Helena Frye
Driving in basketball is a crucial skill to master, but it can be intimidating for some players. Fear of injury, lack of confidence, and uncertainty about techniques can hold players back from driving effectively. However, with the right mindset and practice, these fears can be overcome. Players can improve their driving skills by focusing on specific techniques, such as maintaining proximity to the defender, power layups, and protecting themselves from injury during contact. Additionally, building confidence through repetitive practice and strength training can help players overcome their fear and improve their driving ability.
How to not be afraid to drive in basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Build confidence through repetition and practice |
| Strength | Improve physical strength to fight through contact |
| Passing | Develop passing skills to adapt when faced with help defenders |
| Technique | Learn and practice techniques like power layups and baby hook shots |
| Mindset | Focus on the task at hand and avoid overthinking or doubting yourself |
| Landing | Learn to land with two feet and protect yourself during contact |
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What You'll Learn
- Practice finishing strong, high, low, on the opposite side, and with the opposite hand
- Get in the weight room and build strength to fight through contact
- Learn to land properly with two feet to protect yourself
- Drive close to your defender and brush past them
- Don't overthink it—have a plan before you receive the ball, then execute
Practice finishing strong, high, low, on the opposite side, and with the opposite hand
Basketball players and coaches should pay attention to how players finish with their left hand. Finishing with the left hand will feel more natural after many repetitions. This is important because solid defenders will cut off a player’s strong hand. Only by practicing with the opposite hand will players develop the muscle memory to score with their "weak" hand.
One drill to practice finishing with the opposite hand is the Veer Reverse. In this drill, the player starts with a ball at the elbow. They take one dribble with the right hand, bring the ball to the left, extend the ball in front of the body, and finish with a left-hand layup. This is not a crossover dribble. The player should do this five times. Then, they should start in a triple-threat position and attack with a straight-line dribble, shifting the ball to the left while veering away from an imaginary defender on the right. They should finish with a left-handed layup and do this five times.
Another drill to improve finishing with the opposite hand is Partner Passing. In this drill, the court is divided into four quadrants, and the shooter must make 10 shots from each area with a partner rebounding and passing. This drill helps shooters hustle after their own shots as the partner sprints to a perimeter shooting spot.
In addition to practicing with the opposite hand, players should also focus on finishing strong, high, and low. This can be achieved through drills that practice gripping the basketball and using each of the hands to become a great shooter. For example, players can work on getting their middle finger under the center of the ball at the release, which will make the ball go straight up in the air. They can also practice rotating their hand under the ball so that their middle finger is under the center of the ball, with more hand on the left side, and finish pushing the ball to the right. This small rotation can be minimized or eliminated from the shooting motion through layered drills.
Additionally, players can practice pivoting, which is rotating the body while keeping one foot in place on the floor. Most of the player's balance should be on the pivot foot, with the heel slightly raised. Pivoting can be used to quickly change direction or orientation to the basket, with or without the ball.
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Get in the weight room and build strength to fight through contact
Weight training is an important aspect of basketball, helping players to become stronger and more athletic on the court. It can help players improve their balance, explosiveness, quickness, and confidence, making them better defenders, rebounders, and finishers.
When it comes to weight training for basketball, it's important to focus on the basics first. Many weight training programs tend to jump straight into advanced exercises like plyometrics, agility, power, and speed work. While these are important, it's crucial to first address coordination, movement efficiency, and muscle imbalances to prevent injuries and build a solid foundation.
Posture is an important aspect of movement efficiency. Bad posture is prevalent in today's society due to habits like sitting hunched over or looking down at phone screens. Basketball players can counteract this through their weight workouts, focusing on fundamental movement exercises and paying attention to their posture during those exercises. For example, ensuring that the shoulders, knees, and toes are in alignment during bodyweight squat exercises.
Core strength is another fundamental aspect of weight training for basketball players. A strong core helps players improve their balance, make more aggressive pivots, and generate explosiveness. Core exercises like the High Plank Knee to Elbow can help protect the lower back and build a strong foundation for more dynamic basketball movements.
Additionally, exercises like the reverse row can help build strength in the upper back, shoulders, and arms, which can translate to rebounding and finishing around the rim when there is contact. The shoulder press is another exercise that helps with finishing through contact, allowing players to power through fouls and get the basket while drawing the foul.
In conclusion, getting in the weight room and building strength through focused and well-structured workouts can help basketball players fight through contact and improve their overall performance on the court.
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Learn to land properly with two feet to protect yourself
Landing on both feet is an important skill to master in basketball, as it helps you avoid injuries and maintain control of the ball. Here are some tips to help you learn to land properly with two feet to protect yourself:
First, it is important to understand the jump stop technique. This technique is used to avoid travelling violations and maintain control of the ball. To perform a jump stop, jump off both feet and land simultaneously, allowing you to establish your pivot foot and avoid taking extra steps. Practising this technique will help you feel more comfortable and controlled when landing on two feet.
