Basketball Skills                                              

Improve Vertical / Jump Higher!


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How to Improve at Basketball

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Need help being a good basketball player? Do you want to be like your teammates? Think you can't be good because you're not tall or fast? Well here are a few steps and tips to impress even your tallest friends!

Steps

1. Learn all the game's rules! You can ask just about any woman or man, but also, check websites, ask coaches, etc. to get the truth behind the game. Knowing the historical rules also helps too.
2. Understand that basketball is both a physical and mental sport. They are both extremely important. If you lack in one area, focus on trying to improve in that area without forgetting the other.
3. Get yourself in the best physical shape possible. Lesser players can beat the greatest talent if they can outrun and outlast their opponent. Here are some exercises to help you out:
   • Dribble like a madman. If you ever find yourself having to concentrate or focus on your dribbling, then you're not good enough. You should be able to 'feel' where the ball is at all times, have perfect control over it, and be able to do anything you can. Do this by spending tons of time dribbling the basketball. Try dribbling up and down the court or wherever you're practicing. Push yourself to dribble faster, lower, harder, and even more out of control. You'll improve your mobility on the court and your ability to play with the best of them.
   • Push-ups. Lots of push-ups. Fingertip push-ups. You will be amazed at how much better you can palm the ball if you have strong fingers. Even if you think you don't have large enough hands to palm the ball, it can be done if you have stronger fingers.
   • Core. Work on your core strength, sit-ups, leg lifts, plank, lower back extensions etc. If you have a strong core you will be able to take a hit and still finish strong at the rim.
   • Jump rope. Seems like a sissy activity, but it works! Jump rope as fast, long, and hard as you can. The better you can do this, the faster footwork you can have on the court.
   • Shoot free-throws until you can do it in your sleep. There is no reason you should miss any shot that is undefended! Practice shooting when you're cold and when you're totally winded. After running lines and being so tired you can't see straight, that's the perfect time to shoot free-throws.
   • Jumping. Increase your vertical leap. If you're fast, and agile, and can jump, you can get rebounds even over a taller player. Most super tall guys don't put all their effort into rebounds since they don't have to. You can beat them if you work at it.
   • Shooting. Practice your form. Take a look at the best shooters in the game and model their actions. Hold your right hand on the back of the ball, while the left is on the side guiding it. Practice lying down and shooting your basketball straight into the air, so it comes back down onto your hand. You can do this for hours, while listening to music, or just not sleeping. The ball should feel like part of your arm, extending into the hoop.
   • Don't let the ball touch your palm. Hold the ball with your fingertips, especially when dribbling.
4. Use BEEF C when shooting:
   • B=Balance. Make sure you are balanced before you shoot.
   • E=Eyes. Keep your eyes on the basket while you shoot.
   • E=Elbow. Keep your elbow in towards your body when you shoot.
   • F=Follow Through. Make sure you follow through with your shot; your shooting hand should look like you are about to reach into a cookie jar.
   • C=Concentration. This is the most important part of shooting. Focus only where the ball is going to go, not who's surrounding you or if you should pass instead.
5. Also, to shoot correctly, make sure you use your legs for power. Line your hands up with the black lines on the ball. Use the pads of your fingers and hold the ball in the center with your writing hand only. Make sure you can see light through all of your fingers. Next, place your other hand on the side of the ball. Then shoot using B.E.E.F. but make sure most of the force is coming from your writing hand!
6. Never play hungry; of course eat something but eat something that will give you energy, like a fruit or something packed full of carbs, not sugar.
7. Don't lose your confidence. If your a shooter, shoot!
8. Always be a team player

