Basketball Coaching Blog

Slow to Fast Crossover Between the Legs Basketball Dribbling Drill

Posted by: In: Stationary One Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills 0 comments

The best time to attack a defender off of the dribble is when they are not expecting it. Too many players though look to attack off of the dribble when their defender is fully engaged and ready to play defense.

This ball handling drill is going to work on setting up the defender with a slow move to get them to relax, before crushing them with an explosive full speed counter move. If you are able to master this change of speed as a ball handler you will become very hard to guard off of the dribble.

Drill Overview

Drill Name: Slow to Fast Crossover Between the Legs Basketball Dribbling Drill

Equipment Needed: 1 basketball.

Similar Drills and Resources

Goals of the Drill

Work on ball handling and being able to change from slow to fast.

Coaching Points

The biggest key to this drill is to really lock in on being able to change up your speeds.
You want to sell to the defender that you are just casually handling the ball and running offense, and then as soon as you see them relax on defense, you crush them with the counter move.
Really try to visualize that as you are doing this drill.

Drill Instructions

The player will start with the basketball in either hand.
They will begin to take a couple of stationary dribbles.
Using about quarter speed they will make a crossover dribble move.
As the ball comes into their other hand they are going to snap the ball back between their legs as quickly as they can.
The player will take a couple more stationary dribbles and then repeat.
Continue this pattern for the desired amount of time and then switch hands and repeat.

Slow to Fast Between the Legs Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill

Posted by: In: Stationary One Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills 0 comments

If you look at a player like Jamal Crawford you can really understand the value of being able to change up speeds as a ball handler. It isn't that he is that much faster than everyone else, it is his ability to sell his moves and change up his speeds that makes him such a hard player to guard one on one off the dribble.

This dribbling drill is going to work primarily on these two areas. You will be able to work on selling the between the legs crossover dribble move, but also the change of speed that really sets up the defender. This is a great drill to use to warm up before a workout or to do on your own to develop your ball handling.

Drill Overview

Drill Name: Slow to Fast Between the Legs Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill

Equipment Needed: 1 basketball.

Similar Drills and Resources

Goals of the Drill

Work on ball handling and being able to change from slow to fast.

Coaching Points

Really lock in on selling the move with your eyes, body position, the ball, and your change of speed.
The goal is to get the defender to relax on the first move, and then crush them with the counter move.

Drill Instructions

The player is going to start dribbling the basketball with their right hand.
They will take a couple of stationary dribbles before executing a quarter speed between the legs move.
As soon as the ball touches the players left hand they are going to cross it back over in front as fast as they can.
The player will take a couple of stationary dribbles and then repeat the move.
Continue this for the desired amount of time and then switch hands and repeat.

Slow to Fast Between the Legs Behind the Back Basketball Dribbling Drill

Posted by: In: Stationary One Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills 0 comments

Once you get to a certain level of competition everyone is playing at the same speed. Both the offensive and defensive player are usually pretty evenly matched. What allows the offensive player to get separation with the dribble though is being able to sell a move and then also being able to change quickly between different speeds. The better a ball handler can do this, the more they will be able to keep the defender off balance.

This ball handling drill is going to work on one selling the between the legs behind the back dribbling drill, but then also being able to go from slow to fast to blow by the defender.

Drill Overview

Drill Name: Slow to Fast Between the Legs Behind the Back Basketball Dribbling Drill

Equipment Needed: 1 basketball.

Similar Drills and Resources

Goals of the Drill

Work on ball handling and being able to change from slow to fast.

Coaching Points

Keep your eyes up the whole time doing the drill and use your eyes to help sell the move.
Stay in a low an athletic stance and really look to change up your speeds when you make your move.

Drill Instructions

The player is going to start dribbling the basketball with their right hand.
They will take a couple of stationary dribbles before executing a quarter speed between the legs move.
As soon as the ball touches their left hand though they are going to snap it back as fast as they can behind their back.
The player will take a couple of stationary dribbles and then repeat the move.
Continue this for the desired amount of time and then switch hands and repeat.

Becoming a Head Coach in Basketball

Posted by: In: General Basketball Coaching Articles 4 comments

This article was written by Morehead State head coach Preston Spradlin.

Becoming a head coach, in many ways, can be an overwhelming experience. Many obligations are immediately thrown at you. Several of these you have prepared for throughout your career, but there are others that you may not have known even existed. Everyone that you encounter wants more and more of your time. The first two or three weeks are incredibly challenging. There will be more on your to-do list than anyone could ever imagine getting accomplished.

More so than any other time in your career, your priorities are tested. It is crucial to decide where you are going to put your focus, but you also must choose which tasks are not as important that you can pass along to other members of your staff. Do not spread yourself so thin that nothing gets accomplished to the high standards you are trying to establish as a new head coach.

As a new head coach, you need a plan. You cannot wait until you are hired to make decisions about priorities. Your mind will be going in a million different directions, and it will be impossible to get an accurate portrayal of what needs to get done most. Map it out.

The decisions of what you need to do, what your staff needs to accomplish, and in what time frame everything needs to be finished must be made ahead of the fact. Adjustments will have to be made on the fly as unanticipated scenarios arise. Your plan will not cover everything, but it will give you a set of appropriate priorities when times are hectic.

Focus on people and building relationships with them. There will be time later to worry about what schemes you plan to install and what renovations need to be done to the facilities. If the right people are not in and around your program, you will not be successful.

People must be your first priority. Starting with the most important individuals in your program, your players, all the way to your fan base and supporters, address their needs first. Build the foundation of your program with the right people, and it will give you the ability to be successful in the future.

Players

My first objective upon being named the head coach was engaging the current players. Our program is built to serve our players, and their well being is our top priority. It was imperative that I met with them individually and eased any concerns or answered any questions. We needed to discuss the future of our program and how they would fit into those plans. They deserved honest answers even if it may not have been the answer they were hoping for.

They needed to hear that they were wanted and essential to our team and our program and that I was dedicated to their dreams. The prior relationships I had built with them, whether they were players I had recruited or not, were instrumental in this process. How they saw me as an assistant coach would only be magnified as I stepped into the full-time role of head coach.

