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How to practice basketball moves
How to practice basketball moves
The 6 best moves you need to know
If you're starting to learn how to play basketball, working on your dribbling, shooting, and passing skills is crucial if you want to become a great player. Dribbling is arguably the most important aspect of the sport. Every player has to start somewhere, so read on to learn some fantastic tricks to elevate your game.
The importance of dribbling
Dribbling is important for both offensive and defensive basketball. On the offense, it's used to free yourself from congested areas and drive the ball up the court. Dribbling in defense can be an effective stalling tactic when you're being pressed. You need to be able to dribble with both hands to enable you to move freely in either direction and make it harder for a defensive player to guard you. In your practice sessions, work on dribbling with your weaker hand.
Red Bull Reign 2019 India Finals
© Ali Bharmal
Mastering these six basketball tricks will help you become a valuable team player and dominate on the court.![]()
Any trick you learn can go a long way toward smashing the opposition.
1. Crossover
One of the first dribble moves a player needs to practice when they start learning basketball tricks is the crossover dribble. It's also one of the easiest basketball moves for a player to perform, but don't be fooled by the simplicity — players at all levels use the crossover to blow past an opponent.
The crossover involves bouncing the ball from one hand to the other in front of you. You would mostly use this move when you want to change direction and you're not being closely guarded by a defender who could poke the ball away from you.
2. In-and-out
A great basketball move for players learning the game is the in-and-out dribble. It's a move that's designed to fool a defender into thinking you're going to perform a standard crossover. You can get a defender to switch their weight to the wrong leg, opening up a driving lane to attack.
While bouncing the ball with one hand, you use a fake move of the head and shoulders to make it look like you're going in the other direction.
You move the ball inside and then back out by changing the position of your hand on the ball and then move forward in the same direction.
3. Through the legs
The through-the-legs dribble is similar to the crossover in that you bounce the ball from one hand to the other, but you cross it between your legs. As the ball passes through the legs, the front leg makes it difficult for an opponent to reach in. It also keeps the ball further from the defense.
Young players can find this move difficult because of the coordination and timing involved. However, when you learn to stay low and explode out of it, this can be one of the most effective basketball tricks.
4. Behind the back
Like the through-the-legs move, the behind-the-back dribble enables you to cross the basketball from one hand to the other while protecting it from a defender. As you pass the ball behind you, your whole body protects it.
One of the biggest advantages of this basketball move is that you can pass the ball out in front of your opposite hand, allowing for a quick offensive attack.
While you're on a fast break and a defender lunges in to take the ball, using the behind-the-back dribble helps you protect the ball and escape from your opponent without breaking your stride.
5. Hesitation dribble
The hesitation dribble is a straight-line move that's often used to explode past a defender, giving you the opportunity to attack the basket or enable a teammate to shoot. The aim of this dribble move is to make your opponent think you're going to stop — and then you burst past them.
As you're dribbling quickly down the court, you slow down for a split second, slightly raise your body, and look at the basket or a teammate as if you're going to shoot or pass the ball. To stay in a good defensive position, the defender will slow down and, as they lose their momentum, you push off on your back foot and explode past them.
6. Spin move
One of the most difficult basketball tricks to learn is the spin move, but it's important for you to have this dribbling skill in your repertoire.
When you've put in the work to practice this move, it's a quick and effective weapon to use against your opponents.
For the spin move, you plant your inside foot and reverse-swivel around the defender while taking the ball with you and protecting it with your body. You have to make sure your hand stays on top of the ball, because if your hand goes under, you may get stopped for a carrying violation.
6 Basketball Moves You Need to Beat Any Defender
Many players believe they need complex basketball moves to be a great ball-handler.
Instead of sticking to the basics, they want to learn the "advanced moves".
For example, the "double-crossover-spin-hesi-jumper” or the “triple-spin-back-cross-pullup”.
(yes, I made these up)
But the truth is…
By perfecting 6 fundamental basketball moves, you'll have everything you need to explode past any defender on the court.
