1. A player should always be aware that his best opportunity to take a jump shot is after receiving the ball because the defense is not yet set.

2. If you want to become a good offensive player, the first thing to work on is your shooting.

3. A good offensive player should posses the ability to score after just two or less dribbles.

4. A good offensive player should not create opportunities for himself, but also for his teammates.

5. A good offensive player focuses on making a shot right after catching the ball.

6. To improve your shooting percentage, you must read the defense and use picks properly to create an open scoring opportunity.

7. A good shooting percentage also depends on how comfortable you are with your stroke and how confident you are.

8. A good shooter catches a pass at the depth of his shot and does not dip the ball.

9. Do you handle the ball well? I now you’ll said yes, but think first! A good ball handler posses a good ball control compensated with quickness.

10. Post players rely on their height and strength to score in the post, but having a great footwork is must though only few posses this skill.

11. Avoid too much dribbling. Be aware that dribbling should only be done if you want to go somewhere, avoid a five second violation, and create scoring opportunities.

12. A team’s pressure defense will be successful if they will caught the opposing team off-guarded and lacks patience.

13. Turnover are sometimes acceptable if and only if the opposing players defended you aggresively.

14. Be choosy with your moves to preserve energy to stay quick and effective.

15. Right after passing the ball, move immediately to create an opening for yourself.

16. A team’s zone defense will work if the opposing team is unsure of their offensive set.

17. To break the zone, attack very aggressive as if you are working against a man-to-man defense.

Attacking the basket is not done by merely running fast towards the basket because there are lots of techniques that should be perfected to be an effective slasher. Even if you are not a good slasher now, a lot of practice and dedication can transform you to one.

There are lots of drills that can be done to improve your driving skill, and one of them is the “Straight Line Driving Drill”.

In this drill, the first thing that you should do is to mark five spots beyond the three-point line, preferably in the two corners, the two wings, and on the center. These spots will be the area in which you’ll receive the ball before attacking the basket.

This drill should be done with a partner, who will serve as the passer and the close-put defender as well. When you receive the pass from your partner, he will immediately try to close out your path to the basket. To escape and have a successful drive, you should go either to the left or right of the defender.

Before slashing you should see to it that you’ll bend your knees (butt down) to get some force and then explode and drive to the basket on an imaginary straight line. You should bounce the ball near the close-out defender and as much as possible, bounce it halfway to the basket (halfway between the spot and the basket). Repeat this drill for 4-6 times per spot and you should explode on alternate direction. Meaning, if you drive on the left of your defender, on the next try you should explode to the right.

After 4-6 tries, transfer to the other spots and repeat the same procedure in all the four other spots,

This drill, if done regularly and properly, can help make a player a dreaded slasher and will be a threat on the offensive end of the floor.

This just proves that Speed and Agility is one of the most essential characteristics that a basketball players should try to improve. There are lots of basketball training drills that can improve a players’ speed and agility.

Speed is the players ability to perform a high-velocity movement while agility is the player’s ability to do explosive steps, change direction and accelerate again.

Yes, some of the speedy players obtained that skills because they have that natural talent since they were born, but if you want to improve your speed and agility, you can work on it by doing some basketball speed and agility training drills.

One of the most common speed training drill is the “Basic Sprint”. This drill will help improve a player’s reaction time, maximum acceleration, and decelaration. The basic sprint drill can be performed by running uphill and downhill repeatedly. Uphill running helps develop the hip’s flexibilty while the downhill sprints improves muscles coordination.

Agility Training Drills should have a high degree of muscle coordination and movement quality. Most sports team uses the Linear training but it’s more of a speed training. One of the most common agility drills is the use of basketball cones. The cones are placed 1 meters apart and a player should weave through those cones as fast as they can.

“Follow the Leader” drill is also a recommended agilty drill. This one is performed in a spacious area and with a training partner. Your partner should run as fast as he can in different directions and your jon is to shadow him. This will improve a player’s reaction and speed endurance.

These speed and agility training drills can definitely improve a player’s skill but the real improvement will be achieve if it will be done properly and wit a lot of dedication.

We can safely say that Basketball Players always look to dunk the ball. But most of the young and budding players doesn’t have the gift of having a high vertical leap. And if you are one of the players who are not capable of dunking, don’t lose hope because someday, you might be able to do so by having a proper training.

Like the seven basketball high school players that will be partipating in the “Can He Dunk?” challenge that was launched by ESPN Rise and Stronger Team. The seven lucky participants are not capable of dunking the ball but they will undergo a 10-week rigorous training program to help them improve their vertical leap.

