Amanda Knapp
Basketball is a game of skill, both mental and physical. Tricks and techniques are an important part of the game, and can be used to pass defenders, gain access to the basket, or pass to a teammate to score. Dribbling is a foundational skill in basketball that sets the pace of the game and allows players to weave through defenders and create scoring opportunities. Other tricks include the crossover, the Euro step, the layup, the touch pass, and the jump pass. Players can also use speed and misdirection to their advantage, throwing off their defender and creating space to make a play.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dribbling | Use fingertips, not the palm, to bounce the ball off the floor with one hand while maintaining control. Keep the dribble low to the floor and keep your head up to observe the full court. |
| Passing | Touch pass, baseball pass, jump pass, wraparound, behind-the-back crossover, and through-the-legs pass are some advanced passing techniques. |
| Shooting | Layup, jump shot, and slam dunk are some common shooting techniques. |
| Footwork | Practice side-stepping and rebounding techniques. |
| Mental preparation | Adopt a growth mindset, set realistic goals, and celebrate progress. |
| Practice | Create a consistent practice schedule and set SMART goals. |
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What You'll Learn
- Dribbling: use your fingertips, not your palm, and keep the dribble low to the floor
- Passing: try the touch pass, the baseball pass, or the jump pass
- Shooting: practice your layup, the most basic shot in basketball
- Footwork: practice side-stepping and bouncing the ball off a wall
- Advanced moves: try the Euro step, the jump stop, or the pro-hop
Dribbling: use your fingertips, not your palm, and keep the dribble low to the floor
Dribbling is a foundational skill in basketball that sets the pace of the game. It is important for both offensive and defensive play. On the offense, dribbling is used to free yourself from congested areas and drive the ball up the court. In defense, it can be an effective stalling tactic when you're being pressed.
To improve your dribbling skills, it is important to understand the essence of dribbling. Dribbling involves bouncing the ball off the floor with one hand while maintaining control. The non-dribbling arm is used to shield the ball from defenders. When dribbling, it is important to use your fingertips, not your palm. This gives you better control of the ball and helps maintain a consistent dribble. It might feel a bit unnatural at first, but with practice, it will become second nature.
Keep the dribble low to the floor. Players that remain low tend to have better explosion when they go to attack the basket. It is also very difficult for a defender to steal the ball from an offensive player who is keeping the ball low. Use your fingertips to push down and do your best to never let the basketball go above your waist, as it will give your defender a better chance of getting a steal.
Keep your head up to have a good view of the court. No player is going to be successful with their head down, as they will not be able to see what is going on in the game and make the best play for their team.
There are several dribble moves that can be used to beat a defender. The crossover dribble, for example, is one of the easiest basketball moves for a player to perform. It involves bouncing the ball from one hand to the other in front of you. It is used when you want to change direction and you're not being closely guarded by a defender. The in-and-out dribble is a move designed to fool a defender into thinking you're going to perform a standard crossover. 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. The hesitation dribble is another move used 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, or looking up at a teammate. With the defender losing their momentum, you’ll be able to explode past them to the rim.
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Passing: try the touch pass, the baseball pass, or the jump pass
Passing is a crucial aspect of basketball, enabling players to create opportunities and score points. Here are three unique passing techniques to try:
Touch Pass
The touch pass is a type of pass that requires good hand-eye coordination and a delicate touch. It is thrown up and over a defender to an offensive player who is positioned to score. This pass can be tricky to execute, as it requires precise timing and communication between the passer and the receiver. The receiver should be ready to catch the ball in the air, setting up a potential slam dunk.
Baseball Pass
The baseball pass is a flashy and challenging pass to master. It involves using the same overhand motion as an outfielder in baseball, wrapping the ball behind your back and passing it to a teammate. This pass can be effective when you need to get the ball down the court quickly, as it can travel faster than a defender can run. However, it requires a lot of force and precision due to the distance involved. Additionally, the baseball pass leaves the ball in the air for an extended period, giving defenders time to track it.
Jump Pass
The jump pass is an advanced technique where the passer jumps in the air to pass the ball. This pass can be used to create unique scoring opportunities or release defensive pressure. When executed, defenders may anticipate a pass over their heads, so a low pass near their hips or legs can catch them off guard. However, some defenders may recognize this trick and intentionally avoid intercepting the ball, leaving an opportunity for another defender to grab it. Jump passes can also be risky as they provide less control over the ball's trajectory, increasing the chances of a turnover.
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Shooting: practice your layup, the most basic shot in basketball
Layups are considered the easiest and most basic shot in basketball. Since you're moving toward the basket when making a layup, the most important part of a layup to master is the footwork. Learning how to do a layup from both the left and right sides of the basket will increase your ability to score against your opponents.
- Catch the ball, landing on your left foot.
- Step forward with your right foot.
- Jump off with your left foot.
- Drive forward with your right knee.
- Simultaneously, bring the ball up with your right hand.
- Lay it up softly.
- Practice until your muscles remember the movement. The layup will become second nature after you practice it enough.
- Do layups as part of every basketball practice.
- Practice approaching the basket slowly at first, and increase your speed once you've got the footwork down.
- Work on doing layups while you're being defended or off of a long pass.