Next, work on improving your overall footwork skills. Good footwork is essential in basketball, and it will help you feel more confident and in control when landing. Incorporate footwork drills into your practice routine to improve your agility and balance. Jumping rope is a great exercise to improve your footwork and get used to jumping and landing with both legs.
When landing, try to maintain a balanced posture with a bent knee. Avoid landing with a straight leg or on your heel, as this can cause your leg to absorb more impact and increase the risk of injury. Instead, aim for a soft landing, using your toes and the balls of your feet to absorb the impact.
Finally, remember that landing on two feet is not always possible, especially when driving for a defended layup. In these situations, try to shuffle your feet after landing to maintain your balance and stay light on your feet. Practising different scenarios and techniques will help you feel more prepared and confident in any situation.
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Drive close to your defender and brush past them
Driving close to your defender and brushing past them is an essential skill in basketball. Here are some tips to help you master this technique and overcome any fear of driving:
Firstly, understand the importance of angles. Driving directly at or just past the defender's outside foot forces them to open their hips and concede the direct line to the basket. This technique puts the defender on the back foot and creates an opportunity for you to attack. Mix up your angles to keep the defender guessing and prevent them from settling into a comfortable defensive position.
Next, work on your dribbling skills. A well-timed dribble move, such as the "stop-and-go" dribble, can throw your defender off balance. Vary the speed of your dribble, lulling them with a slow rhythm before suddenly accelerating with a quick move. Keep them guessing by mixing up your speed and direction. Use quick dribbles, fake-outs, and sharp cuts to create space and leave your defender behind.
In addition to dribbling, develop your footwork. Drills like pivot-and-go and drop-step drives will help you build the footwork and power needed for explosive moves. Use your body effectively to create advantages and protect the ball. Get low to gain a strength advantage and stay on your toes to react quickly to the defender's moves. Watch their waist to anticipate their next move and always try to stay between them and the basket.
Finally, don't be afraid to mix up your starting position. Avoid becoming predictable by always starting from the same spots on the floor. Start your drive from an upright, relaxed stance or with your back to the basket. Defenders will be less expecting an explosive move from these positions, giving you an element of surprise. The key is to keep them guessing and not fall into positional patterns.
Remember, mastering these techniques takes time and practice. Focus on developing good habits and making comfortable decisions on the court, and you'll soon find yourself driving with confidence and brushing past defenders with ease.
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Don't overthink it—have a plan before you receive the ball, then execute
When it comes to basketball, overthinking can be a hindrance to your performance. To overcome the fear of driving to the basket, it is essential to have a clear plan before receiving the ball and then execute it with confidence. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
Have a game plan: Before you even receive the ball, know what you intend to do with it. Visualize your next steps, whether it's driving to the basket, passing to a teammate, or taking a shot. Having a clear idea of your next move will reduce hesitation and build confidence.
Practice, practice, practice: Put in the work during practice sessions. Drill those moves until they become second nature. Practice driving to the basket from different angles, work on your dribbling skills to protect the ball, and improve your finishing techniques. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll feel when executing these moves in a game.
Master the fundamentals: Ensure your fundamentals are solid. Learn to land properly with two feet, protecting yourself from injury and contact. Practice different types of layups, such as power layups and baby hook shots. The better your fundamentals, the more confident you'll feel when executing your moves.
Don't fear contact: Understand that contact is part of the game. Get comfortable with being close to defenders and brushing past them. Strength training can help you develop the physicality needed to fight through contact. Remember, you can also use pump fakes to create space and avoid heavy contact.
Keep it simple: Sometimes, less is more. If you're afraid of driving, stick to the basics and execute them well. Take long strides when dribbling to reduce the risk of losing the ball, and focus on making strong, decisive moves. As you gain confidence, you can start incorporating more advanced techniques into your game.
Believe in yourself: Self-belief is crucial. Doubt and hesitation can lead to missed opportunities. Think like the players you admire—they don't second-guess themselves. When you receive the ball, the last thought in your mind should be "GO." This mindset shift can help you overcome fear and drive with determination.
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Frequently asked questions
Practice is key. The more you practice, the more confident you will become. It's also important to learn how to land properly, with two feet, and protect yourself through contact.
One technique is to drive very close to your defender and brush past them. Most people start their drive too far away. You can also try the hard drive -> pump fake -> soft lay—you won't jump high, and contact won't bother you as much.
Think like a confident player. If you want to play like Westbrook, think like Westbrook—he never doubts himself when he drives to the basket. When you stop thinking and just do, you'll find yourself performing much better.