Tips

• Never give up! If you do not give up I promise you will get better!
• Don't be afraid to ask for help! Everyone needs help at one time or another!
• If you don't feel you get the ball enough on offense step up in defense. Steal the ball, get a rebound and dribble up the court without letting someone else.
• Always get motivated(pumped up) for a game. Listen to some music that will pump you up, then play it in your head as you play.
• Some drills to help you get better:
  • Superman Drill -- If you have a court this works better, if not you'll have to guesstimate the distances. On a court, start on one baseline (underneath a basket) and run to the first perpendicular line (the nearest free throw line), drop and do 5 pushups, then stand and run back to the original baseline, then run to the next perpendicular line (the 3/4 court line), drop and do 10 push ups and continue on that same idea for every line on the court, back and forth, until you reach the first line again. Again, it is best to shoot at least 10 free throws after the drill while you are tired.
  • "Kill Drill": this is a full court, down and back timed drill. If you're really out of shape just start with maybe 4-6 "down and backs" in 1 minute 8 seconds (starting at 1 baseline running to the other and returning to the original). Sounds like a sufficient amount of time until you run the 160 feet. After you build up some stamina, try 13 down and backs in 68 seconds. Again, shoot at least 10 free throws while fatigued.
  • Have a buddy grab a basketball, starting on a corner of one baseline and with you guarding him (if you feel comfortable, keep your hands behind your back) have him dribble diagonally down the court with you forcing him to change directions as he dribbles down the court. You'll need to learn how to "slide step" down the court to stay ahead and direct the person with the ball.
  • Run two way wind sprints. (40-60 yards "Back and Forth")
• Immediately after running or doing any drills, shoot free throws. This will help you to be able to shoot better after a few times up and down the court.
• Juggling can improve your Ambidexterity, Hand-Eye Coordination, Depth Perception, Peripheral Vision, Neuromuscular Balance, Quickness Under Control, and Concentration for such activities as Basketball Free throw shooting.
• If you want to play basketball well you should train your vertical jump.
• ALWAYS stretch after playing.
• Try doing stretches such as the splits
• Try getting into the best shape as possible. This will allow you to play at your full potential.
• One of the most important aspects of basketball is ball control, learn how to do tricks, and move the ball where you want to. Be creative, don't be afraid to shoot the 3-pointer. Try to control the ball with both hands, it's easy.
• Play as much basketball as you can, even if it's on your driveway with a few friends, the more you play the more experienced you'll be, the more experienced you are, the smarter decisions you'll make on the court.
• Practice your dribbling constantly. The key to a good player is one that can dribble extremely well, and not turn it over.

Warnings

• Don't trash talk. Offending someone with your words is not necessary on the court. Just blow by them with your quick skills you've learned, and your actions will speak much louder than your words.
• If you do talk trash, get inside their head, don't let them get inside yours.
• Don't try to use skills that you haven't learned. (practice with or without your team to better your game)
• After finding your shot, weightlifting can alter how you shoot without you knowing it. After weight training, shoot 20 free throws
• Do not try to block every shot. This will get you into early foul trouble, or an easy lay-up if he/she pump fakes.
• Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Basketball is a team effort so no game should ride on one person's shoulders.
• Don't overdo it. You can't drastically improve overnight, but you can definitely make a big change as a long-term goal. Know when to stop yourself when you feel like you're doing too much at once.
• Listen to your coach. If you think things can only be done "your way" then it will be harder to improve. So listen to your coach and learn from him/her. Most coaches have had much experience and are great to learn from.
• Basketball is a mental game. It is also a game of adjustment, so change your game according to the situation.
• Don't shoot 3-pointers every time you get the ball or the defense will pressure you and you will miss the shot.

Sources and Citations

• http://www.athleticadvantage-online.com
• http://hoopzcoach.com
• http://youth-basketball-tips.com
• http://www.jumpusa.com/juggling.html
• JumpUSA Jumpsoles

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Improve at Basketball. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Effective Ball Handling Program!

How to Dribble a Basketball

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Leaning how to dribble in basketball is a skill that is crucial. If you don't have it then don't plan on making the basketball team if their are tryouts. Follow this guide on how to dribble and become a good ball handler.

