By Tony Fryer,
Summer is over. Now what?
Preseason conditioning is about to begin and the first day of practice is right around the corner! Here are three simple things we do with pro players like Raja Bell and Joe Johnson who have trained at 1on1 Basketball Academy that will get you get ready for fall preseason conditioning and the first day of basketball practice.
Prepare to Prepare
Build an aerobic endurance base by jogging slowly for as long as you can without stopping. Adding 2 minutes a day until you are going 60 minutes is ideal. Jogging on a soft surface like a running track, turf field or dirt is best.
Get stronger by holding actual basketball positions. Get into proper shooting, defensive and rebounding positioning and then get even lower. Hold the position for 20 seconds, or as long as you can. You only need to do 10 reps, but add 10 seconds every day. Using a basketball for shooting and rebounding helps make this even more beneficial.
Become more flexible by adding a long and relaxing session of stretching AFTER training. This should always be how you finish your workout session. Try some of the yoga poses that many NBA players are now using.
Turn Weakness Into Strength
Be honest: what's your biggest weakness? Have you improved since last season by playing in tournaments and summer leagues? In my opinion, no player has ever become a better left-handed dribbler or shooter from just playing the summer tournament circuit.
You must do skill-set training in addition to playing games. This is your last chance to put in the time to get ready to show your coach how much you have improved. When 1on1 Basketball Academy coaches provide off-season training to college or pro players, they don't just practice what they are good at doing, they work to add another dimension to their game. If you are a good spot-up shooter, then practice attacking the basket. If you can drive by defenders, add a mid-range pull-up jumper.
Shoot, shoot, shoot and shoot some more! Being a good shooter can change your life. Shooters make the team, become stars and move up to the next level. Pick one shot within your role of your team's offense and master it. Intense high speed shooting is the perfect combination of conditioning and skill work.
Next Season is Now
Use these last few weeks to practice, yes practice, listening and following directions.
Prepare your ego to focus on doing the basic things coaches want from every player on the team, but especially what your coach wants YOU to do.
As an assistant coach for several NCAA Division I teams, I was responsible for creating and implementing the preseason conditioning program. Many players quickly realized that they should have already been in better physical and mental shape on day one in order to endure my workouts that were designed to get them shape for the 1st day of practice.
Use these techniques to prepare for your preseason! Whether you are your team's best player, or just trying out for the first time, you prepare like the pros. Next season is NOW!
miercuri, 1 septembrie 2010
Rucker Park Rich in Basketball History
NEW YORK -- The B train takes you to the 155th street stop on the north edge of Harlem. It's a run-down subway station, never too crowded, and a set of stairs will take you back above ground.
A basketball paradise is just a block away.
Underneath the 155th Street bridge is Rucker Park, quite possibly the most famous playground in basketball. Rucker sits in the shadows of the Polo Grounds Towers, a collection of 30-story apartment buildings on the former site of an old baseball stadium.
Rucker is more than a hoops heaven--it's also a city-maintained park that has a children's playground, a baseball field, handball courts and other perks. But let's be real: it's known around the world for the basketball court in the corner of the three-acre lot right off Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
And, more specifically, for the great players who have competed on that court.
The Names
While NBA icons like Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have played at Rucker, there are talents who never made the NBA who are legends in Harlem. Like Joe Hammond, who scored 74 points in a game at Rucker in the 1970s. He's still talked about today.
The mystique of Rucker is even recognized among basketball's current stars, guys who have played for NBA titles, in Olympic gold-medal games and any other big-time atmosphere you can imagine.
Kobe Bryant showed up in 2002 and scored 18 first-half points before rain canceled the rest of the game. Still, it was an experience that Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, won't forget.
"I was curious," Bryant said later. "I love competition, and I heard so much about the place and I wanted to come down and see it for myself."
For many of the game's current stars, it's at least on the bucket list. Kevin Durant hasn't played at Rucker but insists he will someday. Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are in the same boat.
Others, like Carmelo Anthony, already have it crossed off.
"I played at Rucker once," Anthony said. "It was probably the best atmosphere I've been a part of. To play on a court like this, a historic landmark, it felt really good to go out there."