They'll allow you to:
a. Get to the rim with ease (to create a shot for yourself or a teammate)
b.
Fly past your opponent when you’re quickly bringing the ball up the court.
Below, I’ve broken down what the 6 basketball moves are and how you can use them in a game.
1. Crossover Dribble
The crossover involves bouncing the basketball in front of you from one hand to the other.
It’s most often used when a player wants to change directions and they’re not being tightly guarded by a defender who could poke the ball away.
This is the easiest basketball move for players to perform, and is the first move a player will start practicing when they first start learning how to dribble.
But don’t let the simplicity fool you…
The crossover is used by players at all levels to blow past an opponent.
Crossover Dribble Video:
2. Through the Legs Dribble
The through-the-legs basketball move involves crossing the basketball over from one hand to the other, but putting the ball between your legs.
A small difference from a regular crossover, but an important one.
When the ball is passed between the legs, the front leg offers protection from a defender reaching in and also ensures the ball is further away from the defense.
The timing and coordination needed for this move can make it difficult for young players, but it’s effective when players learn how to stay low and explode out of it.
Through the Legs Dribble Video:
3. Behind the Back Dribble
Similar to through the legs, the behind the back dribble allows players to switch the ball from one hand to the other while protecting the basketball.
With this move, the entire body protects the ball as a player wraps the ball behind them.
One of the biggest benefits of going behind the back is the ball can be passed out in front of your opposite hand which allows an offensive player to attack quickly.
So if a defender lunges in to steal the basketball while on the fast break, a quick behind the back dribble can help you protect the ball and evade the defender without breaking stride.
Behind the Back Dribble Video:
4. Hesitation Dribble
The hesitation dribble involves dribbling with speed, slowing down for a split-second, and then exploding past your defender.
It’s a straight-line basketball move often used in transition to beat a defender and attack the rim or create a shot for a teammate.
The goal with the hesitation dribble is to trick the defender into thinking you’re about to stop. This can be achieved by slightly raising your body, looking up to the rim like you’re about to shoot, looking up at a teammate, or a combination.
When a defender notices you slowing down, they’ll do the same in order to stay in good defensive position...
With the defender losing their momentum, you’ll be able to explode past them to the rim.
Hesitation Dribble Video:
5. In-and-Out Dribble
The in-and-out dribble move is designed to trick the defender into thinking you’re about to perform a regular crossover.
This is a great basketball move for players first learning the game of basketball.
Keeping the basketball in one hand, the offensive player uses a head and shoulders fake while moving the ball inside and then back out by switching the position of their hand on the ball.
It’s most commonly used in transition to get a defender to shift their weight from one direction to another which opens up a driving lane to attack.
In-and-Out Video Dribble:
6. Spin Move
The spin move is one of the most difficult basketball moves to learn, but it’s an important weapon for players to have in their dribbling repertoire.
It involves planting your inside foot and reverse-pivoting around a defender while dragging the basketball with you.
This can be a difficult move for young players to execute, but it’s quick and effective when a player has put in the work practicing it.
It’s important that players ensure their hand stays on top of the basketball.
If the hand slips under, referees will whistle the dribbler for a carrying violation.
Spin Move Video:
Conclusion
A quick warning...
Don't try to overcomplicate it.
The players who try to do "too much" are the same players who will pump fake four times, dribble six times through their legs, and then dribble twice behind their back without ever making their defender move and inch.
Instead, you want to keep your basketball moves simple and effective.
Mastering the fundamentals is key.
5 Basketball Exercises to Move the Ball with Passes
There is nothing better than watching a team move the ball quickly and efficiently around the court without greed.
Overcoming the defense with smart passing the ball to each other, creating situations for open shots and passes is one of the great offensive techniques.
Want your team to do it?
Basketball passing exercises in this article will help you with this.
But first let me explain something very important...