Steps

1. Practice dribbling during the off season. No matter what your skill level, try out for a team. Dribbling is a crucial skill. Practice ball handling as much as possible because dribbling is fundamental. Workout early and late; practice skills during the week and on weekends
2. Handling the ball while stationary: it is legal to change hands by pressing, or clapping, the ball with one hand or the other while it rests on either hand, and then to release either hand off the ball is legal as it counts as maintaining a continuous touch/contact.
3. Dribbling begins by pushing the ball toward the floor, or throwing or tapping the ball in the air with the fingers to bounce on the floor one or more times while controlling the ball--making no more than one step for each bounce except when picking up the dribble and taking a couple of steps in the approach to the basket to attempt a field goal.
4. Get into good basketball condition by running up and down the floor while dribbling as fast as you can to develop stamina and speed.
5. Stop because the dribble ends, you must keep one foot set as the pivot foot, be in control of the ball and stopped when you:
   1. touch the ball simultaneously with both hands;
   2. permit the ball to come to rest in one or both hands;
   3. touch (contact) the ball more than once before it touches the floor again.
6. Use only one hand at a time to dribble and once you have stopped dribbling you may touch the ball with both hands, but then you must pass or shoot before you can get the ball back and dribble again.
7. Gain control of the ball by spreading your fingers over it's top.
8. Begin the dribble by pushing the ball firmly to the floor. ~ Use your hand and wrist to control the height and speed of the bounce.
9. Keep your hand on top of the ball so that it rebounds accurately, and you keep the bounce height to about waist level.
10. Try to keep the ball from hitting the palm of your hand. Feel the ball with your fingers (not slapping it with your palm) and let your wrists do the work.
11. Move forward on the balls of your feet and bend your knees to maintain your balance!
12. Always look around the floor and be aware of the exact positions of your teammates and all defenders. ~Never watch your hands or the dribbling ball. Use your peripheral vision without looking. ~ If you can't see all the opposition when you are dribbling, then are they behind you? They may be sneaking up on you--trying to trap you and steal the ball, or stop your dribble and force you to pass. ~You will want to have your teammates watch for the ball while you are dribbling. This is radically important for their being ready to receive a pass from you -- and also when they are watching the dribbler then they can indicate to you what is coming from behind you by the motions of their eyes, head and or by a giving you a code word or handwave.
13. Maintain your dribble: Practice being sure to learn proper form (keep heads up!)~ Adapt to the pace (speed) so that as you go faster and are taking longer strides, the ball rises and you can be in position to practice passing or bounce passing on the fly without letting up or skidding to a halt.~ Get everyone to watch the ball and be ready to receive--or to draw the defenders and make a path for you to the basket.
14. Dribble by touch, by feel, sound and rhythm! and do not stop your dribble. Practice correct form and techniques to learn not to double dribble, or carry the ball.
15. If you stop then you must shoot--hopefully you spotted up for a play, running a set play, or got to you sweet spot--or you start passing it around, or maybe pop it back out for "inside out" plays.

~ Draw them in and then you have freed up an outside area for your pass and the outside shot, or fake popping it out, get clear, and then you can take your shot...

1. • If you are in a set play: then you all develop the formation for that play, and pass, or pass to your teammate who sends it right back to you. Now you dribble again and maybe pass on the fly; keep the teamwork (chain reaction) by passing it around to a more open shooter.

Crossover

1. Practice to learn the crossover where you approach the defender that will go one way, but then go the other way.
2. Fake towards your ballhand which may pull the defender to commit momentum in that direction, and then bounce the ball to the other hand as you quickly lunge opposite the direction the defender committed. When you are good at this, try other moves.

