the free throw line. Anything over .85 is a good offensive rating. Likewise, take the same numbers for your opponent. This tells you your defensive efficiency. Anything under .75 is good.
Have Confidence-If you are going to coach, you must have confidence in your own ability. You are unique. It is all right to borrow ideas from other, more experienced coaches, but don't just copy those ideas. Understand the philosophy behind them.
Keep Things Simple-There is an old rule in coaching-KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). A key to coaching success is to do a few simple things well. Repetition in practice will perfect those things that you want to do.
Lopsided Scores-A one sided game is not good for either team. The overmatched team could feel humiliated and the victor is not challenged. To make the game more challegeing, the better team could ask themselves some questions like: Did you play everybody? Did you continue to take advantage of a player or team by applying extended defensive pressure? Did you continue to run for layups off steals against a team that couldn't run back to protect their hoop. All of the above and more are coaches decisions. I've seen teams use games like these to give boys/girls quality playing time (more minutes than they usually get). I've seen teams use games like this to work on their perimeter shooting and refuse to shoot inside the lane. I've seen teams use games like these to work on passing the ball by taking the air out of the ball and never dribble. I've seen teams use games like these to work on their defensive sliding by staying between the ball and the basket WITH THEIR HANDS BEHIND THEIR BACKS allowing the opponent to pass and not trying to steal the ball. I've seen teams NEVER press an overmatched opponent BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ANYONE INVOLVED. Oftentimes, there is a game within a game. When it's over was it about dignity and respect or was it about win at all costs?
Praise and Instruct-Something that I learned real early in coaching that always stayed with me I read in an article from "Psycholgy Today" about John Wooden titled, "What a Coach Can Teach a Teacher". Nearly 90% of all communication(verbal and non-verbal)from Coach Wooden contained teaching information, and over 80% was positive. These #'s included techniques like scold/reinstruct and praise/reinstruct/hustle (Mary, you're a better player than that. Let's see the defense before we make that pass. C'mon now let's focus and get going!)or even scold/praise/reinstruct(as Wooden may have said it..."Goodness, gracious, sakes alive, what were you looking at!?!Mary, you're a better player than that. Let's see the defense before we make that pass.) You can find out about Coach Woodens Pyramid of Success at http://coachwooden.com I always felt that these methods let the players know that even if you are demanding(no sense in doing something if you aren't going to demand your best)and intense that they at least know your intention is to teach them and make them better.
Praise/Scold/Re-instruct-A good method of communicating to players when they exhibit negative behavior is to praise/scold/re-instruct. Tell a player how good they can be, then admonish them for a poor play, but then follow that with instruction on how they should perform or how to do it better.
Teaching is Coaching-Good coaches are good teachers, and good teachers do several things consistently. They are clear in what they are trying to get across to their students; they are demanding in what they want in return; and they are adamant about getting it. Apply these principles to your coaching and you will be amazed at the results.
Team Chemistry-When selecting your team, you obviously need to be concerned with talent, but also important is how those talented players are going to work together. You need to select players who will accept your philosophy and are willing to blend their talents with those of their teammates in order to win. A headstrong player who is only interested in his or her statistics can destroy a good team.
the Bottom Line-If you are: 1)knowledgeable and organized, 2)work as hard as you expect your players to, and 3) care about them as people your players will: 1)Listen and try to understand, 2)show the desire to play as well as they can, and 3) Play hard.
Time-Management-When starting out as a coach, one of the best areas that you can begin studying is time-management. There are only so many hours a day that you can put in, and coaching will demand a large number of them. Learn to budget your time and use it most efficiently.
Aggressiveness-As far as teaching aggressiveness, simply make as many drills in practice as you can competitive, with a winner and a loser. Then have the losers do a task, like a sprint or two, five pushups, or reward the winners by letting them get a drink first. Eventually the will to win starts to spread, and aggressiveness becomes a necessity.
Competitive Practices-As often as possible, make practices competitive. Games are played to be won and lost, so the more competition you can have in practice, the more used to competition your players will be.
Drill Time-When running drills, break your team into groups and spend no more than five minutes on a drill. You want to keep practices fast-paced and this will help. By breaking down into smaller groups, you keep everyone active and give them several repetitions in the exercise. By keeping the drill time short, you keep their interest.
GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR COURT TIME-If you are going to put in a new offensive play tomorrow, then at the end of practice tonight - distribute to your players a written copy to go right into their Playbook, and for them to know tomorrow. When tomorrow arrives have them walk through it.In a matter of just a couple of minutes, you are now working 3/4 speed and discussing KEY components of execution such as timing, floor spacing and the sequence of options.