There are two types of training exercises:
1. Technique for passing the ball.
2. Decision making during transfers.
Unfortunately, most coaches only focus on the "technical" aspect of training and forget how to train their team's decision-making ability when it comes to sharing the ball.
Your players will not improve their game passes by doing thousands of repetitions of chest passes.
While technical drills have their place, they are far less important than passing drills with decision making.
We must let the players learn how to read the defense and make the right decisions.
In addition, ball passing exercises are great for starting a workout to warm up your team and get them to communicate and work together.
5 ball passing exercises.
1. Advance
How the drill works:
Players form 3 columns evenly distributed along the end line.
The two outside players start with the balls.
3 players advance across the court passing the ball back and forth to the middle player and then finish the exercise with two shots from under the basket.
Purpose:
A fun passing exercise that works on catching and passing without running, with communication, timing, and shooting from under the basket at game speed.
Formation:
Players form 3 columns behind the end line.
Two players on the outside lines have balls.
Instructions:
3 players (1, 2 and 5) begin to move forward on the court. The 1st outside player passes the ball to the 2nd player in the middle line.
Immediately upon receiving the ball, the center line player returns the ball to the same player on the touchline.
The 1st middle player then turns to the other side and receives a pass from the 5th outside player and immediately returns the ball to him.
Outside players may use 1-2 steps to avoid running.
The drill continues until the players reach the opposite 3-point line. When this happens, the two outside dribblers go to the basket and shoot.
The group then waits at the opposite end for the rest of the groups to complete the exercise before starting the exercise on the other side. On the right scheme at the top, the three players (4, 3 and 2) continue the exercise according to the scheme described above.
Options:
Medium or 3-point shots. Instead of ending with a run to the basket, players may end with mid-range shots or 3-point shots.
Back and forth - Instead of waiting at the other end, the troika can complete the drill both ways. Only now the threes are placed on both end lines and begin the exercise when the three from the opposite side return to their half of the court.
One Ball - If you are coaching very young players, you can run this exercise with one ball until the players understand how it works.
Coach's notes:
Passes must be passed on the move in front of the player using proper passing technique.
The receiver must hold his hands at goodie level, showing 10 fingers and calling for the ball to be passed to him.
The middle player must catch the ball and quickly pass the ball to a running partner. Don't run!
Shooting technique while moving from under the basket is very important in this exercise. Watch your footwork and make sure all players are doing it right.
2. Monkey in the middle
How the exercise works:
Players are divided into groups of three. Each group has one ball. The two transmitters lined up 12 to 15 feet apart. The third player in the group is the "monkey in the middle". He tries to hit or steal the ball. The two outside players must pass the ball to each other without using cross passes or dribbling. Simply turning and using feints to open up the passing line and pass the ball past the defender.
Goal:
A fun exercise that works on defense at the same time.
This exercise will teach players how to use feints and turns to create a passing zone and also to protect the ball.
Lineup:
• Groups of 3 players.
• Each group has one ball.
• The passers are lined up 12-15 feet apart with the third player (back) in the middle.
Instructions:
1. The drill starts with the defender attacking the player who starts the drill with the ball.
2. The attacker uses feints and steps to pass to another attacker while the defender attempts to parry or intercept the pass.
3. After each pass, the defender rushes towards the ball carrier and tries to press the ball again.
4. When the defender recovers the ball or kicks the ball, the players change positions.
Variations:
Change after a certain time - Players can change positions
after a certain period of time (depending on the age of the players, their strength and stamina), and not after each interception and elimination.
For example, 30-40 seconds.
One dribbling available. Let the attacking players hit the ball once to the floor to open up the passing corner. It will be tougher for the defender.
Only bounce passes allowed - in order to make it more difficult for attackers, allow them to only bounce passes.
Notes:
• It is very important for a defender to have active arms and legs at all times. This is the best way to intercept.
• Passing players must wait for the defender to recover before making the next pass. The purpose of the training is to learn how to pass and create passing angles.
• If there is no set time, the offensive player must not hold the ball for more than 5 seconds without passing the ball.