This project aims to give inspiration to all the young players out there and also to dislodge all the claims of fraud trainers who are offering to improve a players vertical jump in just two weeks. All the seven participating players’ progress will be tracked by having a dunk attemp every two weeks. But the program doesn’t give any guarantee that all or even of them will be able to dunk. It just aims to show real players attaining results from proper trainings.

The seven players will be having different workouts based on their individual weaknesses.

This program will be very helpful to all young players and coaches and trainers as well. The Can He Dunk? Challenge is very informative program that you should never miss.

For young and budding basketball players who are aiming to raise the level of their game, choosing a camp that suits the needs of a player is a very vital part of his or her improvement. Breakthrough Basketball’s Joe Haefner listed some factors on choosing a camp that suits the skill level of player.

The first thing to consider is why you are going to a training camp. Some really aims to improve their skills but there are also players who just want to have fun, play, make new friends, and get exposure.

And if you are planning to attend a basketball camp just for fun and love of the game, you should look for a camp that has a fun atmosphere. But if you are old enough and you just want to notch a higher skill level, you should choose a camp that prioritizes the skill improvement of a player. Camps that will be having video analysis and classroom lessons best suits those kinds of players.

On the other hand, players who just want to gain an exposure to impress basketball coaches, you should think twice if you really have enough skills that will catch the attention of coaches. And if you are confident enough about yourself then go but it is highly recommended to attend skill camps first.

Getting referrals or talking to people who has already attended summer camps is one the best things that can help you in selecting a camp. Ask them about the things that they learned from a certain camp and if they really had an improvement in their game.

Of course, camps of high-profile coaches and players are recommended but it may cost a lot. The most logical choice is to look for more affordable yet very effective camps.

Selecting Basketball Camps needs a lot of analysis. Before making a decision, one must consider a lot of factors and think if the camp could really help them improve.

If you are planning to build a basketball court in your backyard or somewhere else to hone your basketball skills, the first thing that is needed is the basketball hoop that you should use.

For some, choosing or buying a hoop is a simple and easy task because there are lots of stores, both locally and online, that are selling basketball equipments. But everyone should know that there are things that should be considered selecting that equipment to have a quality court.

First thing that everyone should know is that there are three types of Basketball Hoops. The first one is the ground type of basketball hoops. This type of equipment is cemented into the ground and this is the most logical choice because it is very stable. But if you are planning to move the hope from time to time, then you should select the Portable type in which the backboard is attached to a base that can roll anywhere. The last one is the mounted type this is for those who want to install the hoop on a wall.

If you are planning to choose either the ground type of the portable type, the type of pole should also be considered. This is extremely relevant because the stability of the backboard depends on it. The size of the pole varies from three to six inches and it’s better to choose a larger pole. You can also select from one-piece or three-piece pole but the single pole is safer.

Choosing the type of basketball hoop is just one of the many things that should be considered but if you want to start on the right foot, and then select the most logical option. Everyone should also consider what brand of basketball hoop because it is also one of the essential factors in selecting the best equipment.

Ray Allen is one of the best three-point shooters to have ever played in the NBA and he was the Three-Point Shootout Champion in the 2001 All-Star Weekend.

Having proper balance while shooting, is one of the factors in having a great shooting percentage. For an accurate shooting percentage, the shooter should go up and straight down. And Ray Allen has one of the best shooting forms not only in the NBA but in the whole world.

Allen has been a sharpshooter throughout his NBA career. Whether the shot is an open or a crucial one, it’s almost expected that it will go in. This talent has been honed through hard work and spending a lot of hours in practicing it.

Dave Hopla was one of the persons that can be credited with Allen’s shooting prowess. When Allen was still playing for the University of Connecticut, he joined forces with Hopla, who is tagged as a master in teaching shot technique.

“He has perfect form—the best-looking shot in the NBA. He can shoot the three-ball; he can shoot off the bounce; he has a midrange game; and he can even post up. Every time he shoots, he truly believes it is going in.” Hopla said about his prized ward.

Although he was responsible in honing the lethal stroke of Allen, Hopla said that Allen has unique qualities in putting the ball in the basket. He added that the Boston Celtics Shooting guard has an amazing focus when shooting the ball, which is a vital factor of having a great shooting percentage.

“When I first met him, I noticed right away that he looked me right in the eye—his gaze didn’t wander. His eyes are always zeroed in on what you’re doing and telling him.” Hopla said.