Practice-Always take practice seriously because the way you practice is the way you are going to play. If you don't put much effort into practice, those habits will show on the court during the game. Practice hard and you will play hard in the games.
ECHO SYSTEMPlayers should communicate using the ECHO SYSTEM. The coaches tell one player the drill or play, he calls it out to the team, team echoes it.
Practice Length-Practices should rarely, if ever, last longer than two hours. Players have a difficult time maintaining focus beyond that time. You will end up accomplishing less by going longer.
Practice Plan-A good practice should be well organized and well run. One of the best ways to achieve this is throught the use of practice plans. Decide what you want to accomplish in your practice, how much time you will devote to each thing you want to do, then the drills you will use and how much time you will need to complete them.
Practice structure-Have an idea on how you want your basketball practices to flow. There should be a natural progression to what you do. Practices should start slow, for warm up purposes and gradually get more intense. Try developing a chart or checklist to make sure that you cover skills and strategies as often as you'd like. A sample of one can be found at: http://www.coachlokhoops.homestead.com/practiceplanning.html
Pre-Practice Walk Thrus-You might want to try doing your teaching of new plays during a pre-practice walk thru before the team is stretched and loosened up. Their minds will be more focused on learning. If they stand and listen too long after warming up, they will get tight and it might be hard to get them going again.
Simplify your scouting-One of the most important things to know about your opponent is the players individual habits. Try to find out if a player is a shooter, passer or a driver. If they are a shooter, do they like to shoot off the pass or the dribble? If they drive, do they go left or right? Do they drive to score or to draw the defense so they can pass to an open teammate. Know these individual tendencies and you will have a better chance to defend you opponent.
Agility Ladders - The Best All Around Agility Training AccessoriesAs with any training utility, the more uses you can get from a single tool, the more that tool is worth. Agility ladders give you so many uses in agility training that they are easily worth as much as any accessory. Agility ladders can help you train for speed, strength, power, and all around athletic control over your body. Use them for high-stepping drills to increase power and strength. Use them for change of direction exercises to increase speed and control. The versatility of the agility ladder is in a league of its own and should be a staple of any serious agility training program.Agility Training for SpeedThere are many ways to increase your speed through <a href="http://www.jumpusa.com/agility_training.html">agility training</a>. For the most effective workout, very your exercises between classic sprint training, and more advanced agility training drills and equipment. Let's cover classic training with windsprints, which have always worked to increase speed and agility. Start from one baseline and sprint to the closest freethrow line and back. The move on to the halfcourt line and back. Next is the far free throw line and back. And finally the opposite baseline and back. Make sure you sprint at all times and that when you reach each line, you bend down and touch the line with both hands. Performing this speed agility training exercise correctly will definitely help your game.
Benefits of Agility Training-Agility training is at the core of any athlete's endurance level. If you want to last longer without getting winded or jump higher before landing back on the ground,  is the key. Most athletes have their careers cut short because of injury or fatigue. Agility training will reduce your risk of injury and give you the extra wind you need to make it through a long season. Proper agility training will give you more flexibility and let your body take on the abuses that can come in any competitive sport. Take advantage of the advanced agility training accessories and drills that are out there and make the most of your game.
Choosing the Right Agility Equipment for You-Whether you are looking to leap higher, run faster, or simply last longer, the right agility equipment can make the difference. When choosing your agility equipment you should first determine what you are looking for. Do you want more balance? Are you looking for more 'spring in your step'? There are agility training equipment makers for every type of agility training. Until you determine your needs, however, you should not just jump into any equipment or regimen. Get the agility equipment that will help you accomplish your specific goals.
Effective Basketball Agility Training at Any Level-  is important in any sport. In basketball, agility training is of extreme importance because of the tempo of the game. No matter what your level of play, you must instill effective agility training in yourself and your teammates if you want to play at your best potential. When it comes to agility training, the oldest methods are still strong. The agility training that you can get from simple medicine ball exercises are as effective as they were in the 1950s. There are, however, new basketball agility training exercises and tools offered by many companies. These new agility tools take advantage of scientific study and advances to truly hone your agility training. What is most important is that you choose agility training that is comfortable for you.
