Andrew Pace
Driving left in basketball is an important skill to develop as most players have one hand that is stronger than the other. By improving your left-hand drive, you can become an asset to your team, creating more scoring opportunities and making it difficult for opponents to guard you. To improve your left-hand drive, you need to put in the work and gain confidence in your weak hand. This can be achieved through various drills, such as Left Hand Low Pound and Left Hand Speed Dribble, which can be practiced both at the gym and at home. Additionally, increasing the number of reps with your left hand during ball-handling drills can help equalize your hand skills.
Characteristics of driving left in basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Develop confidence in using your left hand by putting in the work |
| Drills | Increase the number of reps with your left hand during ball-handling drills |
| Dribbling | Focus on hard, quick dribbles with your left hand |
| Scrimmages | Implement your action plan for your left hand during scrimmages and pick-up games |
| Scoring Opportunities | Being able to drive left will give you more scoring opportunities |
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What You'll Learn
Increase left-hand reps in ball-handling drills
Driving left in basketball is a valuable skill to have in your arsenal. It is important to increase your left-hand reps in ball-handling drills to improve your overall game and become an elite ball handler with both hands. Here are some ways to do that:
Left-Hand Kills: Pound the basketball high and hard, and then, after 5 seconds, pound it as low as you can (almost killing your dribble), and gradually bring it back up. Repeat this for 5 reps.
Left-Hand Side to Side: Keep the ball on the left side of your body and push and pull it at your side, low and fast, for 20 seconds.
Left-Hand Windshield Wipers: Put the ball out in front of you and go back and forth from left to right, low and hard, for 20 seconds.
Left-Hand Speed Dribble: Speed dribble as fast as you can to the opposite baseline. Do this drill full court and back three times with short rests between reps.
Wall Passing: Stand 5 feet from a wall, with your left side pointed at it. Dribble twice and pass the ball to the wall with your left hand only. Catch the ball with the same hand as it bounces back, and repeat the process 5 times.
Additionally, you can do all left-handed stationary and on-the-move ball handling, scoring moves with left-hand dribbling, and pull-up jumpers to the left. You can also incorporate your left hand into everyday activities like opening doors, brushing your teeth, or eating to strengthen neural connections in your brain.
Remember to keep your eyes up during the drills and look around as you use your left hand. Don't be discouraged if you lose the ball; it's all part of the learning process!
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Implement weak-hand improvement plans in scrimmages and games
To implement weak-hand improvement plans in scrimmages and games, it is crucial to put in the work and gain confidence in your non-dominant hand. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
Firstly, understand that developing your weak hand will make you a more versatile player. Great players are proficient with both hands, allowing them to attack both ways off the dribble and become an asset to their team. This versatility will make it harder for defenders to guess your moves and guard you effectively. Recognizing the benefits will motivate you to improve your weak hand.
Secondly, dedicate extra time to improving your weak hand. Make a conscious decision to go to the gym an additional day each week and make that your left-hand day. During this time, challenge yourself to do everything with your left hand, including dribbling and passing drills. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become with your non-dominant hand.
Additionally, incorporate specific drills into your workouts. For dribbling improvement, focus on hard, quick dribbles with your left hand, ensuring your elbows are behind the ball and your head is up. You can also try dribbling with two balls simultaneously to improve coordination and ball handling. As for passing, find a partner and stand ten feet apart. Put your dominant hand behind your back and pass and receive solely with your weak hand. Gradually increase the speed and aim for twenty passes per set.
Finally, implement your weak-hand improvement plan into scrimmages, pick-up games, and practices. This is essential for achieving your goal of eliminating your weak hand and becoming equally strong with both hands. Remember, the tighter the game, the more natural it will be to rely on your dominant hand. However, by consistently applying your weak-hand improvement strategies in scrimmages and games, you will develop the confidence to use your non-dominant hand effectively during competitive play.
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Walk to the opposite baseline with a low, hard pound of the ball in your left hand
Improving your left-hand dribbling skills in basketball can make you a more versatile player. To perform the "Left Hand Low Pound" drill, walk to the opposite baseline with a low, hard pound of the ball in your left hand. This is a great way to improve your ball handling with your weak hand.