Additionally, I wanted to reach out to the families and other influential individuals in the returning players' lives. It is a serious task to coach someone’s son, and we approach it with the utmost diligence. I needed to ensure each family that their son would be taken care of and looked out for.

We are going to push their sons to achieve their highest goals, but we're going to love and respect them throughout the process. We are dedicated to creating a culture and an atmosphere that embraces family, so we want each of these individuals to feel they are a part of it.

Recruiting

Recruiting had to start immediately. It is the lifeblood of the program, and we were already behind. My first goal was to keep a commitment with a young man that was previously signed. He was precisely the kind of player that we wanted to build our program with and he and his family needed to know they were our top priority. Again, we were trying to secure our base before we moved outward.

Before we moved forward in recruiting, it was crucial that we recognized the type of players we wanted to build our program around. While you must be able to adjust your style of play to your personnel in your first couple of years, we needed to make difficult decisions about how we wanted to play and what kind of personnel we needed to do so. It is impossible to recruit effectively and efficiently if you do not have a clear concept of what you want.

We also needed to build a clear vision for our future. We wanted to develop consistency in our communication with recruits and their families so that they knew our plan to take Morehead State to a championship level. Everybody claims they are going to win championships, but we wanted to be deliberate in explaining how we are going to get there. We wanted to offer a complete picture of what recruits could expect of their experience here and demonstrate to them exactly why they fit our plans and how we intend to use their skill set. We had to outwork every staff in the country and turn over every stone in finding any and every available player. There was no excuse to not to do the most meticulous, detailed and persistent job possible.

Coaching Staff

One assistant coach and a graduate assistant were returning to my staff, but I needed to get the rest of the staff in place as quickly as possible. We wanted to move swiftly, but the focus was on making the correct hires. There were several guys I had in mind so I had to quickly gauge their interest and speak with them about what they could bring to our basketball program. It was vital for me to rely on relationships from my past to fill my staff with the right individuals.

While I did not know exactly who I was going to hire, the characteristics of who I was going to hire were always clear. Whoever was hired needed to possess high character, loyalty, a superior work ethic, and a persistent dedication to getting the job done. If we are going to look at parents in their eyes and tell them their son will be taken care of, we needed high-quality individuals to serve as mentors.

It was also vital to find well-rounded coaches. I did not want somebody that could just recruit. While there is no denying the importance of recruiting, I wanted guys that could coach and mentor as well. At a school with a smaller staff like Morehead State, everyone on staff must have the mindset that no job is too small. I expect my assistants to be willing to mop the floor, clean the locker room, or fill the water coolers. Sometimes it is necessary for the efficiency of the program, but it also molds the culture and gives our players the right mindset.

There were many factors to consider when assembling my staff including what experience they bring to the table, how they will work together, how their skills and knowledge will compliment my coaching ability and how they will thrive being a part of a close-knit community like Morehead. It was important that my staff understand my love for the community and people at Morehead State.

I also wanted to be clear about the direction I intended to take the program. We were going to build this program the right way, and it may take some time to do so. Be sure that you give the people you want to hire a sufficient amount of time to make a thoughtful decision that is going to last so that they join your staff with the understanding of your timeline for success and how long you plan to be at your school.

I also tried to offer jobs respectfully and professionally. My new staff should have the ability to leave their former job on proper terms with their former boss.

"Before our team arrived on campus in July, we created a chart for our staff to call our returning players, newly signed players, and their families. Every player heard from a different coach nearly every day, and every coach talked to each player at least once per week."

Once my staff was assembled, I needed to communicate a plan to help them build relationships with current players and continue recruiting our future athletes. We immediately discussed the importance of consistency in messaging and speaking the same language. We wanted a current player or recruit to talk to different members of our coaching staff and get the same message no matter who they were speaking with.

Consistency reinforces the ideas we want to convey. Our staff also needed to begin the process of “recruiting” our current players. They needed to build a relationship and a sense of trust with every one of them before they ever stepped onto the court together. Before our team arrived on campus in July, we created a chart for our staff to call our returning players, newly signed players, and their families. Every player heard from a different coach nearly every day, and every coach talked to each player at least once per week.

Support Staff, Department, and Campus Relationships

Many of the relationships with our support staff, within our athletic department, and on campus already existed, but when I was promoted to head coach, it was essential to follow up with every one of them. We tried to start with those closest to the program. Within the first week, I met with our strength coach, athletic trainer, SID, and marketing department to discuss our working relationship.

They needed to know that they were an extremely valuable asset to our program and that I was willing to do whatever I could to help them. We tried to do everything possible to empower them with our players and add to their credibility. We also needed to discuss my vision for our basketball program. The way we did things in my year as interim head coach may not necessarily be the way we wanted to do things moving forward.

I had to pick my battles and narrow my focus in my interim year, but now it was time to cement the correct culture throughout our program. This outreach continued throughout the department as we made an effort to be a part of the team. We tried to be visible at as many events as possible and make as many connections with as many people as we could. I was humbled and honored to be the head coach at Morehead State and wanted everyone I came in contact with to know so.

We wanted to establish a great relationship with the many people that work away from athletics at the University as well. Again, it was important to let them know how humbling it was to represent a great institution. We wanted our program, and our players to fit in the grand scheme of the school and not stand apart from it. We spoke with faculty about the expectations we would set forth for our student-athletes.

We talked to housing, student life, and dining services about getting our players back on campus and engaged with the general student body. Throughout these conversations, we maintained the stance that we wanted to help. The discussions did not begin with our staff asking for something; we approached every meeting with the mindset that we wanted to be of assistance to them. By doing so, we would all be a part of building a program that we would all be proud of.

External Outreach

In a small town like Morehead, external outreach begins with personal relationships. Upon accepting the position, I asked for a list of names and phone numbers of the biggest supporters of our athletic department and set time aside to call every one of them. I purposely called on my cell phone and made sure they had my number if they ever needed or wanted to get a hold of me for any reason.

I wanted to thank them for their continued support personally, but also share with them my vision for the future. They needed to know how proud we were to represent this university and town and that we were going to instill those values within our team as well. We were careful not to make any big promises. Instead, we made pledges that we could control like working hard, coaching with respect, and recruiting character.