The History
Rucker Park was called the P.S. 156 Playground when it opened in 1956, and an influential Harlem teacher named Holcombe Rucker soon saw its potential.
Beginning in 1947, Rucker organized a tournament around Harlem for area players as a way to bond the community and give local kids an extracurricular activity. His motto was "Each one, teach one" and the tournament further played into his mission of promoting education. Often, Rucker would let grade cards influence who could play in the tournament.
The tournament eventually settled at P.S. 156, and it further gathered steam when a similar pro league was started for professional players to compete in the offseason. Some of the greatest talents in pro basketball--Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar and Erving were the biggest names--would play alongside incredible streetball talents out of Harlem. Those local players never received mainstream recognition as NBA talents, but they are still talked about in New York today.
Holcombe Rucker died of cancer in 1965 at the age of 38. His legacy was in place, though, and it was cemented when the city of New York renamed P.S. 156 to Holcombe Rucker Park in 1975.
Today
These days, Rucker Park is best known as the site of the famous Entertainers Basketball Classic summer league, which features the top streetball talents in New York along with occasional celebrity cameos. This is where Bryant and Anthony played, while recent appearances have included NFL stars Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.
The EBC has a men's division which headlines the league, but it also has a high school league, and U15, U12 and U10 divisions.
Along with being home of a more flashy game of streetball, Rucker Park is also charmed by fast-talking MCs who call the action, make fun of bad play, and come up with nicknames for great players that often stick around forever. Hammond, the Harlem legend, was known as "The Destroyer" for his game-changing scoring outbursts.
So one of the NBA's top young players, Kevin Durant, was asked the question: should you ever make it to the most famous playground in basketball, what would you want the MC to call you?
Durant smiled. He's thought about this.
"The Silent Assassin," he quietly replies. "I'll go with that."
Despite his rising NBA stardom, that's a nickname he will need to earn when he finally shows up at Rucker Park.
A basketball paradise is just a block away.
Underneath the 155th Street bridge is Rucker Park, quite possibly the most famous playground in basketball. Rucker sits in the shadows of the Polo Grounds Towers, a collection of 30-story apartment buildings on the former site of an old baseball stadium.
Rucker is more than a hoops heaven--it's also a city-maintained park that has a children's playground, a baseball field, handball courts and other perks. But let's be real: it's known around the world for the basketball court in the corner of the three-acre lot right off Frederick Douglass Boulevard.
And, more specifically, for the great players who have competed on that court.
The Names
While NBA icons like Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have played at Rucker, there are talents who never made the NBA who are legends in Harlem. Like Joe Hammond, who scored 74 points in a game at Rucker in the 1970s. He's still talked about today.
The mystique of Rucker is even recognized among basketball's current stars, guys who have played for NBA titles, in Olympic gold-medal games and any other big-time atmosphere you can imagine.
Kobe Bryant showed up in 2002 and scored 18 first-half points before rain canceled the rest of the game. Still, it was an experience that Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, won't forget.
"I was curious," Bryant said later. "I love competition, and I heard so much about the place and I wanted to come down and see it for myself."
For many of the game's current stars, it's at least on the bucket list. Kevin Durant hasn't played at Rucker but insists he will someday. Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul are in the same boat.
Others, like Carmelo Anthony, already have it crossed off.
"I played at Rucker once," Anthony said. "It was probably the best atmosphere I've been a part of. To play on a court like this, a historic landmark, it felt really good to go out there."
The History
Rucker Park was called the P.S. 156 Playground when it opened in 1956, and an influential Harlem teacher named Holcombe Rucker soon saw its potential.
Beginning in 1947, Rucker organized a tournament around Harlem for area players as a way to bond the community and give local kids an extracurricular activity. His motto was "Each one, teach one" and the tournament further played into his mission of promoting education. Often, Rucker would let grade cards influence who could play in the tournament.
The tournament eventually settled at P.S. 156, and it further gathered steam when a similar pro league was started for professional players to compete in the offseason. Some of the greatest talents in pro basketball--Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar and Erving were the biggest names--would play alongside incredible streetball talents out of Harlem. Those local players never received mainstream recognition as NBA talents, but they are still talked about in New York today.