Essentials to Agility Drills in your Agility Training-There are certain things that are essential to your agility drills and agility training. First, make sure that you are properly warmed up, stretched, and prepared for your drills. Flexibility is key and warming up before hard training is very important. Next, be sure that when you do your agility drills, you do them at full speed. Train with game-like conditions and you will be better prepared for your games. Most importantly, for agility training, keep moving! A strict set of agility drills should be done in sequence with as little pausing as necessary. Keep that heart rate up, and you will get the benefits of agility training you are looking for.
Strengthen Your Passes with the Right Agility EquipmentIf you are looking to strengthen your forearms and the muscles, agility equipment</a> is out there for you. There are many options for agility training with the goal of more accurate and stronger passing ability, but one particular drill will increase your strength more than any other. A 'wrist rolling' agility tool makes you focus on all of those important muscles we mentioned above. You simply hold your arms straight out in front of you and, well, roll. A stick or dowel is attached to a string, which is attached to a weight. By using only your forearms to roll the string and weight all the way up, your forearms are forced to do all of the work. Using this and other specific agility equipment and drills will quickly increase your strength in shooting, passing, and ball handling.
Condition with a ball-I prefer to do most of the conditioning with a ball, or by doing some activity that works on a basketball skill. We might do an intense full court dribble drill, offense vs. defense, a full court passing drill or some type of transition drill. One of my favorites is playing full court 3 on 3, no dribble. Watch how fatigued they get running, trying to get open, pivoting to protect the ball, and defending all of the above. Players focus on the activity and skill, rather than thinking that they are just "conditioning".
Dribble while you run-Everyone knows that running is an essential part of playing basketball and it helps you get in shape. Most people just jog or do sprints but why not dribble when running? This will help you get in shape and with your dribbling at the same time.
Finish on a positive note-if the last thing that players do at practice before they hit the locker room and go home is something that they do not enjoy (or even dislike!), that is what they will be talking about until the next practice comes around. A negative atmosphere may be brewing, without even knowing it. A much better method is to end practice on a positive note, and have everyone looking forward to getting back to work at the next practice.
Intense practices-During the season it is best to do a majority of your conditioning within the body of the practice. Practices should be intense and physical enough that they are actually more difficult than the games. It is a good idea to mix in some conditioning in between drills at various times throughout practice.
Ready-Set-Go!-The game of basketball requires running. If you can't run, you can't play. The most horrible loss you can have as a team is when you just get outlasted by the opposing team. You must get in shape for basketball, in which the game is full of sprints and stops; this is how you must train... lots of sprints and lines, resting in between. Remember, "no pain, no gain"!
Sets of lines-This common conditioner has many different names. The player starts on the baseline and sprints to the free throw line, touches the line then sprints back to the baseline. The player repeats this to half court, the opposite free throw line, then the opposite baseline.
Build Your Jumping-In order to better your jumping, you need to increase your leg strength and stamina. A great way to do this is by doing a consecutive jumping drill. Begin by jumping as high as you can off both feet. Your hands should be above your head and rotating to help you jump high. As soon as you land, go right back up. Repeat this twenty-five times. Next, jump twenty-five times off your right foot, then twenty-five times off your left. Keep your hands up and go up as quickly as you can after landing. Next, jump twenty-five times bringing your knees to your chest. You can now bring your arms down in order to maintain balance, but continue jumping as quickly as possible. Then jump twenty-five times trying to kick your heals into your rear end. Finally, perform twenty-five Jerry Wests. A Jerry West is a jump in which you bend forward at the waist extending your arms at forty-five degree angles. Try to touch your fingertips to your toes.
Plyometrics-To improve your jumping try plyometrics exercises. These exercises involve the athlete dropping (not jumping) to the ground from a raised platform or box, and then immediately jumping up. The exercise will be more effective the shorter the time the feet are in contact with the ground. The loading in this exercise is governed by the height of the drop which should be in the region of 30-80 cm. Drop jumping is a relatively high impact form of plyometric training and would normally be introduced after the athlete had become accustomed to lower impact alternatives, such as two-footed jumping on the spot.
Enhance Movement Efficiency-The ability to change direction quickly and move laterally or backwards with minimal loss of speed is contingent upon two factors: (1) an athlete's ability to send a message from brain to the body about how and when to react; and (2) how well an athlete can coordinate upper and lower extremities while maintaining balance and speed of movement. Incorporating agility drills that focus on coordination and reaction time will help in enhancing movement efficiency.
17's-A 17 is a very common conditioning practice . You start behind one of the sidelines. You run to the other sideline counting as 1 then you run back to count as 2. You do this until you reach 17. (Always ending on the opposite side from which you started). To be in very good basketball shape you should be able to do this in under 1 minute.