• No passing in an arc! They make the drill too easy for the attackers and will not lead to improvement.
3. Swing passes
How the exercise works:
The team is divided into 4 groups in the corners on half the court.
The players make a pass to the player on the right, who start running along the sideline towards the endline. The sender then joins the end of the column into which he passed the ball.
Purpose:
A drill intended to be used primarily with young players or as a warm-up. This training will improve passing the ball on the move, as well as improve reception and passing without dribbling.
Lineup:
• The team is divided into 4 groups. One group located in each corner.
• The first player in one of the groups has the ball.
Instructions:
1. The drill is started by ball carrier 02 passing the ball 01 to the player on the right.
2. Before passing the ball, the receiver must start running in the direction of the next group, where he will make the next pass of the ball.
3. 01, having received the ball, passes it to player 05, who starts a dash towards 03.
4. After each pass, the passer joins the end of the group where the ball was passed.
5. The exercise continues according to the same scheme with passes and jerks of the players along the square in the same direction.
6. After a certain period of time, the coach changes the direction of the passes.
Options:
Turn on the second ball. If the players perform confidently, then you can enter the second ball in the opposite corner.
Various types of passes - The drill can be performed with one or two hand passes, bouncing, etc. One Dribbling - Players are allowed to make one dribbling before passing to the next player. This can be useful if you are passing with one hand.
TIPS:
• The receiver does not need to slow down or speed up to catch a transmission. Transfers must be accurate, timely and forward.
• The receiver must initiate the snatch in a timely manner with arms outstretched to assist the passing player in making a timely and accurate pass.
• It is very important that you do not make any mistakes during the exercise.
Don't let them fall into this bad habit.
• Begin the exercise at medium speed at the beginning until the players understand it. Then increase the intensity.
4. Bronze gears.
How the drill works:
Starting at the end line at the edge of the penalty area, pairs of players pass the ball back and forth using different passes as they run across the court to the other end line. When they get there, they move closer to the touchline and come back using various passes over the players in the middle of the court.
Purpose:
An excellent warm-up that provides many passes in a short amount of time. Including passes of various lengths and types for players in training.
Line-up:
• All players find a partner.
• Each pair has one ball.
• Pairs split into two columns behind the endline at the edge of the SR.
Instructions:
• 1.
The first pair move to the opposite side at a slow pace in the middle of the court, passing the ball from the chest to each other.
• 2. As soon as the first pair is closer to the 3-point line, the next pair starts.
• 3. When the first pair of players reach the opposing endline, they move to the touchlines and return, passing the ball over the pairs of players moving in the middle of the court.
• 4. When the players return to their starting position, they rejoin the pairs in the middle of the court and continue continuous training.
• 5. Every couple of minutes, change the type of passes players make for middle pairs and outside pairs.
Options:
Gears for pairs in the middle. For the mid lanes, there are several types of passes that I recommend: from the chest, with a rebound, one-handed from the chest, and one-handed with a rebound.
Outline Passes - For outside lines there are several types of passes that I recommend: chest passes, overhead passes, one hand passes.
Remember to consider your team's age, strength and skill level when deciding which passes they should use during practice.
Tips:
• Follow the pace of the exercise; especially if it is used as one of the warm-up exercises. Walking should not be allowed, but too much traffic should also be avoided. Accurate transmission is the main focus of training.
• Players on the outside lines must not make too many passes in an arc and with a very high trajectory on their passes. They should be at a height that is safe enough not to hit the midlines, but straight enough to reach your partner quickly.
• The ability to pass the ball with either hand is an important skill to develop. Expect mistakes when your players first perform a drill, but make sure you train them properly.
• Footwork is very important during this workout. Players must be able to catch the ball and pass back to their partner in two steps. If you are training young children and they cannot pass the ball at speed yet, slow down the pace of the exercise.
• After each run around the court, the players must switch to the sides so that they practice passing short and long passes from both sides of their body.