Holcombe Rucker died of cancer in 1965 at the age of 38. His legacy was in place, though, and it was cemented when the city of New York renamed P.S. 156 to Holcombe Rucker Park in 1975.
Today
These days, Rucker Park is best known as the site of the famous Entertainers Basketball Classic summer league, which features the top streetball talents in New York along with occasional celebrity cameos. This is where Bryant and Anthony played, while recent appearances have included NFL stars Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.
The EBC has a men's division which headlines the league, but it also has a high school league, and U15, U12 and U10 divisions.
Along with being home of a more flashy game of streetball, Rucker Park is also charmed by fast-talking MCs who call the action, make fun of bad play, and come up with nicknames for great players that often stick around forever. Hammond, the Harlem legend, was known as "The Destroyer" for his game-changing scoring outbursts.
So one of the NBA's top young players, Kevin Durant, was asked the question: should you ever make it to the most famous playground in basketball, what would you want the MC to call you?
Durant smiled. He's thought about this.
"The Silent Assassin," he quietly replies. "I'll go with that."
Despite his rising NBA stardom, that's a nickname he will need to earn when he finally shows up at Rucker Park.
Breaking Down the Best at the Nike Hoop Jamboree
By Clark Francis, MaxxAthlete June 17, 2010
Believe it or not I have never been to the NIKE Hoop Jamboree, which takes place annually at this time of year in St. Louis, Mo.
However, our North Carolina editor Rick Lewis was in attendance this year and he tells us that "without a doubt" 6-foot-8 freshman Julius Randle from Plano, Texas (Prestonwood Academy) was the best player in camp.
"Randle is a southpaw with tremendous athleticism and he made a strong case for being the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2013," says Lewis. "Randle is long, lean, and mean inside the paint. He plays the game with passion and a purpose, which is unique for someone with his skill set and athletic ability. Randle plays with a high motor and, once he gets his hands on the ball in the paint, he is an absolute beast."
The first player that Lewis mentions from the Class of 2012 is 6-9 sophomore Cameron Ridley from Richmond, Texas (Ft. Bend Bush).
"He's a wide body that is tough to defend in the low post," says Lewis. "Simply put, Ridley is a beast on the inside and his sheer size and strength creates problems for opposing players. He does an excellent job of using his body and establishing low post position."
Another player that stood out was 6-7 sophomore Brandon Ashley from Oakland (Bishop O’Dowd) Calif.
"Ashley has a long and lanky frame, but his sheer athleticism and quickness creates mismatch problems for opposing teams," says Lewis. "His ability to utilize his explosive leaping ability allows him to easily score over bigger and stronger players in the paint. In addition, he has the ability to step out and knock down the 10-15 foot jump shot. More importantly, he has exceptionable ball handling skills for a player his size and beats most defenders with the dribble drive."
One of the top wing guards in the Class of 2012 is 6-4 sophomore Ricardo Ledo from Barrington (St. Andrews) R.I. "Ledo is a high level athlete with a smoothness to his game," says Lewis. "Ledo also has the speed and quickness to blow by defenders and the ability to knock down the open jumper. Very few wing guards displayed Ledo's combination of athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ."
And 6-4 sophomore Archie Goodwin from Little Rock, Ark. (Sylvan Hills) was simply outstanding.
"This southpaw did it all," says Lewis. "If Goodwin wasn’t knocking down open jumpers, he was attacking the basket and making some nifty reverse lay-ups. But even more important, Goodwin has the ability to create his own shot. Last, but not least, Goodwin showcased his excellent ball handling skills and even played point for his team. Like Ledo, Goodwin displayed a nice combination of athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ."
Lewis also tells us to be on the lookout for 6-4 freshman Deonte Burton from Milwaukee, Wisc. (Vincent).
"Burton is a fierce competitor and plays extremely hard. And I do mean extremely hard, as he utilized a variety of offensive skills during the event. He knocked down jumpers, but also could dribble drive and create an effective pull-up jumper. On the defensive end of the floor, he was tough as nails."
It also looks like 6-8 freshman Kuran Iverson from West Hartford (Northwest Catholic) Conn., continues to make a name for himself this spring.