Ball Bounces-Hold the ball in front of you with your legs spread wide. Bounce the ball hard between your legs so that it will come up behind you. Quickly move your hands behind your back to catch the ball. The harder that you bounce the ball, the more quickly you will have to move your hands.
Ball Jumps-Stand next to a basketball with your feet together. Jump back and forth (sideways) over the ball as quickly as possible. Go for thirty seconds, counting the number of times that you return to the starting point. Try to better yourself every day.
Bench Jumping-Either face a bench that is about one and a half feet high or stand beside it. You can either jump over and back or sideways. Feet should be kept together. Go for thirty seconds and count the number of times that you return to the starting point. Attempt to increase the number every day.
Clap Hands Drill-Ball Behind the Knees-Hold the ball behind your knees. Release it, clap your hands in front of your knees, then return your hands behind your knees and catch the ball before it hits the ground.
Cobra Drill-When you are practicing with a partner, you can work on your hand quickness with this drill. Both of you stand inside the jump circle in a defensive stance. Try to hit the inside of each other's knees while remaining inside the circle. Whoever touches the inside of the other's knees an agreed to number of times is the winner.
Four Squares-Find a place on the floor where two line intersect. These create four areas that are numbered one through four. Jump 1-2-3-4, then 4-3-2-1. Count the number of times you return to square #1 in thirty seconds. Try to better yourself every day.
Front-Back Catch-Pass the ball from in front of your body to behind it between your legs. Move your hands quickly to behind your body to catch the ball before it hits the ground. Once you have caught it, pass it back to the front of your body through your legs and catch it again.
Hand Claps-Start holding a basketball. Toss it up, clap your hands twice, then catch the ball. Repeat, clapping twice. Continue to increase the number of times that you clap your hands. See how many times you can clap your hands and still catch the ball.
Jump Rope-One of the most important pieces of equipment a basketball player can possess is a jump rope. Daily use of a jump rope will develop stamina, leg strength, agilty and coordination, timing, quickness, and hand-eye coordination. All of these are extremely important to becoming a good ball player.
Lane Shuffle-The lane shuffle is a progressive drill that is outstanding for developing body control and coordination. You shuffle across the foul lane from one line to the other, first touching the line with your outside hand, the second time touching the line with the inside hand forcing a crossover step, then, the third time, touching the line with both hands. The drill can be run for a set time period with players counting the number of times they touch the lines.
Line JumpsStand beside any line on the floor. With your feet together, jump forward and backwards over the line, then sideways back and forth (two separate exercises). Repeat for thirty seconds, counting the number of times that you return to the starting point. Try to better yourself every day.
Mimic Basketball SkillsA basketball player's quickness and agility program would include drills which emphasize lateral movement, change of direction, and sudden starts and stops (with or without ball) because these movement patterns are specific to the sport of basketball. By implementing these drills, inevitably, a basketball player's skill acquisition is enhanced.
Reduce Ground Time ContactTo develop quicker movements for various drills, a basketball player should strive to reduce the amount of time spent on the ground when performing drills. Whether a player is fresh or fatigued while performing a drill, the goal should be to move the feet quickly and forcefully while constantly spending the least amount of time possible on the ground.
Side CatchPlace the ball between your legs with one hand holding it in front of your body and the other behind. Let the ball go and switch the position of your hands, front to back and back to front, and catch the ball before it hits the ground.
Wall PassingA good way to increase both hand quickness and hand-eye coordination is with wall passes. Stand in front of a wall and pass the ball hard against the wall, catching it upon its return. As you improve your hand coordination, decrease the distance you stand from the wall so that the ball will come back more quickly and you have to react more quickly.
Advantages of strength trainingParticipating in strength training and conditioning for basketball will help you be the best player possible, and could give you that extra edge to win a championship. Attaining strength and power through weight training will not only help your body resist injury (very important during the long season), but also allows you to gain the stamina necessary for basketball's physical play.
Catching a Medicine BallPrior to a catch, make sure that you: keep your arms extended, keep your hands together, keep eyes on the ball, reach out to meet the ball prior to making contact, and do not attempt to catch balls thrown wildly.
Keep it safeAlways wear cross-trainers or basketball shoes when conditioning, as this supports your ankles during cutting drills. If you're participating in jumping drills (called plyometrics), then always perform them on grass or thick exercise pads and mats. Weight training exercises should be performed using slow and controlled movements. Try to use mostly machines to ensure maximum safety.