I tried to spend as much time in the community as possible. To this day, I try to stop somewhere on my way to the office four or five days a week. It goes a long way to meet with different individuals and check on them. Whether it’s the coffee shop or the bakery, we want people to know we care about them and how they are doing.

There is always somewhere else to be or something else to do, but spending time with people is the ultimate sign that you are invested in what they are doing. We need the support of the city of Morehead, but it would be unfair for us to ask for their continued support if we are unable or unwilling to support the city and its people.

"We were careful not to make any big promises. Instead, we made pledges that we could control like working hard, coaching with respect, and recruiting character."

Former Players and Alumni

It was crucial that I reach out to as many former players as I could and make sure that they had a direct line back to our program should they ever need anything at all. We want to create a fraternity among our team that will last long after their playing careers are complete. I want that to extend this to all Morehead State players, current and former, no matter who their head coach was.

It is essential that our alumni have a direct point of contact to the program that they helped build and know there are people here who are willing to assist them in their professional lives. We enjoy a lot of great resources here at Morehead State, and many of those are a direct result of the hard work and success of the student-athletes who came before my players. We want them to continue to be involved with the building of our program and share in our success every step along the way.

Giving Thanks

When you get a job in this business, many people have served as mentors, colleagues, or advocates on your behalf that deserve your utmost gratitude. During my press conference, there were only so many individuals that I could recognize publicly, but there were many others who I certainly owed a great deal to for their role in my development and career.

I kept a list while I was working on getting the job of all the people who would need a personal thank you and made sure to reach out to every one of them. Many would receive a handwritten note while others got a phone call, text, or email. While it is hard to remember everyone, it is important to recognize all the people who believed in me and afforded me this opportunity to run my own program. Being diligent in responding to every call, text, email, twitter message and letter can be a never-ending task, but it was critical to demonstrate my thankfulness for this opportunity.

Many different responsibilities and tasks need your immediate attention when you become a head coach. It is essential to find balance in tending to them and keeping your program on track. For me, the only way to do this was to follow the advice of my mentor, John Calipari. He preached the importance of being a servant leader in all aspects of running a basketball program.

By making a continuous daily effort to work for others and help them, it takes the pressure and focus off yourself and your success. Our program at Morehead State is about putting our players first in everything that we do, and as the head coach, it is my job to live out that belief in everything that I do.

Best Basketball Books: The Top 25 List

Posted by: In: Basketball Products for Coaches and Players 2 comments

Best Basketball Books: Perfect for Giving or Receiving

Whether you are looking for your next book to read or are looking to find a book for the basketball fan in your life; this list of basketball books is perfect for you.

The following list covers our favorite basketball books and our recommendations for you. The books on this list will cover coaching, playing, life in general, and many other topics that apply to the sport of basketball. We are confident that you will find what you are looking for in our list of the top 25 basketball books.

From one basketball junkie to another, enjoy! Also, if you enjoy listening to books on audio, make sure you check out the Free Audible Trial that Amazon offers. This will allow you to listen to a couple of these basketball books free of charge!

Basketball Books: The Top 25 List

1. Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players and Coaches

Book Price: $8.38

About This Basketball Book: Jay Bilas has always been one of the more outspoken college basketball commentators. He has been able to make a name for himself giving good insights into the game of college basketball. Before that though, he was also one of the great college basketball players to play under Coach K at Duke and was a part of two national championship teams. Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court is going to talk about the toughness that it takes on and off the court to be successful in basketball and life.

2. Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $14.13

About This Basketball Book: It is incredible to think that Phil Jackson was able to win 11 NBA championships. For this one fact alone, he is worth listening to when it comes to basketball. Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success is going to cover what went into Phil's ability to be successful for so long in the NBA as a head coach. It will share stories from his time with some of the best basketball teams ever assembled with the Bulls and Lakers. Along with coaching some of the best teams ever, he also coached legends like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal. Insights from Phil Jackson should not be missed.

3. Life is Not an Accident (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players and Fans

Book Price: $6.52

About This Basketball Book: Before Jay Williams became a basketball analyst, he was a promising NBA player who had one of the best college basketball careers of anyone ever to play the game. Life is Not an Accident is going to talk about his life after his motorcycle accident and how he reinvented himself and how there is more to life than just basketball.

4. Tales from the Kentucky Wildcats Locker Room: A Collection of the Greatest Wildcat Stories Ever Told (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Fans

Book Price: $19.95

About This Basketball Book: Kentucky has one of the most storied college basketball programs of all time. Getting a look behind the scenes at this success is something that has to appeal to any true basketball fan. Tales from the Kentucky Wildcats Locker Room includes stories from the players, coaches, and other members of the program that have been a part of this dynasty over the years. Whether you are a Kentucky fan or not, this book is sure to please.

5. The Jordan Rules (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players, Coaches, and Fans

Book Price: $13.08

About This Basketball Book: Michael Jordan is widely considered the best basketball player ever to play the game, but there is always more than meets the eye. The Jordan Rules is going to give an inside look at MJ and some of the areas that he dealt with off the court in his first championship season with the Chicago Bulls. See what went into the making of one of the most iconic sports stars ever and get a better understanding and appreciation for what makes MJ who he is.

6. Sum It Up: A Thousand and Ninety-Eight Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $7.68

About This Basketball Book: You cannot create a list of the best basketball coaches of all time without including the name Pat Summit. She started coaching at the University of Tennessee when she was 21 and over the next 38 years won over 1,000 games. Sum it Up is going to give you the lessons that she learned along her journey as a head coach for the Vols. From tough times to good times in her career, this book is going to cover it all, and in a way that will keep you engaged as you read.

7. The Assist (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Fans

Book Price: $13.95

About This Basketball Book: The Assist is going to center around a high school basketball team in the Boston area that competes for a state championship every year while also dealing with; race, social class, and other factors that go into living in the inner city. You will get an in-depth look into what makes sports so great, and the barriers that sports can overcome.