If you are right-handed, it is important to put in the work to improve your left-hand skills. Most players have a dominant hand that they are comfortable using in games, but good defences will take that away and force you to use your weak hand. By spending time on your left-hand skills, you can become a more well-rounded player and increase your scoring opportunities.
There are several other drills you can do to improve your left-hand dribbling. For example, the "Left Hand Hesitation" drill involves taking two dribbles forward, performing a hesitation with your left hand, and then exploding forward. Repeat this until you get to the opposite baseline. You can also try the "Left Hand In and Out" drill, where you take two dribbles forward and perform an in-and-out move with your left hand, repeating until you reach the opposite baseline.
In addition to these drills, you can also work on your left-hand ball handling in everyday life. Try using your left hand for everyday tasks such as opening doors, brushing your teeth, or eating. This will help strengthen the neural connections in your brain and improve your left-hand dexterity.
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Speed dribble as fast as you can to the opposite baseline
Speed dribbling is a valuable skill to have on the basketball court. It allows you to get to the rim faster, create separation from defenders, and elevate your overall game. To speed dribble as fast as you can to the opposite baseline, there are several techniques and principles to keep in mind.
Firstly, keep the ball close to the floor and your body. This low, controlled dribble allows for quicker and more explosive movements. Focus on dribbling the ball no higher than your waist and keep it tight to your frame. Take short, quick steps instead of long strides. This rapid footwork will enable you to change directions and accelerate instantly.
It is important to keep your head up and eyes scanning the floor while speed dribbling. This allows you to see the entire court and make split-second decisions. Avoid staring at the ball, as it will slow your reactions and make your moves more predictable. Additionally, be mindful not to grip the ball too tightly, as this can hinder your speed and control.
Advanced techniques such as the crossover and behind-the-back moves can help you change direction quickly and mess with defenders. The between-the-legs dribble is another effective move to lose a defender and create space. However, these advanced moves require excellent ball control, so be sure to master the fundamentals first.
Practicing speed dribbling drills can help you improve your skills. Set up a series of cones in a ladder formation and dribble through them quickly, taking short, choppy steps and keeping the ball low. Focus on changing directions at each cone. This drill can be practiced competitively with another player.
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Keep your eyes up and look around during drills
Keeping your eyes up and maintaining awareness of your surroundings is crucial during basketball drills. This is especially important when guarding an opponent. While it may be instinctual to focus on the ball, experienced players recommend looking at the opponent's hips, shoulders, or the back of their neck. This way, you can anticipate their movements and avoid falling for head and arm fakes. Peripheral vision also comes into play, allowing you to keep track of both your opponent and the ball.
Drills are an excellent opportunity to improve your hand-eye coordination, a vital skill in basketball. These exercises help you develop your vision response, range of motion, and flexibility. For example, in the Argentine Passing Drill, players must pass and receive the ball without letting it touch the ground. This trains players to focus on the ball's movement and improve their catching and passing skills.
Another drill to improve hand-eye coordination is the Diamond Shell drill, which focuses on defence. This drill teaches players how to position themselves effectively, shade the post to prevent post feeds, and double-team the post when necessary. It also helps players understand how to recover the basketball and close out to their help spots.
Additionally, there are basic hand-eye coordination drills where you throw the ball above your head and catch it after it bounces off the floor. You can also try tossing and catching the ball around your leg, body, or head. These drills improve your speed and agility while reinforcing the importance of keeping your head and eyes up to track the ball's movement.
During drills and gameplay, it's essential to scan the court and be aware of your teammates' and opponents' positions. This allows you to make quick decisions, execute effective strategies, and improve your overall performance on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to improve is to put in the work and develop your weak hand. You should be doing drills with your left hand regularly, and consistently doing more reps with your weak hand than your strong hand.
If a drill calls for 10 reps with each hand, try doing 15 with your weak hand. This will help you improve faster.
One drill you can do is Left Hand Low Pound, where you walk to the opposite baseline while pounding the ball in your left hand. Another is Left Hand Speed Dribble, where you speed dribble as fast as you can to the opposite baseline.
You can do these drills at home, and you don't need to be at the gym. Try doing them twice a day, every day, and take short rests between reps.
If you can dribble with both hands, you will be an instant asset to your team. You will be able to handle the ball better, which means more scoring opportunities and you will be on the floor at the end of the game.