Keep it simpleUse basic drills to improve your basketball performance. Running stairs, suicide runs, and interval training are time-tested and great ways to get in "basketball shape". In fact, playing and practicing basketball is the BEST way to get in "game shape". If you participating in weight training to develop your strength, use simple exercises like lunges, step-ups, push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups.
Medicine Ball SafetyTo ensure personal safety and good technique while doing medicine ball exercises the following points should be remembered: Complete throws with full extension of the arms. On standing exercises, plant your feet before beginning to throw the ball. Always use the full joint range in the correct sequence in carrying out each exercise. Maintain technique - do not sacrifice control for distance. Inexperienced athletes should not take the ball too far back behind the head when carrying out overhead throws. When picking up a ball, ensure the knees are bent and the back is kept straight. When carrying out exercises lying on your back, ensure the lower back always remains in contact with the surface.
Train effectivelyTo get the results you want, you must train HARD! You must make a commitment to never miss training sessions. Always apply your maximum effort to each drill. Consistency and effort are in your control and are the keys to reaching your performance potential.
When to startStart only after a thourough check up from their Doctor...my advice is prior to high school just use resistance against own weight...(push ups, pull ups, sit ups) and tons of stretching( REAL IMPORTANT TO BE FLEXIBLE)...BODY MASS WILL INCREASE WITH AGE..DON'T RUSH IT... Secondly, when they start lifting weights...always exercise both sets of muscles e.g. biceps AND triceps...push/pull group...hamstrings and Quads...etc... go slow...in the case of Football...neck rolls combined with light weights will help the neck But GO SLOW..and use full extension...contrary to popular opinion...not how heavy you lift...better to have more reps ( with full extension) with Light weights rather than a few lifts of Heavy weights...i.e. let the body develop as a result of GOOD NUTRITION rather than weights and the other stuff at an early age...good luck!
Baseline to Sideline - Quick Guide to Basketball Court LinesThere are so many 'lines' on a basketball court, it can be tough to differentiate. Here is a quick guide to the lines that make up every basketball court. First, there is the sideline. This is where you can find the team benches and usually the scorer's table. Next, there are the baselines. The basketball court baseline is beneath the backboard and is sometimes called the "low post" when the player is close to the basket. The halfcourt line is just as it sounds, right in the middle of the court. On offense, the team must advance the ball past the half court line in a certain time or turn the ball over to the other team. Perhaps the most important basketball court line is the free throw line. More than any other line, games are won and lost at the free throw line.
A Great Drill to Help You Jump HigherIf you want to jump higher, here is a great drill for you. All you need is a medicine ball or overweighted basketball. Hold the ball against your chest as if you were curling with freeweights. Try to touch your knuckles to your chin when holding the ball. Crouch down low like you were doing a leap frog. In a fixed position, begin bouncing at the knees to propel yourself upwards. Bounce with more force each time until you are coming off of the ground as high as you can. After many reps, bring the ball over your head and repeat the reps. Doing this exercise will not only increase your jump, but will provide you with a great warm-up for any game
Advantages of Increasing Your Vertical JumpRecent basketball stars have made it abundantly clear that increasing your vertical jump</a> can give you an edge on your opponents. How many times a night do we see highlights of a player who was able to convert an assist because they had just an extra second of time before landing to pass the ball? You can all but count on it every game. From Michael to Lebron, the game now requires you to be able to float as long as possible. Defense has adjusted to these changes as well which means you definitely need that extra time. Get the training equipment that can help you increase your vertical and do the drills that come with them.. You will be leaping higher in no time.
Basketball Before the Age of Jump-Many young basketball fans wouldn't even know that before the late 1970's there was no "slam dunk". There were no "alley oop's". There were certainly no slam dunk contests. Julius Erving changed how <a href="http://jumpusa.com">airborne jumping</a> impacted the game of basketball when he showed the world what jumping really was. Before then, basketball was a game of set offenses and passing, passing, passing. Only a few truly dominant players like Wilt Chamberlain or Kareem Abdul Jabbar played "above the rim" until this time. Since then, players continue to change the game by astonishing crowds with jumps that seem to always get higher. To keep up with players today, get out the jump shoes and train away.
Flexibility - The Key to Jumping HigherOften overlooked as a factor in leaping ability is a player's flexibility. Jumping high is based on the elasticity of your muscles and tendons. Without extreme flexibility, you will never jump as high as you could with proper training. Be sure that before you practice you employ a series of stretching drills to help with your flexibility. Basic hamstring and quadricep stretches can be done in just a few minutes either standing or seated on the floor. There are also many basketball training accessories now available to provide you with a stringent warm-up routine for flexibility. Take advantage of these to increase your flexibility and increase your jump.