8. Bleeding Orange: Fifty Years of Blind Referees, Screaming Fans, Beasts of the East, and Syracuse Basketball (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $15.09

About This Basketball Book: You are not able to talk very long about a 2-3 zone defense without Jim Boeheim or Syracuse University coming up. Coach Boeheim has been a staple of college basketball over the years. Bleeding Orange is going to cover what he has learned in his 50 plus years at Syracuse University. If you enjoy learning from other basketball coaches, this is going to be the book for you.

9. Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players and Fans

Book Price: $9.98

About This Basketball Book: Pistol Pete Maravich was one of the most skilled players ever to play the game of basketball. This book is about more than just his basketball accomplishments though. In Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich author Mark Kriegel discusses what it took for Pistol Pete to accomplish all of his success. He also covers what it cost him and his family along the way. The story of Pistol Pete is an interesting story that any true basketball fan would enjoy reading.

10. Wooden: A Coach's Life (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $22.25

About This Basketball Book: You are not able to talk about college basketball coaching greats without bringing up the name John Wooden. At one point he had an 88 game win streak and was a part of winning 10 NCAA championships in 12 years. This John Wooden book is expertly written by author Seth Davis and includes stories from over 200 different people that interacted with him over his life. With all of these personal accounts, you will be able to get a look at John Wooden like never before.

11. When the Game Was Ours (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players, Coaches, and Fans

Book Price: $7.08

About This Basketball Book: Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson was one of the best player rivalries of any sport. The competitiveness and desire to win that both players brought to the court every time they played reminisces a time when gladiators fought in the Coliseum. What started as a bitter rivalry turned into a lifelong friendship at the end. When the Game Was Ours is going to cover this period in the NBA and what it looked like from both players perspective.

12. The Miracle of St. Anthony (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches and Fans

Book Price: $16

About This Basketball Book: Many basketball experts have labeled Bob Hurley as the best high school basketball coaches ever to coach the game. Some of his team's at St. Anthony's are that of legend. This book is going to follow coach Bob Hurley through an entire season with one of his St. Anthony teams. In the book, he looks to lead his team to success while also making sure his players are taken care of outside the lines. If you enjoy learning and reading about other successful coaches and their teams, The Miracle of St. Anthony needs to be your next read.

13. Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $8.16

About This Basketball Book: College basketball continues to turn into a one to two year stop for players that have NBA promise, the turnover rate with new players becoming faster and faster. No one knows this better than John Calipari. Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out covers John Calipari's first four years at Kentucky and the struggles of coaching a brand new team of 18-year-old players each season.

14. Fab Five (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players, Coaches, and Fans

Book Price: $27

About This Basketball Book: The Fab Five is one of college basketball's greatest stories with five freshmen leading their team to the national championship game. When you mix in the off-court findings, and the allegations of recruit tampering, the story gets even more interesting. This book is going to breakdown this epic run and the full story of the Fab Five of Michigan.

15. The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches and Business Professionals

Book Price: $12.25

About This Basketball Book: Pat Riley is one of the most winning basketball coaches ever to coach the game. His book about winning from within is designed to help you be successful both in basketball and life. If you enjoy coaching books that are designed to challenge you and empower you to do more with your life, The Winner Within is going to be an excellent option.

16. Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $16.91

About This Basketball Book: If you win ten national college basketball championships, you deserve to have more than one book listed in the top 25 basketball books. This specific John Wooden book is going to focus on creating a winning organization and the importance of being a great person in life. If you know anything about John Wooden, you know that as much as he was a great coach, he was a better person. This coaching book on leadership is going to highlight who John Wooden was and how you can better emulate his character and coaching.

17. Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players, Coache, and Fans

Book Price: $10.98

About This Basketball Book: Kobe Bryant is one of the most captivating sports figures of his generation. His work ethic alone is worth a book. Add in the success that he has had on the court and some of the off the court issues during his career, and you have a gold mine for a book. If you enjoy player biographies, this is one of the better ones to read.

18. The One Day Contract: How to Add Value to Every Minute of Your Life (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches and Business Professionals

Book Price: $5.49

About This Basketball Book: The One Day Contract: How to Add Value to Every Minute of Your Life was written by hall of fame coach Rick Pitino, and it is not only going to focus on basketball-specific concepts, but also what it takes to have a successful life. You will be challenged to live every day as a one-day contract. This means waking up with a pursuit to be better and a pursuit to chase your dreams. So if you want to be challenged and pushed towards living your best life, give this basketball book a try.

19. Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches and Business Professionals

Book Price: $10.99

About This Basketball Book: Leading with the Heart was written in 2001, but the teaching still applies today when it comes to coaching and living a successful life. This book is going to cover topics like; leadership, communication, dealing with pride, and the importance of trust. With Coach K arguably being the best college basketball coach of all time, it is going to be easy for you to buy into this book and the gameplan that he lays out for being successful in basketball, business, and life.

20. The Hoops Whisperer: On the Court and Inside the Heads of Basketball's Best Players (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Book Price: $8.26

About This Basketball Book: Idan Ravin has worked with players like; Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and many other high-level players. The Hoops Whisperer is going to breakdown some of the drills and techniques that he uses with these elite level players. If you are a basketball trainer, this book is a must-read. However, even if you aren't a trainer though, this is still an interesting ready that will have you appreciating Idan Ravin's skill as a trainer.

21. The Golden Whistle: Going Beyond: The Journey to Coaching Success (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $14.99

About This Basketball Book: The coaches that have endorsed The Golden Whistle are; Coach K, George Raveling, and John Calipari. The book is going to cover ten different learning opportunities that a young coach finds himself confronted with. You will not only find truths to help you become a better coach, but also a better person as well. And, whether you are a young coach or not, this coaching book is still going to be an excellent read for all basketball fans.

22. Stuff Basketball Player Should Know (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Players

Book Price: $13.47

About This Basketball Book: Stuff Basketball Players Should Know is a must for every player that is serious about their game. The book breaks down the different concepts that basketball players should know into bite-sized pieces. This is going to make it easy to understand and apply for players of all different levels. So if you are a basketball player, this is going to be a must read book. Also, if you have a young basketball player in your life, this would make an excellent gift.

