My my My my
 
 
 
 
 
 

How to get shifty handles basketball


How to Become Shifty? (Try This To Create Space)

Today, I’m going to be showing you a quick four-step process that you can use to easily shift defenders, and by shift, I mean make them go one way while you go the other way.

Of course, this is going to help you create space for your shot and attack, whether you’re driving to the rim, whether you’re getting to the elbow, whatever it is that you want. This is pretty much going to help you learn how to embarrass defenders when you’re on the court with your handles.

4 Steps to Shift Defenders Easily

1 – Extension

The first step of being shifty when you’re a guard, or when you’re trying to create space with your handles and trying to shift defenders, is to get in a low position. 

Keep in mind that you don’t want to be too low because then you can’t move. But be in a good low attack position.

When you do it focus on your hips – on opening with your hips and creating an extension. That’s the first step of shifting defenders. 

By extension, I mean you want to cover a lot of ground which is going to build a foundation for all your moves and that’s why it’s very important that you open your hip. This is something I actually learned from martial arts. If you try to kick somebody you wouldn’t be able to get that far because of a hip that is not so open.

The same thing applies to basketball. If you want to extend, you can open that hip and extend much more. Also, opening your hips is going to give you a much better opportunity to extend and extension is very important because you want to cover ground when you’re making these moves.  It’s going to open the door to being much more shifty. 

Step #2 Setup

Step number two is the setup. Once we have the extension, the setup comes with utilizing that extension, whether we’re going hard in one direction or going hard in the other direction.

Even if we’re taking horizontal dribbles to create space these are all different setups but you have to master all different types of setups to be shifty. It comes with the extension part because if I’m just attacking my moves and not going anywhere, it’s impossible to be shifty. 

So first step we had the extension, the second step we had the setup. 

Step #3 Power 

The third step is power. This comes from a mix of opening your hips and using your hips. At the same time, it comes from the extension as well. But when I say power I mean the power of your moves when you push off your back foot. The power when you’re doing your crossovers or when you’re pulling the ball back and in your dribble too.

You should be pounding the ball hard. That power is very important for making defenders go where you want them to go. You’re not going to be able to get somebody to move if you’re not using power. 

You can see a big difference between a crossover that involves power and one without it. Focus on that to improve and become shifty. 

The setup is important because you want to push hard to even set a move up. If I never beat my defender, he’ll never fall for a crossover. We want these three steps in all our moves. 

You should overstress the power when you’re practicing or when you’re training. Just pound the ball in your training so when you get in the game it becomes natural to you. Of course, when you get in the game you don’t want to be pounding the ball uncontrollably. But when you practice that a lot it’ll become second nature for you to have that power in your game.

Step #4 Execution

Execution is all about being able to finish off the moves whether you’re finishing at the rim or hitting the shot, it does no good to be able to shift somebody, get them bouncing because you won’t be able to hit them with hesitations or none of that head fakes and all that if you can’t hit the shot out of it.

 If they know I can’t shoot it doesn’t mean any good to come all the way and go like that. You’re not going to shoot it because you can’t shoot and if you shoot you’re probably not going to make it.  

You need to be able to execute these moves and finish. Again, if I’m known for crossing somebody, getting to the rim, and missing a layup, they’re going to be less likely to shift and try to stop me in my moves.

They’ll probably be like ‘Hey if he beats you he’s just going to miss.’  So, you should execute these moves as well. 

In order to execute the fourth part you really have to master the first three parts. If you don’t master those you won’t be able to execute.  Implement each step, focus on the breakdown of each step by itself so you understand it, and then work on implementing them altogether.

I hope you found this post helpful. If you enjoyed then you’ll love our free training here. 

7 Common Traits in Elite Level Dribbling

Fluid dribbling skills will help a player create space and separation from a defender to make impact plays. It starts with having control and feel of the basketball. This yields a player becoming an overall better ball handler and decision maker on the court. A players dream is to dribble the ball on a string. Players like Kyrie Irving, Jamal Crawford, Steph Curry and Chris Paul all have mastered this concept.

We will explore common traits that all those elite level players share drills that will fuel and tool your individual and team practices to help your players become the best at dribbling the ball with authority.


1. Stay Low, Be Athletic!

Dominate elite-level dribbling begins with a low and compact presence on the basketball court. An Athletic Stance is a key. Let's examine this position from the bottom (feet) to the top (head):

  • Feet shoulder's width apart
  • Legs bent at the knee area
  • Butt down, hips back, and back straight
  • Chest out
  • Shoulders over toes
  • Head up

An Athletic Stance optimizes a player's insight on how to start and stop, change directions, and speeds while dribbling. As a result, court vision and explosiveness positively influence their ability to be a threat relentlessly making plays including scoring.


2. Pound Dribble Hard

The ball is dribbled hard, smart and on purpose. The unknown secret weapon for hard pounds is to drive the dribbling elbow straight down when dribbling. This action causes the ball to come back to the hand quicker. Smart dribblers do not dribble idly. They always have a purpose of getting to a target or advancing the ball on the floor. All of the above allows dribbling to become consistent and reproducible. Here is a great drill to discover more emphasis and tips on the Pound dribble.


3. Weak Hand Development

We want to have players be shifty, elusive, be hard to figure out on directional and speed changes as mentioned previously. This happens when players learn how to dribble with both hands with equal distribution of power. Check out this link on Weak Hand Development.


4. Speed Dribble

The Speed Dribble is a quick push of the ball down the basketball floor. A speed dribble is like a race as we want the ball to come in first and offensive players body comes in second as they are chasing the advancement of the ball in a straight line. Check out the link above to show how to incorporate this drill that gives insight on the Speed Dribble.


