Newsletter #324

All players need to work on (1) ball-handling skills, (2) shooting, (3) finishing under the backboard, (4) offensive moves, (5) free-throw shooting, (6) fingertip tipping and jumping drills, and conditioning. Do these things 4-5 days/week.

Ball-Handling/Dribbling - spend 10 minutes doing standard ball-handling drills, and dribbling drills. 

• Ball Handling
• Stationary Dribbling Drills
• Sideline Dribbling Drills

Mikan Drill - this old drill is still one of the very best for developing a touch and feel for the ball coming of the backboard. Do this before your shooting practice. Become familiar with how the ball comes off the backboard, and at different angles. See Mikan drill.

Spot Shooting - see the diagram showing the common places to shoot on the court. Spend time taking a certain number of shots from each of these spots. Always follow and rebound any missed shots with a lay-up. Start with the shorter shots, working on good one-handed technique with your shoulders square, your elbow in, proper wrist cock and fingertip release and with a nice follow through, getting back-spin (rotation). Extend your range out to the 3-point range.

Offensive Moves

Perimeter - 

See Guard Moves and Skills.
Do each of these moves five times - first, from the right side of the court: right-handed players make sure your left foot is the pivot foot, and you jab step with your right foot, and just the opposite for lefties.
1. Jab step- drive - lay-up.
2. Jab step - crossover - lay-up.
3. Jab step - pull back - jump shot.
4. Jab step - drive - jump shot.
5. Jab step - crossover - jump shot.
6. Shot fake - one dribble - jump shot (both right and left).

Then, repeat all six moves from the left side of the court. Shoot all lay-ups from this side, left-handed.

Post Players - 

Refer to How to Become a Good Post Player. Do each move five times:
1. Drop step to baseline, right side.
2. Drop step to lane, jump hook, right side.
3. Pivot, face defender, jab step, baby jumper, right side
4. Pivot, face defender, fake shot, up and under move, right side.
5. Drop step to baseline, left side.
6. Drop step to lane, jump hook, left side.
7. Pivot, face defender, jab step, baby jumper, left side
8. Pivot, face defender, fake shot, up and under move, left side.
9. Elbow shooting drill (see 2-Man Shooting Drills).

Free-Throw Shooting - see How to Become a Good Free-Throw Shooter for fundamentals, attitude, and a practice routine. Shoot 25 free throws. Keep a record of your shooting percentage.

Tipping Drill - stand under the basket on the right side and throw the ball up on the backboard. Jump as high as you can, and tip the ball with your right hand fingertips 10 times. Try to tip the last one in the basket. Repeat this on the left side, using your left hand. This will help improve your fingertip control and play under the basket, as well as improving your leaping ability.

Conditioning - you must be in excellent physical condition to be a good player. Shooting, concentration, and fundamentals deteriorate when you are tired. Run a couple miles 3 or 4 days a week. Do some wind sprints, or 100 yard dashes. Jumping rope is also good for developing quick feet, as well as for conditioning. Be ready when the first day of practice arrives.

I hope you find this helpful. Good luck! ~ Coach Gels

See "Practicing in the Off-Season".