Elite basketball training involves intense workouts and drills that improve all aspects of your game. Although elite basketball players already know the fundamentals of the game, they still work on minute details to ensure that their form is perfect. It is important for you to work out during and after the regular season to stay well-conditioned. While off-season workouts tend to focus on strength training and building up endurance for the upcoming season, regular season drills and workouts focus on improving precision and refining your skills.
Types
The details of elite basketball training depend on whether you are a center, power forward or guard because each position requires specific skills. If you play point guard, your training should focus on developing quickness, and passing and dribbling ability. If you play shooting guard or small forward, your training will focus on interior and exterior shooting as well as all-around defense. According to the website Coaches Clipboard, court awareness and knowing where the ball is at all times is one of the keys to being an effective basketball player.
Figure 8 Dribbling Drill
Stand at center court with a basketball in your scoring hand. Start dribbling the ball slowly between your legs. As the ball passes through your legs, switch dribbling hands and dribble the ball around either your left or right leg. Repeat this exercise, increasing speed and accuracy as you continue the drill. The website Basketball Drills and Plays recommends using the tips of your fingers to dribble the ball and keeping the ball low to the ground.
Pass and Catch Ball Handling Drill
Start this drill by holding a basketball with two hands at chest level. Try to bounce the ball between your legs and catch it with your hands behind your back. Pass the ball back through your legs and catch it in front of you. Increase speed as you get more comfortable with the drill. This drill helps with ball awareness as well as your ability to catch and receive a quick pass.
Perimeter Jump Shot Drill
You will need three players to perform this drill correctly. Have one player inbound the ball to you while another plays defense. You will not be allowed to dribble during this drill and you must immediately shoot the ball after catching the pass. While many novice basketball players try to get open with excessive dribbling, this drill forces you to work on evading your defender before receiving the ball. If you cannot shake your defender, chances are you will have a more difficult shot.
Footwork Drill
Elite players need to have perfect footwork if they are looking to outperform other top basketball players. From the elbow of the basketball court, sprint to the baseline. Perform a defensive slide down the baseline until you reach the other side of the foul line. Backpedal up the foul line and defensive slide across the foul line until you have returned to your original position. Repeat this drill until fatigued.
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