"The young Iverson reminds me of a younger version of Quincy Miller," says Lewis. "But Iverson may be more developed at the same age. Iverson also has more athleticism than Miller. So it will be interesting to see if can maintain being one of the top five players nationally in the Class of 2013. Iverson is extremely long and already has all the tools to be a high level athlete and player. On the defensive end of the floor, he uses his length to block shots and has great timing on the boards. Once he secures the rebound, Iverson is talented enough to start the break in transition. Iverson has all the tools and intangibles and will challenge Randle over the next few years as one of the top players in the Class of 2013."
Other players that enjoyed a solid and productive camp was 6-2 freshman Nigel Williams-Goss from Henderson (Findley Prep) Nev., 6-7 freshman Jabari Parker from Chicago (Simeon) Ill., 6-6 sophomore Jarmal Reid from Decatur (Columbus) Ga., and 6-7 sophomore Charles Mitchell from Marietta (Wheeler) Ga.
Believe it or not I have never been to the NIKE Hoop Jamboree, which takes place annually at this time of year in St. Louis, Mo.
However, our North Carolina editor Rick Lewis was in attendance this year and he tells us that "without a doubt" 6-foot-8 freshman Julius Randle from Plano, Texas (Prestonwood Academy) was the best player in camp.
"Randle is a southpaw with tremendous athleticism and he made a strong case for being the top-ranked prospect in the Class of 2013," says Lewis. "Randle is long, lean, and mean inside the paint. He plays the game with passion and a purpose, which is unique for someone with his skill set and athletic ability. Randle plays with a high motor and, once he gets his hands on the ball in the paint, he is an absolute beast."
The first player that Lewis mentions from the Class of 2012 is 6-9 sophomore Cameron Ridley from Richmond, Texas (Ft. Bend Bush).
"He's a wide body that is tough to defend in the low post," says Lewis. "Simply put, Ridley is a beast on the inside and his sheer size and strength creates problems for opposing players. He does an excellent job of using his body and establishing low post position."
Another player that stood out was 6-7 sophomore Brandon Ashley from Oakland (Bishop O’Dowd) Calif.
"Ashley has a long and lanky frame, but his sheer athleticism and quickness creates mismatch problems for opposing teams," says Lewis. "His ability to utilize his explosive leaping ability allows him to easily score over bigger and stronger players in the paint. In addition, he has the ability to step out and knock down the 10-15 foot jump shot. More importantly, he has exceptionable ball handling skills for a player his size and beats most defenders with the dribble drive."
One of the top wing guards in the Class of 2012 is 6-4 sophomore Ricardo Ledo from Barrington (St. Andrews) R.I. "Ledo is a high level athlete with a smoothness to his game," says Lewis. "Ledo also has the speed and quickness to blow by defenders and the ability to knock down the open jumper. Very few wing guards displayed Ledo's combination of athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ."
And 6-4 sophomore Archie Goodwin from Little Rock, Ark. (Sylvan Hills) was simply outstanding.
"This southpaw did it all," says Lewis. "If Goodwin wasn’t knocking down open jumpers, he was attacking the basket and making some nifty reverse lay-ups. But even more important, Goodwin has the ability to create his own shot. Last, but not least, Goodwin showcased his excellent ball handling skills and even played point for his team. Like Ledo, Goodwin displayed a nice combination of athleticism, skill, and basketball IQ."
Lewis also tells us to be on the lookout for 6-4 freshman Deonte Burton from Milwaukee, Wisc. (Vincent).
"Burton is a fierce competitor and plays extremely hard. And I do mean extremely hard, as he utilized a variety of offensive skills during the event. He knocked down jumpers, but also could dribble drive and create an effective pull-up jumper. On the defensive end of the floor, he was tough as nails."
It also looks like 6-8 freshman Kuran Iverson from West Hartford (Northwest Catholic) Conn., continues to make a name for himself this spring.
"The young Iverson reminds me of a younger version of Quincy Miller," says Lewis. "But Iverson may be more developed at the same age. Iverson also has more athleticism than Miller. So it will be interesting to see if can maintain being one of the top five players nationally in the Class of 2013. Iverson is extremely long and already has all the tools to be a high level athlete and player. On the defensive end of the floor, he uses his length to block shots and has great timing on the boards. Once he secures the rebound, Iverson is talented enough to start the break in transition. Iverson has all the tools and intangibles and will challenge Randle over the next few years as one of the top players in the Class of 2013."
