Category
Offense
Jodie Meeks, a Lesson in Shooting
What makes Jodie Meeks’ efficient shooting?
- Perfect form
- Perfect footwork
- Impeccable shot preparation
- Ten toes pointed to the rim
- Square with the target with his shoulders
- Straight up and down (lands in the same spot that he took off)
Spin Move by Paul Pierce
If you want to learn a particular move, watch the best. Here’s a spin move by Paul Pierce from Game 6 agains the Pistons during Playoffs 2008. This may be Paul’s signature move, or one of two-three moves that he relies upon late in the games. Pay attention to his body balance and footwork, but also the finish. Also, notice how, in the middle of his spin, Pierce suddenly raises the ball to avoid being stripped or blocked.
Defense
Five Tool Player – Kobe Bryant
Five tools of a great basketball player:
- Shoot - Off the dribble, the post, three point range.
- Pass – Correct pass at the right time, give it to a teammate in a position where they can make a play.
- Dribble – Handle the basketball, go left, go right, create the shot.
- Defend – Guard multiple positions.
- Intangibles – Know the time, read the situations, rise to the occasion, make the right play to win the game.
Emeka Okafor Teaches Shot Blocking
Emeka points out the most important skills to be a great shot blocker.
- Timing. You are blocking as soon as the ball leaves the scorer’s hand.
- Body control. You don’t want to block the shot and give a foul. You want to be on your feet as long as needed, don’t go for the head fakes, have PATIENCE!
- The real job of the shot blocker is to ALTER shots, not block them in the first place. You want to project certain awareness to the opposing team that you are somewhere near to force them to alter the way they shoot. As long as the person misses it, the shot blocker has done the job.
- It is much more difficult to block your own guy’s shot as compared to weak side defense. With your own guy is aware of you and will try to create space. Not a lot of body contact is allowed.
- The most difficult shot to block is one-on-one fast break. The timing has to be especially right because you typically have a smaller guard coming at you.
- How hard you want to block the shot? Most times you want to just tip it to yourself or your teammate. There are times, though, when you want to block it as hard as possible, because you want to intimidate and send the message across.
Conditioning
Nutrition and Conditioning by Michael Jordan
Michael talks about nutrition and conditioning. He emphasizes the importance of eating properly, running both long range and sprints, working with weights.
Speed & Quickness
Basketball Plyometrics, Advanced Jumping and Quickness with Hurdles
- Repeat Hurdles: 1-3 sets, 3-5 reps, 5-10 hurdles. Start with 5 hurdles, stretch out to 10 as ability increases. Keep body under control at all times.
- Jump to Sprint: 3 sets, 5 reps, 1-3 hurdles. Repeat jump over 2-3 hurdles, then explode into a sprint.
Jumping (Vertical Leap)
Basketball Plyometrics, Resisted Jumping
- Partner Resisted Jumps: 3 sets, 5-15 reps. Put the hands on the shoulders of the jumper to add a bit of resistance and increase difficulty of the drill.
- Harness Jumps: 3 sets, 5-15 reps. Resistance on the up, overload on the down of the jump.
- Weighted Jumps: 3 sets, 5 reps with weight, 5 without. Don’t throw a lot of weight, just a bit to increase the difficulty slightly. It is important to alternate jumps with the vest 5 times, then without it 5 times.