23. My Losing Season (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $9.90

About This Basketball Book: "We are either winning, or we are learning" is a pretty common phrase that coaches use. If you are learning from your loses you really can never lose in the grand scheme of things. My Losing Season is going to cover the lessons that Pat Conroy learned when he played college basketball at the Citadel. In the book, Pat will cover all of the different lessons that he learned through his losing season. The book is well written and would be a good read for any basketball coach or fan of the game.

24. Practical Modern Basketball (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Coaches

Book Price: $7.25

About This Basketball Book: This is the third and final John Wooden book, and it is just as good as the other two. Practical Modern Basketball is going to cover philosophy, skill development, and a ton of other coaching keys. So if you are more into the strategies and philosophy of John Wooden, this is going to be the book for you. You will be able to get a peek behind the curtain and see some of the keys that helped John Wooden win 10 NCAA National Championships.

25. The Last Shot (link)

Recommended Basketball Book For: Basketball Fans

Book Price: $4.85

About This Basketball Book: The Last Shot is going to cover the story of an up and coming basketball player from NYC. It will give you a glimpse into the culture of New York City basketball, and allow you to be a part of one player's journey. If you are fascinated by New York City streetball (who isn't?) then this book is a must-read. It will open the door to a whole new brand of basketball and a culture that is just as unique.

Best Basketball Books: Honorable Mentions

This list had to cap at some point, but that doesn't mean that there aren't more than 25 great basketball books out there. So if there is a basketball book that you think others would appreciate, we would love to hear about it in the comments below. Also, here are some other basketball books that deserve an honorable mention for this list and are excellent reads.

Honorable Mentions

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Basketball Training Equipment: The Top 25 List

Posted by: In: Basketball Products for Coaches and Players 20 comments

Basketball Training Equipment: Best Recommendations

Having the right tools makes all the difference. As an athlete, or as a team, you want to make sure that you are not only working hard but that you are working smart and maximizing your gym time. Being able to do that has a lot to do with the equipment that you have at hand. If you want to be able to prepare at an elite level, you need to set yourself up to do so.

With most programs being on a pretty tight budget and a lot of companies out there claiming to have a "miracle product" for sale, we decided to put together our list of the best basketball products on the market. These are the basketball training tools that we use when filming different drills for Basketball HQ and in-person with Tampa Basketball Training.

Hopefully, you can look through this list of the best basketball training equipment and find something that will help you. I am sure that we missed a couple of good training tools, so if you have one that you really like and feel it should be on the list, comment it below.

Basketball Training Equipment: The Top 25 List

1. Wilson Evolution Basketball

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $54.95

About Basketball Training Tool: Every player needs a good basketball that they can bring with them to work on their game. One of our favorite basketballs is the Wilson Evolution Basketball. This basketball has an excellent grip and is one of the favorites among players. It is also very durable and will provide quality use for years. If you are looking for a new basketball, this is one of the best basketballs out there.

2. Dribbling Goggles (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $8.99

About Basketball Training Tool: A lot of younger players struggle to keep their eyes up while dribbling a basketball. With dribbling goggles though, it blocks the player's eyes from being able to glance down at the basketball. Start learning to dribble with your eyes up with this great ball handling tool.

3. Ball Hog Gloves (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $30

About Basketball Training Tool: The idea behind ball hog gloves is to make it harder to control the basketball with the gloves on. That way when you get into a game situation and are not wearing the gloves anymore you have more control over the ball. Develop your ball control and touch by using the ball hog gloves.

4. Weighted Basketball Trainer (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Players

Training Tool Price: $169.95 (for a 2-pack)

About Basketball Training Tool: There are all kinds of weighted basketball that come in different sizes and weights. This particular weighted basketball trainer weighs 3 pounds and is official size. It is going to help a player work on extending their shooting range and also their hand strength when dribbling.

5. The D Man (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $56.95

About Basketball Training Tool: If you look at the shooting percentages between shooting a contested shot compared to an uncontested shot, you will first make sure that your team is contesting more shots on defense, but secondly, you will see the value of the D Man and learning to shoot over a contested hand. You can use the D Man to work on finishes, shooting, or as a defender to make dribble moves past.

6. Agility Ladder (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $28.80

About Basketball Training Tool: Footwork in basketball is key, regardless of position. A great way to improve a players footwork is the agility ladder. There are multiple different types of footwork combinations that you can do with an agility ladder to challenge and improve a players footwork. So whether you are a beginner or a pro, agility ladders add a lot of value.

7. Weighted Speed Vest (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Players

Training Tool Price: $80.99

About Basketball Training Tool: The weighted speed vest is going to help develop a player's explosiveness and speed. The idea behind using a weighted vest is that the player will train with the weights on to make their body push harder. That way when they remove the vest they trick their body to output the same amount of energy, but this time the athlete is lighter, making them more explosive.

8. Air Relax Leg Recovery System (link)

Recommended For: Players

Training Tool Price: $545

About Basketball Training Tool: The quicker a player is able to recover, the sooner they will be able to get back to working on their game. And, rather than feeling sore for their next workout, they will feel refreshed and ready to go. The Air Relax Leg Recovery System is going to allow players to maximize their recovery time. It uses air to squeeze your leg and remove lactic acid and muscle stiffness and soreness.

9. Jump Rope (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Players

Training Tool Price: $14.99

About Basketball Training Tool: A great way to improve footwork and quickness is a jump rope. It is also a great way to warm up before a practice or workout. Whether you are a big man or a guard, jumping rope is a great tool.

10. Elevation Training Mask (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $39.97

About Basketball Training Tool: This mask is a multi-sport training tool, but it is perfect for developing a player's conditioning and endurance. The goal of the mask is to simulate a high altitude situation that is going to force the athlete to improve their breathing. That way when the mask is removed, the player will be able to breathe easier and hopefully run harder and longer.

11. The Big Cone (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $45

About Basketball Training Tool: No more having to pull out trash cans or set up chairs, the Big Cone will allow you to easily set up and take down "stationary defenders" for working on ball handling, finishing, and more. The Big Cone also can double as a storage unit if needed.

12. Resistance Bands (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $39.90

About Basketball Training Tool: Resistance bands are great for working on making explosive movements that translate over to a game. You can work on being able to blow by an opponent, sliding to cut off an offensive player, and so many more movements that are used within a game.