Other players that enjoyed a solid and productive camp was 6-2 freshman Nigel Williams-Goss from Henderson (Findley Prep) Nev., 6-7 freshman Jabari Parker from Chicago (Simeon) Ill., 6-6 sophomore Jarmal Reid from Decatur (Columbus) Ga., and 6-7 sophomore Charles Mitchell from Marietta (Wheeler) Ga.
Great basketball tips
Controlling Your Anxiety at the Free Throw Line
By Dr. Dan Czech, Sports Psychologist, Special for Better Basketball
Ever get nervous at the free throw line to the point where it affected your mechanics and consequently the shot? Ever feel that you have no control over the anxiety that you are feeling? Well, this article is a case study in just how stressful shooting free throws can be.
The following is a description of a basketball player who has had performance issues at the free throw line. Although he agreed to let me share his experience with you, I have changed his name and have not disclosed his school affiliation.
'Alex has been playing basketball ever since he can remember. He was the Captain and MVP on his high school varsity team and received a Division I scholarship from a powerhouse school in the southeast. He is now a sophomore in college and, as of this year, starting at the shooting guard spot. He never had any problems at the line until this year. He is still okay at practice but in games--during important times during the game--he feels nervous.'
By Dr. Dan Czech, Sports Psychologist, Special for Better Basketball
Ever get nervous at the free throw line to the point where it affected your mechanics and consequently the shot? Ever feel that you have no control over the anxiety that you are feeling? Well, this article is a case study in just how stressful shooting free throws can be.
The following is a description of a basketball player who has had performance issues at the free throw line. Although he agreed to let me share his experience with you, I have changed his name and have not disclosed his school affiliation.
'Alex has been playing basketball ever since he can remember. He was the Captain and MVP on his high school varsity team and received a Division I scholarship from a powerhouse school in the southeast. He is now a sophomore in college and, as of this year, starting at the shooting guard spot. He never had any problems at the line until this year. He is still okay at practice but in games--during important times during the game--he feels nervous.'
Rumble in the Bronx Features Unexpected Twists
By Clark Francis,
Sometimes even the most carefully laid plans of mice and men can go astray. And this was especially evident over the weekend when most of the big name players who we were told would be in attendance at the Rumble in the Bronx at Fordham University in New York did not show up and most of the top teams that we expected to go deep into the playoff were knocked off early in the tournament.
But that doesn't mean that things still weren't interesting, as East Coast Elite beat the Connecticut Basketball Club, 62-59, in the 17-Under Division Championship game. And in that game 6-foot-11 junior Malcolm Gilbert from Bryn Athyn (Academy of the New Church) Pa., didn't score a single point, but did have double-digits rebounds, six or seven blocked shots, and was the primary reason why 6-11 sophomore Andre Drummond from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) Conn., was forced to take his game out on the perimeter and score only 11 points in what was a lackluster performance at best.
Unfortunately this was indicative of the way Drummond played all weekend, as he showed flashes of brilliance, but never was the consistent dominant force that we expect him to be. Instead, the Connecticut Basketball Club advanced to the championship game thanks to a well balanced attacked that included the likes of 6-7 Tavon Allen from Worcester (Academy) Mass., 6-4 Greg Langston from Lee (Academy) Mass., 6-11 junior Vince Van Nes from Northfield (Northfield-Mt. Hermon) Mass., and 5-11 junior Phil Gaetano from Wallingford Choate) Conn.
Allen was the big hero in the semi-finals when he hit a pair of deep 3-pointers in the last minute to help bring his team back from a double-digit deficit against the New York Panthers and he is clearly getting under recruited, as is evident by the fact that this athletic wing forward told us that he has a list of schools that includes Drexel, Rhode Island, Siena, Charlotte, Fordham, and Hartford.
Langston provided the perfect complement out on the perimeter with his athleticism and ability to slash to the basket. Van Nes is a skilled big man with a mid-major future and Gaetano is a tough hard-nosed point guard who knows how to run the show, makes great passes and big shots, and has Ivy League-like grades.
