Basketball: Fit Five Things on an Index Card

Less is more. Players can't and won't remember long lists. Imagine five MUSTS on an index card. 

 

The best players make their teammates better. What is your 'varsity skill' that gets and keeps you on the floor? 

Possession enders find "stops and scores." Those translate into Pete Newell's "more and better shots" than opponents. Rebounds maintain or end possessions. Bad shots and turnovers invert the concept. 

Excellent team defense earns hard twos, shots contested without fouling and cleaned up with defensive rebounds. Hard twos arise with ball containment and preventing penetration. 

Great shots arise through maintaining spacing, player and ball movement as "the ball has energy." On good teams, the ball is the smartest thing on the court as it finds the best scorers in their spots. When players stand and the ball stops, poor shots follow. 

Toughness wins rebounds, loose balls, and helps teams maintain leads and overcome deficits. Toughness means physical and mental and is a skill that players and teams can learn. 

Lagniappe. In boxing they say, "stick and move." Learn to drive, kick, and move.  

Key to to success at a high level 👀👇

Passing and then moving or just moving in general without the ball is going to get you easier shot opportunities. The defense is going to watch the ball, you are reading the defense and making high IQ plays.#HoopStudy #ballislife #hoops pic.twitter.com/1p69j600jR

— HoopStudy (@hoopstudy) May 2, 2024

Lagniappe 2. "Zero second decision-making."  

Zero Second Decision Making

🔹 Shoot It
🔹 Pass It
🔹 Drive It

When the ball sticks, the defense is able to recover, and we lose the advantage we created.

Keep pressure on the defense. pic.twitter.com/uQ2UyKxyc2

— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) May 2, 2024

Lagniappe 3. Mr. Energy, Ganon Baker shows how to create space with pivoting. 

Championship players / Championship Teams all can Pass

All have low TO’s high assists

Here are some good two man passing drills you can do in your Workouts:

1. Side Jab / cross
2. Reverse Pivot (Kobe Pivot)
3. Shot fake / drop Step pic.twitter.com/eUcLOktD4G

— Ganon Baker (@GanonBaker) May 2, 2024