5. Netball
How the exercise works:
regular battle without dribbting the ball is allowed at any time. Games can be played 3 on 3, 4 on 4, or 5 on 5.
Target:
An excellent exercise that improves not only passing the ball, but also moving without the ball, positioning, jerking, etc. This exercise will lead to less use of dribbling in games and fewer losses.
Lineup:
• Divide the players into two teams based on the number of players available for training.
• Try to make teams of the same height and skill level.
• Only one ball is needed for training.
Instructions:
1. Teams play normal full game - no dribbling!
2. The exercise is performed within the time specified by the trainer.
3. Start with the arrangement shown in the diagram.
Point system:
• The game is played up to either 5 or 11 points.
• Each 2-point roll is worth 1 point.
• Each 3-point roll is worth 2 points.
• Must win by 2 points.
• In the event of a shooting foul, the offensive player throws one free throw for 1 point.
Variations:
One Shot Allowed - Players are allowed 1 dribbling when they gain possession of the ball. This is not a requirement, just an option.
Only bounce passes allowed - Restrict your players to only use bounce passes.
3 teams. The exercise starts by dividing your team into 3 groups of 3 to 5 players. Two teams start defense in each half. The third team is in the middle of the court on offense. The offensive team chooses one side and tries to score the ball without dribbling. Same scoring system as above. After a goal is scored or the possession of the ball is changed, the defensive team receives the ball, attacks in the opposite direction.
The previous offensive team may play defense up to the center line of the court. Play until one team reaches 5 or 11 points.
Tips:
• It's very important to give players instructions on how to set up wide and run smart to get the ball.
• If you need to step in to make adjustments or re-emphasize the most important points of the exercise (distance, snatches), step in but keep it short.
• All passes must be at least 3 feet long. Don't let the players run up and pass the ball from each other's hands.
• Footwork is important in this exercise. Make sure the players are not running and that they are using turns correctly.
• Players must speak and use raised arms when rushing to the basket to receive the ball. 07/23/2018 Today I want to tell you about a few basic exercises, by regularly performing which you can reach the next level, becoming a really good attacking player.
Yes, many articles have already been written about it and many videos have been made.
Yes, we all know a few dozen exercises that promise to make you at least the next Michael Jordan. I will not reinvent the wheel, but will tell you about a series of exercises that just a year ago helped me a lot to improve in the attacking aspects of the game. Let's start the story.
Basketball drills
Mikan Drill
This drill gets its name from the first really big guy in the NBA, George Mikan. Begin to perform the exercise, located on the right side of the basketball basket (a meter and a half from the ring). Take two steps to the left, parallel to the endline, and throw a half hook on the other side of the hoop using your left hand. Without letting the ball fall to the ground, pick it up and take 2 steps to the right (again parallel to the base line) and again throw the ball into the ring with a half hook using your right hand. Try to get into the rhythm and hit 10-20 in a row.
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This exercise will teach you how to attack with a weak hand and turn it into a formidable weapon.
Personally, while doing this exercise, already on the second day I began to complete the passages with my left hand. And after a couple of weeks, the effectiveness of the attacks doubled: now the defender had to hold both sides, and I could always attack with the hand farthest from him.
Superman Drill
This exercise is very similar to the previous one. Position yourself almost on the border of the three-second zone (you always want to call it a “trapeze”, but with the change in the rules of basketball, it has lost its usual shape). We perform a throw on the ring with one single difference: do not try to hit the ring! On the contrary, raise the trajectory higher so that the ball, bouncing off the backboard, falls on the other side of the ring. This is where you need to catch him, not allowing him to fall to the floor. Important: try to take no more than three steps to overcome the distance from one side of the ring to the other. Follow the rhythm: let the entire exercise be performed in the same rhythm.
Do 10 to 20 repetitions of this exercise.