5. Change of Directions, Change Speeds

Players that master the art of when changing directions, they ought to change speeds as well. This combination leaves an on ball defender role difficult because they have a hard time matching the speed and intensity of the dribbler. Check out this webpage on Changing Speeds with video from a former NBA player demonstrating how to effectively use change of speeds to get past any defender.


6. Hesitation Move

We describe the best move on the move is a Hesitation Move. It freezes your defender and makes your defender react to you. They have a hard time detecting direction and speed change ups and keeps the offensive player in attack mode to advance the basketball or to make a play themselves.


7. Off Hand Attacks/Control Dribbles

Use your offhand as an arm bar to protect the basketball from the defense reaching in looking to disrupt the dribble. When defenders are relentless or trapping, use Control dribbles to release pressure. Those dribbles are Jerk Back, Step Back-Crossover, Escape. Please click on the links and they will take you to the webpages to show the moves in action, the cues and how to use these dribbles effectively in drills.

Slamdunk Journal :: Basketball techniques

Our phone number is 8-800-500-62-63.

What techniques exist and how they differ


Let's first deal with the definition: playing techniques are skills that a professional player must possess. Sounds simple, but what exactly are the skills in basketball? What should an amateur who wants to improve the performance of his game pay attention to? Let's figure it out.

The main goal in basketball is to successfully hit the ball into the basket, and everything that happens on the court only brings the players to this moment. There are skills that basketball players work out in training to bypass rivals and make a successful shot.

Before we list them, let us remind you that basketball is a team sport, and even the most successful players do not master all the tricks perfectly. With a serious approach to training, you should decide on your position on the site and especially carefully work out the necessary techniques.

So the post must deftly pick up the ball under the hoop and throw it right into the basket. Back row players are highly regarded for their ability to pass and make accurate shots from medium to long distances. And for an attacking basketball player, it is extremely important to be able to make lightning-fast breakthroughs to the ring. All these techniques and skills are practiced in training.

What are the basic skills?

  • Holding the throw. Performed with two hands. Widely spaced fingers hold the ball from both sides. One of the basic skills for any player.
  • Catching the ball. Another basic skill that no basketball player can do without. But are you sure you know how to do it right?!

The easiest way to catch the ball is at chin level. To do this, you need to take a small step forward and stretch your arms towards the ball with widely spread fingers - a “funnel”. In this case, the thumbs should be directed towards each other and brought together up to 3-5 centimeters. This will save you from slipping and hitting the ball in the face if you catch it at high speed. At the moment the ball touches the fingers, you need to make a shock-absorbing movement and transfer it to the chest. When catching the ball above the head, the actions are similar, but you need to extinguish the speed of its flight from the top-front, and then transfer it to the chest in an arc.

One of the most difficult tricks is catching the ball flying behind. Such a pass is often used to quickly break through to the opponent's ring. For him, without slowing down, make a slight turn of the shoulder and head towards the ball, and then catch it with the far hand and move it to the chest with a raking movement.

Basic passing techniques:

There are several technically correct ways to pass the ball. One of the most basic is a transfer with two hands from the chest. In this position, the ball is most protected from the attacks of opponents, and besides, the transfer from the chest is the most accurate and reliable, regardless of whether it is carried out on the spot or while the player is moving.

  • Two-handed downshift is more commonly used after stops and turns. During the swing, the ball is taken to the thigh, after which it is sent to another player with a sharp movement of both hands. Such a transfer is effective for beating especially tall opponents.
  • One-handed passes are less accurate and more often used when speed is important. Their development should be given special attention in training in order to achieve maximum strength and accuracy.
  • The shoulder pass is used when the ball needs to be passed as far and as fast as possible, and the hook pass, performed in an arcing motion, is good for passing the opponent.
  • To get around a nimble and agile opponent, a rebound pass will also be good. It can be done with one or two hands. In this case, the push of the ball must be strong, and the rebound point must be closer to the receiving player.

What about dribbling?

Dribbling is the most basic thing in basketball. What makes this sport different from the rest. Simply put, dribbling is dribbling. It allows the player in possession of the ball, without violating strict basketball rules, to enter a position convenient for attacking, approach the ring and score the ball. The dribbling is carried out by elastic pushes of the ball with the fingers. It is dribbling that should be given special attention in training beginners.

Well-developed dribbling technique will teach you not only how to move on the court, but also skillfully take the ball away from your opponents, which will bring you closer to the coveted ring.

But we already wrote about how to properly throw the ball into the ring in our other article;)

Slamdunk.su

Other articles

How to throw the ball correctly in basketball

And what types of throws exist

We look and understand

Why 'The Last Dance' is one of the best shows of the year

Knee exercises

How to strengthen get rid of pain.

Top 7 Best Basketball Movies

What to see during self-isolation

Sports brace

How to avoid strains, dislocations and sprains?

Why are basketballs orange and how are they different

It would seem that it can be difficult to choose a basketball

We continue to work in quarantine

We deliver to your door. We will deliver contactless.

Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners

Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.

Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners

1. Hands up

In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!

2. Throw from the shield

Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!

3. Look at the ring, not at the ball

Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.

4. Dribble with your fingertips only

The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.

5. Throw with one hand

If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.

6. Do not jump when protecting the ring

Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.

7. Don't look back

When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).

8. Bring the throw to automatism

Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.

Throw the ball with all fives and jump

Throwing Rules:

  • Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
  • Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
  • A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
  • The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
  • Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.

The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).

Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.

How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball

How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.

9. Copy masters and play as a team

Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.

10. Do not throw in a straight line

The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.

11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand

This is the biggest newbie mistake!

Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time.


Learn more