13. Agility Hurdles (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $44.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Agility hurdles are great because they force a player to get their feet up off the ground and move quickly. They can either be used for footwork drills or vertical training; both essential in today's game of basketball.

14. PowerHandz (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $69.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Similar to the Ball Hog gloves listed above, the goal of the PowerHandz Gloves is to force the ball handler to get out of their comfort zone and work to develop their handles. These gloves are weighted and come with an anti-friction surface. The weighted gloves aspect will help with developing quicker hands, and the smooth surface on the gloves will help to develop better ball control.

15. Disc Cones (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $12.29

About Basketball Training Tool: Whether it is working on ball handling, defense, footwork, etc. disc cones are great to have. They are a must for any trainer of coach, but also make a great training tool for players as well. The benefits of disc cones over regular cones is that they are easier to transport, store, and for the price, you can get a lot more cones.

16. Multipurpose Resistance Bands (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $10.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Similar to the speed and explosiveness training resistance bands, these multipurpose bands can be used for speed, vertical, etc. but they can also be used to work on flexibility, strength, and more. I would recommend getting one of these bands based solely on stretching and improving flexibility, but with all the other things you can do with them as well, they are a no-brainer.

17. Tennis Balls (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $15.88

About Basketball Training Tool: Hand-eye coordination is a big part of basketball, and a great way to improve a players coordination is to include tennis balls into different drills. You can use them in ball handling drills, catching drills, quickness/speed drills, etc.

18. Pro Shot Finger Spacer (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $9.99

About Basketball Training Tool: This training tool is designed to force players to keep proper finger spacing when shooting and dribbling. It works really well with shooting though. A lot of times younger players struggle with proper finger positioning on their shooting hand, and this tool will help with that.

19. Kick Out Ball Return (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players

Training Tool Price: $38.99

About Basketball Training Tool: This is another great product brought by SKLZ, and it is going to allow a player to shoot and then have the ball returned to them on the make. If you are not able to consistently have a rebounder when you shoot, this product will help to save you a lot of time and energy running down the ball after you shoot, which will allow for more time and energy spent on actual shooting.

20. Blocking Pad (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $49.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Great players are able to be physical and handle contact. Whether it is being able to shield off an aggressive defender, boxing out, finishing at the basket, or whatever it might be; players need to learn to play through contact. The blocking pad is a great way to do this while being safe.

21. Solo Assist (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $129.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Unfortunately, you do not always have a passer at your disposal as a player when you are training, and as a coach with 12 plus players in the gym sometimes your only responsibility can't be just passing. The Solo Assist allows for a passer and lets you practice different shots, moves, etc. that require a passer.

22. Dribble Stick (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Players

Training Tool Price: $99.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Ball handling has a lot to do with ball control and being able to put the ball where you want it to go. The Dribble Stick helps to promote ball control by forcing the player to dribble over or under different height levels. With this basketball training tool, you can practice quick hand to hand combinations, ball control, and much more.

23. Double Double (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Coaches and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $39.99

About Basketball Training Tool: This is two basketball training tools in one. The Double Double is first going to allow shooters to work on their shooting by making the rim smaller. If the player can make it in the smaller ring at a high clip, then their shooting percentage should go way up without the ring in.

Secondly, it provides an excellent cap to the rim as well. The cap has different raised grooves on it which will allow for working on rebounding. Missing on purpose without a cap rarely ends up coming off as a game miss would, the Double Double will help to simulate natural game misses.

24. Control Basketball Set (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $44.99

About Basketball Training Tool: Getting out of your comfort zone is a must when it comes to improving as a ball handler. The Control Basketball Set is going to provide three basketballs that are different sizes and weights. One ball focuses on quickness, another on touch, and the third on building hand and finger strength.

25. Resistance Sprints Parachute (link)

Recommended For: Basketball Players and Trainers

Training Tool Price: $10.99

About Basketball Training Tool: This is not a basketball-specific training tool, but it is great for helping improve speed. A resistance band is great for working on sprints as well, but the resistance parachute will allow you to run for a longer distance and will push you to go your max speed.

The goal is to trick your muscles into working harder than they need to when the parachute is on. That way when you remove the parachute and execute the same sprints, your body will continue to put out that extra energy, but this time you will not have the parachute holding you back.

Basketball Training Equipment Conclusion

As a player or coach, how you spend your time in the gym is valuable. The whole goal of this article is to help provide you with training tools that are going to allow you to maximize your time and effort in the gym. Having the right tools can make all the difference.

If you are looking for some more basketball related products, check out our list of the Best Basketball Books and our list of the Top 25 Basketball Gifts.

Also, please remember to share your comments on any great basketball training equipment that we may have missed. We are always looking to update this list with any new great training tools that we are able to discover.

Best Basketball Coaching Books: The Top 20 List

Posted by: In: Basketball Products for Coaches and Players 5 comments

Best Basketball Coaching Books: Always be Learning and Growing

Great coaches and players are always looking to learn and grow. If you fall into one of these categories or simply love the game, this list of the best basketball coaching books was created for you. It will help shed light on some great coaches and writers that can help you improve in your knowledge of the game, but also help you have a more prosperous life.

We hope that you can find one or several great coaching books from this list below. If we have left off one of your favorite coaching books feel free to comment below so that we can check it out and consider adding it to the list! Also, if you are interested in more than just books, check out our list of the Top 25 Basketball Gift Ideas.

Do you enjoy listening to books on audio? Make sure you check out the Free Audible Trial that Amazon offers and you will get to listen to some of these books for free.

Top 20 Basketball Coaching Books:

1. Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court (link)

Book Price: $8.38

About This Basketball Coaching Book: You may know Jay Bilas as an outspoken college basketball commentator and analyst, but he also played four years at Duke under the one an only Coach K. Along with playing under Coach K, he also was a part of his coaching staff as they won two national championships. This book is all about the toughness that it takes to be successful. Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court features stories from Coach K, Bob Knight, Grant Hill, Mia Hamm, Jon Gruden, Tom Izzo, Roy Williams, Bill Self, Curtis Strange, and many others.

2. Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success (link)

Book Price: $14.13

About This Basketball Coaching Book: When you win more championships than any other head coach in professional history, you must be doing something right. Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success is a book about Phil Jackson's success in the NBA and doing things the right way. If you are interested in taking a peek into the mind of the most winning NBA coach of all time, this book is a great choice.

3. Tales from the Kentucky Wildcats Locker Room: A Collection of the Greatest Wildcat Stories Ever Told (link)

Book Price: $19.95

About This Basketball Coaching Book: If you are a basketball junkie there is nothing better than hearing about past basketball glories; that is why this book is so great! Tales from the Kentucky Wildcats Locker Room is all about the history and tradition of Kentucky basketball, and it is told by the players and coaches that were physically a part of the action. It is a great read for players, coaches, or fans of the game of basketball.

4. Sum It Up: A Thousand and Ninety-Eight Victories, a Couple of Irrelevant Losses, and a Life in Perspective (link)

Book Price: $7.68

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Pat Summit is the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, and there is a good reason for it. She became head coach of the Tennessee Vols women's team at the age of 21, and this book recounts the 38 years she spent there. Sum It Up is a must read for basketball coaches that are looking to improve their knowledge of the game and also see what winning really looks like.

5. Bleeding Orange: Fifty Years of Blind Referees, Screaming Fans, Beasts of the East, and Syracuse Basketball (link)

Book Price: $15.09

About This Basketball Coaching Book: When you think of a 2-3 zone, it is hard not also to associate Syracuse and Jim Boeheim in the same thought. For years he has been winning games and even national championships at the University of Syracuse. Bleeding Orange is a candid autobiography of coach Boeheim's career at Syracuse; starting from when he walked on campus in 1963 as a freshman.

6. Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball (link)

Book Price: $11.48

About This Basketball Coaching Book: A perfect book for beginner youth basketball coaches, this book is going to provide you all the basics. You will be able to learn how to run effective practices, how to teach the fundamentals, and more. If you are just starting with youth basketball, we highly suggest that you check out the Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball.

7. Success Is a Choice: Ten Steps to Overachieving in Business and Life (link)

Book Price: $14.34

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Between his time spent at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, it is hard to argue that Rick Pitino is not one of the best college basketball coaches of all time. In his book, Success Is a Choice: Ten Steps to Overachieving in Business and Life, coach Pitino breaks down ten different keys to being successful. Success is a choice, and it is up to you to take advantage of it.

8. Wooden: A Coach's Life (link)

Book Price: $17.48

About This Basketball Coaching Book: When you talk about the best coaches of all time in any sport, the name John Wooden is sure to come up. His time at UCLA is that of legend with an 88 game win streak and 10 NCAA championships in 12 years. Wooden: A Coach's Life, is written by Seth Davis, and it is going to cover Coach Wooden's life from over 200 different perspectives. This book is a must read for all true fans of the game.

9. You Win in the Locker Room First: The 7 C's to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life (link)

Book Price: $13.95

About This Basketball Coaching Book: You Win in the Locker Room First was a joint effort from two different authors; Jon Gordon who is a best-selling author and Mike Smith who is an NFL coach that helped lead one of the greatest team turnarounds in franchise history with the Atlanta Falcons. Although this book was not written by a basketball coach, there are so many areas of this book that transfer over to being a basketball coach, and also living a successful life.

10. Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out (link)

Book Price: $8.16

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Players First: Coaching From the Inside Out is about Kentucky University's coach John Calipari and his first four seasons as the Wildcats head coach. It is a rare insight into one of the winningest programs in college basketball and what it takes for Calipari to put together an elite level team of 18-year-old freshmen every year.

11. The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players (link)

Book Price: $12.25

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Pat Riley is one of basketball's winningest coaches, but this book is not just about basketball. The Winner Within can be applied to pretty much an endeavor that you take on in life. This book is going to talk about leadership, mastery, personal growth, and a variety of other areas that successful people excel in.

12. Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization (link)

Book Price: $16.91

About This Basketball Coaching Book: You bring up John Wooden's name and immediately your mind goes to, "one of the best college basketball coaches in history." Some of the feats that he accomplished as a coach are so incredible that when you sit down and think about them, you almost can't believe that they actually happened. What is even more incredible though, is that he was a better person and leader than he was a coach. Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization is going to talk about Coach Wooden's leadership beliefs and how to create a winning organization in basketball or business.

13. The One Day Contract: How to Add Value to Every Minute of Your Life (link)

Book Price: $5.49

About This Basketball Coaching Book: This is another book from Hall of Fame Coach Rick Pitino. As most of his books do, it is going to have a lot of concepts that not only apply to basketball but life in general. If you want to be more driven and find success in each day that you live, check out The One Day Contract.

14. Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life (link)

Book Price: $10.99

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Coach K has made Duke into a perennial national powerhouse, and he has done it by promoting team play and the right culture. Leading With the Heart was written in 2001, but it has so many great thoughts on; leadership, the importance of trust, communication, dealing with pride, and so much more that translates seamlessly to today. This book translates to more than just basketball as well and is a great read for anyone that wants to be a better person and a better leader.

15. Championship Team Building: What Every Coach Needs to Know to Build a Motivated, Committed & Cohesive Team (link)

Book Price: $23.51

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Teams win championships; it is as simple as that. It takes a group that is committed to the same common goal and is willing to sacrifice personal achievements to get there. Jeff Janssen wrote Championship Team Building, and it is going to talk about what you need to do as a coach to build a team that is committed to each other and motivated to do what it takes to win.

16. Coaching Basketball Successfully (link)

Book Price: $21.51

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Morgan Wootten is considered one of the best high school coaches of all times. Coaching Basketball Successfully is going to breakdown some of Wootten's timeless wisdom when it comes to coaching basketball. This book will cover insights, drills, instruction, Xs and Os, and so much more that goes into coaching basketball.

17. Basketball Methods (link)

Book Price: $42.99

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Basketball Methods was the joint work of two different authors, John Benington and Pete Newell. It is going to cover the scientific study of basketball theory and how it applies to different game situations. The book is also going to cover a number of fundamentals including passing, shooting, and footwork.