- Practice the two-contact rule: right-left-jump-backboard shot.
- Add in dribbling to feel more comfortable transitioning from dribbling to shooting.
- Practice with your weaker hand.
- Run layup drills that involve players attacking the hoop from different angles and at different speeds.
- Practice finishing with a swish and off the backboard from all angles and at all speeds.
- Make sure to warm up before practicing layups to get your muscles and joints ready for the strain.
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Footwork: practice side-stepping and bouncing the ball off a wall
Footwork is a fundamental aspect of basketball, and improving yours can be a great way to elevate your game. Practicing side-stepping and bouncing the ball off a wall are two great exercises to improve your footwork and ball control.
Side-stepping
Side-stepping is a great way to improve your defensive footwork. Start with a wide stance, keeping your body weight on the balls of your feet, bending your knees, keeping your back straight, and staying on your toes for quick movements. Then, practice shifting your weight from side to side, taking small steps to the right and left. Keep your knees bent and maintain a low centre of gravity to stay agile and responsive.
Bouncing the ball off a wall
This exercise will help you develop better ball control and improve your hand-eye coordination. Stand a few feet away from a wall and bounce the basketball against it. Focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm and keeping your eyes on the ball at all times. Try varying the speed and force of the bounces to challenge yourself further. This exercise will help you develop a feel for the ball and improve your dribbling skills.
Combining the two
Once you've mastered side-stepping and wall bouncing individually, you can combine the two to create a dynamic drill. Stand a few feet away from the wall, begin bouncing the ball against it, and simultaneously start side-stepping, moving further away from the wall. This drill integrates footwork and ball control, challenging your coordination and ability to perform multiple tasks at once.
Additional tips for improvement
- Practice consistently and regularly to see improvements in your footwork and ball control.
- Work on your endurance by incorporating light runs and wind sprint drills into your routine.
- Study the fundamentals of team basketball play by watching college basketball games and observing how teams move the ball around the court.
- Improve your dribbling skills by focusing on using your fingertips instead of your palm, and keeping the dribble low to the floor.
- Strengthen your core with exercises like planks or sit-ups to help you absorb contact and maintain balance.
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Advanced moves: try the Euro step, the jump stop, or the pro-hop
Advanced Moves
The Euro Step
The Euro Step is an advanced basketball move that can be used to gain an advantage over your defender. It involves a quick change of direction and pace, allowing you to create space and get past your defender. To perform the Euro Step, start by dribbling at your defender, then take a long first step with your outside foot, followed by a short and quick second step with your inside foot. This will give you a burst of speed and change of direction, allowing you to drive past your defender. Keep your head up and maintain a low dribble for better control and to keep an eye on the court.
The Jump Stop
The jump stop is an important footwork technique that can help you maintain balance and control, especially when dribbling at speed. To perform a jump stop, take a small step and then land on both feet simultaneously, ensuring you don't lean forward. This move can be used at the end of a dribble to prevent losing your balance and getting a travelling call. It can also be used when receiving a pass, allowing you to get into a triple-threat position. Practice this move by jogging down the court and executing a jump stop at random intervals or when you hear a whistle.
The Pro-Hop
The pro-hop, also known as the hop step, is a move that requires balance and control. Start by dribbling slowly down the court, paying attention to your footwork and stance. At random intervals or when signalled, combine your footwork with the dribble and execute the hop step. Jump with restraint, ensuring you don't jump too high as this will throw off your balance. Land with both feet simultaneously, keeping your knees bent and your body low. This move gives you the option to pivot in either direction, increasing your mobility on the court. Finish with a pass or a shot to train your reflexes for game-time situations.
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Frequently asked questions
Dribbling is one of the most important skills in basketball, and there are several tricks that can help improve your dribbling. These include:
- Keeping the dribble low to the floor, making it harder for defenders to steal the ball.
- Keeping your head up to maintain awareness of the court.
- Practising with your weaker hand to enable you to move freely in either direction.
- The crossover dribble, which involves bouncing the ball from one hand to the other in front of you, is useful for changing direction.
- The through-the-legs dribble, which is similar to a crossover but involves putting the ball between your legs, protecting it from defenders.
- The behind-the-back dribble, which involves passing the ball behind you, using your whole body to protect it.
- The hesitation dribble, which involves slowing down to trick the defender into thinking you're stopping, before accelerating past them.
Some tricks for passing include:
- The touch pass, which involves redirecting a prior pass or loose ball to another player by tipping or slapping it.
- The baseball pass, which involves throwing the ball with one hand and is used for last-second plays.
- The jump pass, which involves passing while your feet are off the floor, can confuse defenders into thinking you're shooting.
- The wraparound, which involves passing the ball behind your back to one hand and then throwing it forward, is useful when a defender lunges toward one side of your body.
Some tricks for shooting include:
- Practising your jumpshot form to avoid ingrained mistakes.
- Practising shooting from different spots and using alternate hands to create space and avoid blocks.
- Practising slam dunks if you're tall or have sufficient leaping ability.
Some tricks for defence include:
- Practising footwork by bouncing a ball off a wall and side-stepping.
- Not swatting at the ball when reaching for a rebound, but pulling it down to you.