Get Agility and Skill Practice

1. Practice with a friend or two.
2. Set up an obstacle course using barrels (garbage cans) in your driveway, or use imaginary opponents in shadow dribbling (like shadow boxing) with an imaginary opponent.
3. Work-out at a park, pavilion, on a patio, or other such places like on school grounds or
4. Dribble around a telephone pole to represent an opponent, etc. in a parking lot with your back to it or facing it, or keep it to your off side, etc.
5. Start easy; build confidence, and then make it more challenging by making a tighter pattern (place objects like trashcans farther apart at first and then closer together later).
6. Go backward and forward in patterns (of you footpath) to get more confidence for when you need to change directions. Dribble in special ways and different patterns (not just going in straight lines):
   • With one or two basketballs.
     • Do figure O's (making circular) patterns of your path in either direction and other patterns around two objects like barrells, trashcans that represent opposing players to avoid and dribble around.
       • Keep the "opponent" on your offside (dribble with the hand that is farther away from the opponent).
     • Do figure 8's (crossing) patterns in each direction around two objects.
   • Do clover leaf (looping) patterns in each direction and other patterns around three or four objects.
7. If you have dribbling with one ball to a high skill level, dribble two basketballs at once. Do the figure 8's and other patterns with the balls.
8. Change directions several times, left and right, backward and forward -- every few seconds.

Dribbling fouls

1. Traveling is when you "miss a dribble" for some reason while moving which is like:
   • taking an extra step, skip, hop, or shuffling the feet out of rhythm with the dribbling of the ball and "carrying the ball";
   • when stationary if you move or change the pivot foot (set foot).
2. Double dribble is several possible illegal acts described below including:wikipedia:Double_dribble
   • while stationary:
     1. passing the ball by air from one hand to the other;
   • while either moving or stationary:
     1. striking the ball with a closed fist;
     2. dribbling with both hands simultaneously;
     3. once the ball comes to rest in one or both hands then to start again to bounce the ball or dribble (It's called continuing after stopping, or restarting the dribble, but you can't do that legally...).

Tips

• Keep your body over the ball to shield the ball from your opponents.
• To help keep possession of the ball, dribble with the hand farthest away from your opponents.

Improve balance, Maintain possession

• Use different postures. Have fun--but, serious fun, so dribble:
  • while alternately squatting and rising--not deep squats (those could hurt your knees, etc.) while going forward or backward:
    • Boing, Poing, Think Pogo, ... like an eccentric pattern.
  • while duck walking--not in a deep squat (those could hurt your knees, etc.), forward or backward.
  • while sitting on either hip, and change sides, and
• Practice right. Don't be a hot dog, and dribble while sprawling across the floor??? Oh, sure!--("Hey, if you haven't seen the Harlem Globetrotters--see them! They dribble while lying down, falling, sprawling, rolling, spinning, between their legs, between the opponents legs, behind the back...)--but that is only for after you become a hooping expert.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Dribble a Basketball. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Quickness Training / Run Faster!

How to Start a Basketball League

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
This article will explain how to start a basketball league in your community or neighborhood.

Steps

1. Decide exactly what you want to do. Do you want it to be streetball? Or are you going to be in need of a gym?
2. Find a place to play. You should try and contact your county or city and ask them if you could use the local gym at your nearest schools. Usually they will allow it.
3. Decide if you are going to have 1 division, or several. For example 7-8 year olds, 9-10 year olds, 11-12 year olds, ect.
4. Look for some volunteers who are also interested in what you are doing. Try and get a minimum of 10. This will be your board.
5. You then are going to need to hold meetings and discuss what you are going to have to do. You do need insurance, so you need to vote on getting this done.
6. Obtain registration forms. Hold signups at a gym.
7. Create a website! You can go to eteamz.com and get a website at a very low cost that specializes in basketball websites or you can go to hometeamsonline.com. Create a free league at PlayerMania.com, it also allows your players to network.
8. Look for sponsors. Usually some of the parents of the kids have a business or something. Usually a local McDonalds or something will sponsor.
9. Hold a draft. Draft all of the kids onto a team. Hold a special date to do this. Make it fair, though.
10. Create a schedule. Usually schedule a minimum of 10 games in the season (such as once per Sunday and one during the week. Then you can schedule a tournament.
11. Look for a photographer. They will take the pictures of all of the teams. Parents will love this.
12. Look for some volunteers for referees. Or you can hire some. This will make the game more exciting.
13. Sell tickets, or free admission. Congratulations, you now have a basketball league!