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Beat the Pro
Imagine that you are playing 1 on 1 against your favorite player. You just need to beat him by being the first to score 21 points. Perform game throws (with deviation, after strides, after crossovers and sudden stops). Be clear about your opponent, how he defends against you, how he tries to cover your every throw, how he waits for the slightest mistake in order to intercept. For each roll you make, you get 1 point. For each miss, the opponent receives 2 points. When you reach 20 points (if you haven't lost before) - you need to make a "buzzer beater" and it needs to be scored. How will you do it: with an incredible deflection after a fabulous dribbling or just hitting the ball with 9meters. Try to beat the best players in your imagination. Important: be realistic when playing against Shaquille, it is foolish to push him with your back or try to shoot the ball while in close contact.
Also, it would be wrong to try to overtake Rose or Jordan. In general: adequately evaluate the opponent and try to complicate your life as much as possible.
Shoot the Shot
Do you remember the good old game "Around the World"? Sometimes it is called "Points", but that's not the point. Now we will try to add a hit percentage to this game. Also, we will add a couple of new points to it, the so-called "elbow spot".
In order to advance to the next point, you must make at least 3 out of 5 rolls. Naturally, if the level of your game (and especially your sniping skills) allows you to regularly shoot with a percentage higher than 60%, then increase the number of goals scored to 4 out of 5 from each point. Or up to 5 out of 5 from medium and 4 out of 5 from long range. Total: you have 18 points, 90 throws of which at least 54 must reach the goal. Challenge accepted?
Ball slaps and squeeze
Throw the ball up as if it had bounced off the ring after a bad throw.
Jump up, grab the rebound and squeeze the ball as hard as you can with your hands. Imagine that you had difficulty getting this rebound and now they are trying to knock it out from you. Immediately after the rebound, rotate the ball around the body (at different heights): around the head, back, knees and calves. Repeat this exercise 10-20 times.
Figure 8's - with dribble and without dribble
Eight, the famous eight is back, now with dribbling. Do you remember how Petya Maravich taught us how to handle the ball? So, now we are doing the same thing, but using dribbling. For those who find it difficult to perform such dribbling - try to perform the exercise without it.
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Quick hands
This is a cool exercise that is sure to be performed at every training session for young basketball players. Starting position: one hand in front, the second - behind, the ball is between the legs.
After releasing the ball, you need to change the location of the hands: if the right one was in front and the left one was behind, then now the ball needs to be grabbed with the right one from behind, and the left one in front. Diversify the exercise: both hands in front, the ball between the legs. We release the ball and catch it with our hands, but from behind. Important: regular performance of this exercise will allow you to develop hand speed, which is very important for performing high-quality and fast feints.
How to do it: 30 seconds first option, 30 seconds second option. Write down how many times you managed to do the first time, and then compare with the results after a week.
[youtube]TGh81tj6zbU[/youtube]
Tom-Tom dribble
This movement is also familiar to many of us. Stand with your legs slightly apart so that you can easily transfer the ball between them. We start with the right hand. We transfer the ball in front of us from the right hand to the left; then from the left hand, transfer under the foot to the right hand.-Step-4.jpg/aid8503602-v4-728px-Do-a-Euro-Step-Layup-(Basketball)-Step-4.jpg)
Now with the right hand we transfer the ball behind the back - it turns out to be in the left hand and we send it back (also behind the back) to the right. This is 1 repetition. Repeat 10 times and change hands (i.e. mirror).
Drum dribble
The point is to learn how to quickly and comfortably change the pace of dribbling and its pitch. For example, right after a screen or a run, you may find yourself kicking the ball out from behind (even though you already think your opponent is offside). The most elementary countermeasure is to sharply reduce the height of the dribbling. So, the exercise is that you need to knock the ball on the floor alternately with your right and left hand. Start from a normal static position (legs and back straight) and go down, increasing the intensity of the knocks on the floor. As soon as there is a space between your hands and the floor, a little more than a ball, begin to rise up. Make several series (for example, 5). For advanced players, try this exercise without looking at the ball, or by hitting it with 1 finger of your right hand and 1 finger of your left hand.![]()