Position
Guards
Why Bad Shooting Days Happen to Good Shooters
I always try to match a video to the basketball drill, routine, or aspect of the game. For certain things, there is no adequate video. In Why Bad Shooting Days Happen to Good Shooters article Brian McCormick... Do the drill »
Forwards
Spin Move by Paul Pierce
If you want to learn a particular move, watch the best. Here’s a spin move by Paul Pierce from Game 6 agains the Pistons during Playoffs 2008. This may be Paul’s signature move, or one of two-three... Do the drill »
Centers
Post Defense (with Amare Stoudemire)
Amare Stoudemire talks about post-up defense. He explains how to “body check” the offensive player, but at the same time preventing him from using the body contact against you. He points out... Do the drill »
All Positions
Luol Deng Teaches Spin Move
Luol Deng teaches how to spin around the defender correctly, what to pay attention to, and how to finish. He starts by saying: “basketball is a game of reaction.” Have your defender react to... Do the drill »
Fundamental Skills
Mental Aspects of the Game
Mental vs. Physical Skills by Michael Jordan
Michael emphasizes how hard the mental part of the game is because you have to apply everything you’ve ever learned about the game, and do it in real time – game time. He learned a lot of it... Do the drill »
Mental Preparation by Michael Jordan
Michael’s preparation for the game consists of relaxation, “joking around” with his teammates, and striving to have a perfect game every time he gets on the floor, even if he acknowledges... Do the drill »
Ball Handling
Five Tool Player – Kobe Bryant
Five tools of a great basketball player: Shoot - Off the dribble, the post, three point range. Pass – Correct pass at the right time, give it to a teammate in a position where they can make a play. Dribble... Do the drill »
Dre Baldwin Ball Handling
These two videos make a solid 20 minute ball handling workout. I don’t know much about this player, but most of the drills are standard basketball drills, standard from the time when Pete Maravich... Do the drill »
Passing
Five Tool Player – Kobe Bryant
Five tools of a great basketball player: Shoot - Off the dribble, the post, three point range. Pass – Correct pass at the right time, give it to a teammate in a position where they can make a play. Dribble... Do the drill »
Steve Nash On the Art of Passing
Steve’s guidelines for different types of passes and what is important to become a great passer: Chest pass: Always be on balance and put a back spin on the ball. Bounce pass: Ball needs to go half... Do the drill »
Sweep Step Basketball Passing Drill
Ganon Baker, one of my favorite teachers of fundamental basketball drills, is showing how to sweep the ball with a step and pass the ball. While this may not be a drill appropriate for very young players,... Do the drill »
Shooting
Five Tool Player – Kobe Bryant
Five tools of a great basketball player: Shoot - Off the dribble, the post, three point range. Pass – Correct pass at the right time, give it to a teammate in a position where they can make a play. Dribble... Do the drill »
Jodie Meeks, a Lesson in Shooting
What makes Jodie Meeks’ efficient shooting? Perfect form Perfect footwork Impeccable shot preparation Ten toes pointed to the rim Square with the target with his shoulders Straight up and down (lands... Do the drill »
Why Bad Shooting Days Happen to Good Shooters
I always try to match a video to the basketball drill, routine, or aspect of the game. For certain things, there is no adequate video. In Why Bad Shooting Days Happen to Good Shooters article Brian McCormick... Do the drill »
Moving Without Ball
Moving Without Ball with Rip Hamilton
Becoming a dominating shooter in basketball has more to do with getting yourself in the right position for the shot than with mechanics of shooting, or the quality of your form. This is not to say that... Do the drill »
Dribble Attack
Five Tool Player – Kobe BryantFive tools of a great basketball player: Shoot - Off the dribble, the post, three point range. Pass – Correct pass at the right time, give it to a teammate in a position where they can make a play. Dribble... Do the drill »
Sam Cassell Teaches Mid-Range ShootingSam Cassell is smallish guard who could shoot any time from around the paint when he was on the top of his game. He explains in this video what mid-range is, how to create space. Sam points out that... Do the drill »
Luol Deng Teaches Spin MoveLuol Deng teaches how to spin around the defender correctly, what to pay attention to, and how to finish. He starts by saying: “basketball is a game of reaction.” Have your defender react to... Do the drill »
Rebounding
Dwight Howard Teaches Rebounding
You always have to find your man and box out. Make contact, get low, and drive him out. Use your hands too. Always be ready and look for the ball off the rim. Will and effort to go and get every rebound... Do the drill »
McHale Rebounding Drill
This is a useful rebounding drill. Since basketball is very physical environment, especially down low. This drill teaches you to be able to do one thing with one hand while doing something else with you... Do the drill »
Footwork
Spin Move by Paul Pierce
If you want to learn a particular move, watch the best. Here’s a spin move by Paul Pierce from Game 6 agains the Pistons during Playoffs 2008. This may be Paul’s signature move, or one of two-three... Do the drill »