The big hero in the championship game for East Coast Elite was 6-4 junior A.J. English from Middletown (Appoquinimink) Del., who finished with 28 points and six 3-pointers and also impressed us with his athleticism and craftiness to the basket. Two other guys who put up prolific numbers in the tournament were 6-7 junior Maurice Harkless from South Kent (Prep) Conn., and 6-3 junior DeAngelo Harrison from Sugar Land (Ft. Bend) Texas. However, Harkless, who did most of his damage when we saw his team in pool play with 31 points against 518 Hustle and 25 points points against Gold Coast, was embarrassingly non-productive in the playoffs. Instead, 6-foot junior Sterling Gibbs from West Orange (Seton Hall Prep) Conn., 6-3 Jeff Short from South Kent (Prep) Conn., and 6-6 Shaq Thomas from Newark (Nia Prep) N.J., and 6-foot junior Dahaun Wiggins from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) Maine were the ones who stepped up and were primarily responsible for leading the New York Panthers into the final four of the 17-Under Division playoffs.
Sometimes even the most carefully laid plans of mice and men can go astray. And this was especially evident over the weekend when most of the big name players who we were told would be in attendance at the Rumble in the Bronx at Fordham University in New York did not show up and most of the top teams that we expected to go deep into the playoff were knocked off early in the tournament.
But that doesn't mean that things still weren't interesting, as East Coast Elite beat the Connecticut Basketball Club, 62-59, in the 17-Under Division Championship game. And in that game 6-foot-11 junior Malcolm Gilbert from Bryn Athyn (Academy of the New Church) Pa., didn't score a single point, but did have double-digits rebounds, six or seven blocked shots, and was the primary reason why 6-11 sophomore Andre Drummond from Oakdale (St. Thomas More) Conn., was forced to take his game out on the perimeter and score only 11 points in what was a lackluster performance at best.
Unfortunately this was indicative of the way Drummond played all weekend, as he showed flashes of brilliance, but never was the consistent dominant force that we expect him to be. Instead, the Connecticut Basketball Club advanced to the championship game thanks to a well balanced attacked that included the likes of 6-7 Tavon Allen from Worcester (Academy) Mass., 6-4 Greg Langston from Lee (Academy) Mass., 6-11 junior Vince Van Nes from Northfield (Northfield-Mt. Hermon) Mass., and 5-11 junior Phil Gaetano from Wallingford Choate) Conn.
Allen was the big hero in the semi-finals when he hit a pair of deep 3-pointers in the last minute to help bring his team back from a double-digit deficit against the New York Panthers and he is clearly getting under recruited, as is evident by the fact that this athletic wing forward told us that he has a list of schools that includes Drexel, Rhode Island, Siena, Charlotte, Fordham, and Hartford.
Langston provided the perfect complement out on the perimeter with his athleticism and ability to slash to the basket. Van Nes is a skilled big man with a mid-major future and Gaetano is a tough hard-nosed point guard who knows how to run the show, makes great passes and big shots, and has Ivy League-like grades.
The big hero in the championship game for East Coast Elite was 6-4 junior A.J. English from Middletown (Appoquinimink) Del., who finished with 28 points and six 3-pointers and also impressed us with his athleticism and craftiness to the basket. Two other guys who put up prolific numbers in the tournament were 6-7 junior Maurice Harkless from South Kent (Prep) Conn., and 6-3 junior DeAngelo Harrison from Sugar Land (Ft. Bend) Texas. However, Harkless, who did most of his damage when we saw his team in pool play with 31 points against 518 Hustle and 25 points points against Gold Coast, was embarrassingly non-productive in the playoffs. Instead, 6-foot junior Sterling Gibbs from West Orange (Seton Hall Prep) Conn., 6-3 Jeff Short from South Kent (Prep) Conn., and 6-6 Shaq Thomas from Newark (Nia Prep) N.J., and 6-foot junior Dahaun Wiggins from North Bridgton (Bridgton Academy) Maine were the ones who stepped up and were primarily responsible for leading the New York Panthers into the final four of the 17-Under Division playoffs.