Ray Allen’s shooting prowess gave him a lot of success in his career. He averaged more than 20 points per game in eight consecutive seasons in the league and holds the record of having the single-season three point conversions (269 made shots in a season).

Ray Allen’s shooting form and focus is a best example for players who want to improve their shooting. But a lot of dedication and hard work is also needed and as the saying goes, “Practice makes perfect”.

The 7-foot-7 Bol was the tallest player to have ever played in the National Basketball Association and played for ten seasons from 1985-1994 with the Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Miami Heat.

During his 10-year NBA Career, the Sudanese Giant averaged 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. He led the NBA in blocks when he averaged 5.0 blocks a game for Washington in the 1985-1986 and 4.3 blocks per game with the Golden State Warriors in the 1988-1989 Season.

Bol, who died at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville because of severe kidney trouble, was not an ordinary basketball player; he has also dedicated his life in humanitarian works in the cities he played on and in Africa.

He played three seasons with the Washington Wizards and the organization tagged him as a true humanitarian worker and ambassador of Basketball.

The current President and General Manager of the Philadelphia 76ers Ed Stefanski lauded the impact of Manute Bol in their franchise and his works cannot be put into words.

“He … was continually giving of himself through his generosity and humanitarian efforts in order to make the world around him a much better place, for which he will always be remembered.” Stefanski said.

He also dedicated his life in doing charity works and was actually a board member of the Sudan Sunrise. He can also be remembered in protecting and defending his countrymen. He even accepted embarrassing such as appearing in celebrity boxing matches just to raise funds for his homeland.

“I don’t work for money. I work to save people. I can always make more money, but you can’t bring back those that are gone.” He once said in 2006.

“Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us,” said Tom Pritchard, who is the Executive Director of Sudan Sunrise.

His former teammate Charles Barkley will always remember Bol as a good guy in and outside the court. He also said that everyone feels sorry for him when he was still playing because he’s very awkward with his size but he said that if everyone in the world was a Manute Bol, it’s a world he’d want to live in.

Despite a lot of accomplishments and accolades inside the court, Bol will always be remembered for his tireless works and efforts for his country and all the cities he played in.

“I hope they remember me as a good guy who played hard. I wasn’t Michael Jordan, but I was somebody called Manute Bol.” Manute Bol said.

John Wooden, who died at the age of 99, was considered as one of the greatest coaches in history of any sports not only because of his achievement, but also with the lessons he etched in the hearts of his former players.

The legendary coach, who was born on October 4, 1910, has a lot of success during his tenure with the UCLA Bruins. He recorded an amazing feat by winning ten NCAA National Championships in his 12-year stint with the Bruins. During that period, the man known as the “Wizard of Westwood” guided his team to an 88-game winning run, which was one of the most remarkable achievements in World Basketball History.

His incredible feat with UCLA is still unmatched by any other coach in history. Unsurprisingly, he was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1961 and as a coach in 1973 to become the first ever person to be awarded in both categories. The former Navy man was also awarded by former President George W. Bush in 2003 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest Civilian Honor in the USA.

Wooden molded a lot of players that had a lot of success in their careers. One of them is Lew Alcindor who latter changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar but Wooden still calls him as “Lewis”. The Wooden-Jabbar tandem produced three NCAA titles for UCLA and has only dropped two games during Kareem’s three-year stint with the Bruins.

Jabbar expressed his admiration and said that Wooden is not a coach to them; he’s like a father to all of his players. He also said that the legendary coach is a complex man but they taught them in a simple way.

During his coaching days, Wooden always stressed the importance of playing as a team. In his years with the Bruins, they played as as if they are a family which led to a lot of success for them.

One of the notable philosophy of Wooden is his “Pyramid of Success” which teaches ways on winning in basketball and in life. In this work, he said that success is in the apex of the pyramid and hard work should be done to achieve that.

“The cornerstones of success to me, in anything are hard work and enjoy what you’re doing. So one cornerstone is industriousness and the other is enthusiasm,” said John Wooden in his work.

For Wooden, success is the peace of mind resulted from knowing that you did your best to become what a person is capable of becoming.

This kind of Philosophy in Basketball in Life will be more remembered than his achievements because without it, Wooden and his players like Jabbar, Bill Walton, and Gail Goodrich will not be achieving all the success that they are enjoying.

John Wooden, a man of knowledge and a great teacher, will be forever remembered for all his contributions in the game of basketball and will be an inspiration to all the coaches and players around the World.

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