Tips

• This will require money, so you need a lot of donations!
• Make sure you are doing this legally. Contact your county about this.
• Keep your league organized. An un-organized league will NOT attract new registrations.
• Be aware that you need to print jerseys for the kids.

Warnings

• Do not do anything that will get you in trouble. Check your state's laws.

Things You'll Need

• Basketballs (of course)
• A basketball gym
• A board directory (board members)
• Volunteers
• Money (some start up cost)

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Start a Basketball League. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Basketball Drills / Dominate other Teams!




Eliminate Physical Pain and Prevent Injuries!

How to Win Your NCAA Basketball Tournament Pool

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Winning the NCAA Tournament Pool at your office can bring you praise, adulation, even a promotion. While filling out the bracket rewards skill, it's often surprising that the winner is someone who knows little about college basketball. Follow these steps to improve your chances at embarrassing the know-it-all experts at your office with a surprise victory!

Steps

1. Understand the rules in your pool thoroughly. Some pools offer a big premium for picking upsets, other a small one. Don't take a big risk in the first round if there's not a commensurate reward.
2. Be conservative about picking first-round upsets. While gloriously satisfying when they work, they often cause you to eliminate a team that in all probability will go several rounds. Save your upsets for the second or third rounds.
3. Winners generally pick a lot of favorites and a few upsets, rather than the reverse.
4. Research the true odds. It's easy to go off the NCAA seeds as a proxy for favorites, but the truth is that gamblers often think a 10 seed is actually favored over a 7 seed. Always listen to the gamblers!

Tips

• Consider entering more than once. The goal of the office pool is not to make the money, but to win, and get the your boss' respect. Two entries double your chances, and when you win no one will think "well, he did enter twice." Ten or more entries might seem a bit desperate.
• When you win, consider using the money to take everyone out for beers, or some other way to show you are smart enough to be an individual achiever but generous enough to be part of a team.

Sources and Citations

• Betfair.com: A good source of betting odds
• eHow.com: How to Set Up an NCAA Tournament Pool

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Win Your NCAA Basketball Tournament Pool. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Mind Power Mental Game Coaching!




Anxiety Panic Attack / Coaching!

How to Plan a Successful Basketball Practice

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
The 8 Coaching Tips below are designed to help coaches plan their practices more effectively. These eight tips are very simple and straightforward - yet they can have a tremendous impact on how well a coach plans their practice. These tips should be followed and implemented by all basketball coaches - regardless of their experience or level of competition. By following these 8 basketball coaching tips, coaches are setting themselves and their players up for success, during practices and games!

Steps

1. Coaches should always plan their practices ahead of time. It is best to have a written practice schedule for the entire season. This makes it easier for the coach to establish and stick to their game plan. At the very least, coaches should have their entire week planned out in advance.
2. Coaches should use the drills they are most familiar and comfortable with. They should be able to demonstrate these drills as well.
3. When running drills, players should always go at "game speed". They should also get as many repetitions as possible on each drill. By doing these two things, players will become more comfortable with the drills and skills being practiced. This translates into being able to perform them instinctively during game situations.
4. Coaches should only add new drills when the players have mastered the old ones. They should keep it simple and focus on the skills being taught. Players don't need to be overwhelmed with too many drills, this tends to confuse them.
5. Coaches should always teach and stress the importance of teamwork. The players must understand that the team comes before the individual. This is critical to the team's success! Understanding this one concept alone will help players become more well-rounded at every aspect of their game.
6. Coaches should discuss the team rules, regulations and policies with the players. Players should always know what is expected of them, and also what is unacceptable behavior or conduct. When a coach is upfront about the rules and consequences for breaking them, players are more likely to respect them.
7. Coaches should always be enthusiastic on and off the court. Players usually feed off of their coach's attitude and personality. If a coach is constantly enthusiastic about the game, this will have a tremendous impact on the players%u2019 attitude and outlook as well.
8. Coaches must always remember that the players they are coaching are far more important than the game they are coaching. Coaches should put the best interest of their players before everything else. They must remember that this is just a game! Make it fun for the kids.

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Plan a Successful Basketball Practice. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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