Increase Your Game by Increasing Your JumpMany basketball players wonder how they can move their game to the next level. Today, more than ever, basketball is a game played 'above the rim'. This means that the most important feet movement is how high they can propel you in the air. If you want to increase your game, increase your jump. Point guards will look to you more if they think you can get to the ball. Increasing your jump will also make you quicker all-around, which will give you the edge when chasing a loose ball down the court. Take advantage of the tools that have been developed just to help increase your jump and you will be happier with your game
Jump Shoes - Increase Your Vertical Jump With EaseBy now, you have surely seen those shoes that look like high-heels tuned inside out. Jump Shoes have been in the marketplace for over a decade now and their effectiveness has been proven over and over again. Many people see these shoes and do not understand their benefit. It is simple, these shoes raise your heels off of the ground as you walk, forcing you to use your calves and quadriceps in all of your motion. These are the muscles that aid in you jumping higher, and if you wear the jump shoes for just 10 minutes of a workout, you won't have any more doubts about their effectiveness. When it comes to accessories that can help you jump higher, there are none more proven that these unique pieces of footwear.
Methods to Jump HigherJumping has become as much what basketball is about as dribbling is. Everyone wants to increase their vertical leap so they can make airborne moves to the hoop. If you really want to increase your vertical jump, try these tips. Have you thought about the jump shoes? I know, you never see people playing in these, but that is because you are not supposed to. These shoes with the 'high-toe' as opposed to 'high heel' are made for training and doing specific drills. These drills are the fastest way to build your calves, quads, and hamstrings. These are the muscles that will make you jump higher, fast. If you want to jump high and are willing to use the training, the jump shoes are the way to go for the results you are looking for.
Tricking Your Muscles to Make You Jump HigherOnly two things keep us grounded on the earth; resistance from gravity and from our own muscles. There is not much we can do about gravity, but your muscles do not need to know that. New training accessories have been developed that can help you in your battle against gravity and trick your muscles into helping you <a href="http://jumpusa.com">jump higher</a>. Among the most reliable of of these new tools is a weighted belt. These have been around for a while, but the new incarnations of this classic utility are made for more comfort and effectiveness. By weighing yourself down as you practice, your muscles think you have more weight to propel on your body. When you are done using the belt, your body will remember that extra weight and you will move quicker and jump higher as a result.
Build Your JumpingIn order to better your jumping, you need to increase your leg strength and stamina. A great way to do this is by doing a consecutive jumping drill. Begin by jumping as high as you can off both feet. Your hands should be above your head and rotating to help you jump high. As soon as you land, go right back up. Repeat this twenty-five times. Next, jump twenty-five times off your right foot, then twenty-five times off your left. Keep your hands up and go up as quickly as you can after landing. Next, jump twenty-five times bringing your knees to your chest. You can now bring your arms down in order to maintain balance, but continue jumping as quickly as possible. Then jump twenty-five times trying to kick your heals into your rear end. Finally, perform twenty-five Jerry Wests. A Jerry West is a jump in which you bend forward at the waist extending your arms at forty-five degree angles. Try to touch your fingertips to your toes.
Don't over do itPlatform shoes keep you off your heels, allowing a wider range of movement for your calf. Each jump is therefore more effective and can help you reach new heights. Many training programs will tell you to jump every day, hundreds or even thousands of times. This causes wear and tear on your body, especially your knees and back. Jumping fewer times with more effectiveness is the way to go, which is why platform shoes have been used for decades with great success. Because of this, our training program recommends only one to three workouts a week, depending on the season of your sport!
Jump SolesThe new frontal platform shoes (Jump Soles) have been shown to dramatically improve the efficiency of plyometric exercises. Training in frontal platform shoes is increasingly becoming the method of choice for serious sprinters and jumpers. No other method develops as quickly, the specific muscle groups and neural connections essential for running speed and jumping height.
PlyometricsNew advances in science make it possible to run faster and jump higher than ever before. Plyometrics is a form of exercise which links strength with speed of movement. There are two phases of muscle contraction during the running or jumping motion. Muscles go through a stretch phase, and then a contraction phase. Plyometric exercises are designed to shorten the cycle time between the two phases. A rapid cycle time allows maximum energy transfer between stretch and contraction phases.
Ball/Man LineWhen you are guarding a player without the ball in man to man defense, it is important to be aware of the "ball/man line