Keys to Planning a Good Practice
By Vicky McKenzie
Texas Tech University
Everyone knows that practice makes perfect; but not every practice is created equal. Here are some tips from Coach McKenzie of Texas Tech to ensure that your basketball practice is effective and powerful so that your team can reach its maximum potential.
Planning a practice
* Have a written workout schedule with a specific amount of time allotted for each drill or offensive/defensive segment
* Be sure to incorporate fundamentals into each practice (you can vary the drills but work on the some of the following fundamentals during each practice- passing, dribbling, shooting, ball handling, defense, and rebounding). Dont spend all of your workout time working on 5 on 5.
* Work on shooting everyday. Practice shooting the basketball when your players are tired. (a good time is at the end of practice or before a break). Practice game shots and free throws.
* Make practice as much like game situations as possible
* Include conditioning in your practice schedules
* Work hard, be enthusiastic! Have fun!
Texas Tech University
Everyone knows that practice makes perfect; but not every practice is created equal. Here are some tips from Coach McKenzie of Texas Tech to ensure that your basketball practice is effective and powerful so that your team can reach its maximum potential.
Planning a practice
* Have a written workout schedule with a specific amount of time allotted for each drill or offensive/defensive segment
* Be sure to incorporate fundamentals into each practice (you can vary the drills but work on the some of the following fundamentals during each practice- passing, dribbling, shooting, ball handling, defense, and rebounding). Dont spend all of your workout time working on 5 on 5.
* Work on shooting everyday. Practice shooting the basketball when your players are tired. (a good time is at the end of practice or before a break). Practice game shots and free throws.
* Make practice as much like game situations as possible
* Include conditioning in your practice schedules
* Work hard, be enthusiastic! Have fun!
The speed dribble
An Overview
How fast can you run? That is the speed with which you should be able to advance the ball with a dribble. Here is an exercise to help you develop this ability.
This exercise involves dribbling the length of the court with one hand and, then, dribbling back with the other. In essence, the speed dribble involves pushing the ball ahead of you and chasing it. Consequently, no matter how fast you run, you can never catch it.
Step 1: Stand behind a baseline. While stationary, dribble as described in my tip, Basic Dribbling. Because you are stationary, bounce the ball straight down to the court. When you bounce it straight down, it comes straight up.
Step 2: Using a running stride, begin advancing the ball toward the other baseline. As you increase your speed, increase the angle at which you dribble the ball to the floor. As you increase the angle, the dribbling hand moves farther in front of the body, staying in line with the shoulder.
The forefinger of the dribbling hand should be pointing directly away from you. Keep the ball low, at or below waist level.
Step 3: As you approach the other baseline, begin to slow down. As you slow down, the angle of the dribble decreases and your dribbling hand moves closer to your body. When you come to a complete stop, you should be dribbling as in Step 1.
Step 4: Turn toward the other baseline. As you turn, begin dribbling with the other hand. When ready, repeat Steps 2 and 3.
Step 5: Practice, practice, practice
How fast can you run? That is the speed with which you should be able to advance the ball with a dribble. Here is an exercise to help you develop this ability.
This exercise involves dribbling the length of the court with one hand and, then, dribbling back with the other. In essence, the speed dribble involves pushing the ball ahead of you and chasing it. Consequently, no matter how fast you run, you can never catch it.
Step 1: Stand behind a baseline. While stationary, dribble as described in my tip, Basic Dribbling. Because you are stationary, bounce the ball straight down to the court. When you bounce it straight down, it comes straight up.
Step 2: Using a running stride, begin advancing the ball toward the other baseline. As you increase your speed, increase the angle at which you dribble the ball to the floor. As you increase the angle, the dribbling hand moves farther in front of the body, staying in line with the shoulder.
The forefinger of the dribbling hand should be pointing directly away from you. Keep the ball low, at or below waist level.
Step 3: As you approach the other baseline, begin to slow down. As you slow down, the angle of the dribble decreases and your dribbling hand moves closer to your body. When you come to a complete stop, you should be dribbling as in Step 1.
Step 4: Turn toward the other baseline. As you turn, begin dribbling with the other hand. When ready, repeat Steps 2 and 3.
Step 5: Practice, practice, practice
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