18. The Hoops Whisperer: On the Court and Inside the Heads of Basketball's Best Players (link)

Book Price: $8.26

About This Basketball Coaching Book: Idan Ravin is one of the worlds best basketball trainers. Amazingly he got there without ever even playing in college or the pros. The Hoops Whisperer is going to talk about some of his interactions with players like Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and many other high-level players. In his book, Idan breaks down some of his unorthodox drills and the techniques that go along with his training.

19. Practical Modern Basketball (link)

Book Price: $7.25

About This Basketball Coaching Book: There is a reason that coach John Wooden has multiple books on this list. As arguably (very arguably) the best college basketball coach of all time, he has earned it too. He was a coach that focused on every detail and considered no task too small when it came to preparation. Practical Modern Basketball will show you how he was able to be successful, and how to develop your basketball players on the court and as people.

20. The Golden Whistle: Going Beyond: The Journey to Coaching Success (link)

Book Price: $14.99

About This Basketball Coaching Book: This book is endorsed by coaches like John Calipari, Coach K, and George Raveling. The Golden Whistle is going to breakdown ten golden nuggets that a young coach will learn on his way to becoming the coach that is able to hold the golden whistle. This book is designed to not only help you become a better coach but also help you improve your life and the lives of the people around you.

Best Basketball Coaching Books Conclusion

A great coach is always learning, growing, and ultimately becoming a better coach in all facets. This basketball coaching books list will help you learn from some of the best coaches of all time. However, not every coaching philosophy and strategy is going to fit you.

It is up to you to find what works best. Figure out the best game plan for yourself as a coach and for your team. Good luck on your journey as a coach! Once again, please feel free to recommend any great coaching books in the comments that we may have missed!

Two Ball Between the Legs Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill

Posted by: In: Stationary Two Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills 0 comments

Stationary two ball dribbling drills are an excellent resource for players to work on handling the basketball. Great offensive players must be able to dribble the basketball with both hands well. This basketball drill will challenge players to push beyond their comfort zone with the addition of a second basketball.

Good defenders will pressure and force the offense to use their weak hand. The ability to execute the between the legs crossover move will allow players to create separation from the defense. This separation will give the player time and space to make a good decision and get by the defense. This two ball drill is an effective tool for players to maximize repetitions and become an exceptional ball handler.

Drill Overview

Drill Name: Two Ball Between the Legs Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill

Equipment Needed: 2 basketballs.

Similar Drills and Resources

Goals of the Drill

Work on the between the legs crossover dribbling move and being able to sell it against a defender.
Work on ball handling and developing both hands so that a player is comfortable using both hands equally.
Increase speed and control with the basketball.

Coaching Points

Players should pound the ball hard with each dribble, especially on the crossover.
Players need to keep their eyes up throughout the entire drill.
Encourage players to push beyond their comfort zone. It is okay for players to turn the ball over 2-3 time if they are challenging themselves and getting out of their comfort zone.
Players need to maintain a low, athletic stance throughout the drill (30 seconds in each direction).
Keep the between the legs, crossover sequence low, tight, and quick. The ball should bounce below their knees.
Focus on the reception of the ball from the between the legs move into the double crossover. Fingers should be pointing down toward the floor. Make sure the ball is received cleanly from one hand to the other.

Drill Instructions

The player will start with a basketball in each hand.
To establish a rhythm, the player will take one stationary dribble with both basketballs. With their right hand, the player will do between the legs dribble (ball 1). While the between the legs dribble is going from right to left hand, the basketball that began in the player’s left hand will be crossed over in front to their right hand (ball 2).
As soon as the between the legs dribble is completed and is received into the player's left hand, they will immediately execute a crossover dribble to get it (ball 1) back to their right hand. At the same time, they will be making another crossover dribble with the other basketball (ball 2) to get it from their right hand back to their left.
Essentially, the player will make two basketball crossover dribbles in front (balls 1 and 2), immediately after completing the between the legs move (ball 1).
Continue this sequence for the desired amount of time, then switch and have the left hand start the between the legs move.

Recommended Time, Scoring, and Repetitions

The recommended time for this stationary ball handling basketball drill will be a total of 60 seconds, 30 seconds for each direction. After completing the moves in one direction for 30 seconds, the player can take a brief break before completing the same drill beginning with the opposite hand.
To vary the drill, add or reduce time to the 30 seconds.
You can modify the drill by having the players pass one of the basketballs (ball 2) across the front of their body to switch from one hand to the other; rather than executing two crossover dribbles in front. The player would still do combination ball handling moves with ball 1; but would pass ball two across from one hand to the other, rather than dribble it.
If the player is advanced, they can walk forward while executing the move.
If needed, the player can add in 1-3 stationary dribbles in between the combination moves. This will help less advanced players gain rhythm and control.

Two Ball Between the Legs Crossover Basketball Dribbling Drill Conclusion

The key to building confidence for any player is repetition. Players who maximize repetitions and consistently work on their craft will become confident in their skills. As a coach, one of your jobs to provide opportunities to help your players develop these quality repetitions. The more of these types of opportunities that you provide, the more chances for growth your players will have.

This is also an excellent drill to encourage your players to do on their own as well. So once you have explained it to them, challenge them to work on it on their own.

Windshield Wiper Post Catch and Finish Basketball Drill

Posted by: In: Basketball Post Move Drills 1 comment

Passing, catching, and ball handling are all essential components in the game of basketball. Players have to be able to effectively do all of these if they want to be complete players. This basketball finishing drill encompasses all of those skills into one quick, challenging drill.

Regardless of position, all players need to be able to finish around the basket. This drill can be used as a warm-up or in practice for players to get quality repetitions in a short amount of time. By using two basketballs, players are also going to be challenged to improve their hand-eye coordination as well.

Drill Overview

Drill Name: Windshield Wiper Post Catch and Finish Basketball Drill

Equipment Needed: 2 basketballs, a partner, and a timer (optional).

Similar Drills and Resources

Goals of the Drill

Work on ball handling and finishing around the basket.
Improve hand-eye coordination and being able to catch the ball.
Develop a soft touch and work on being able to finish off of different footwork and from different angles.

Coaching Points

Stay in a low, athletic stance and dribble the basketball as hard and fast as possible. Players should challenge their speed with ball handling and push beyond their comfort zone.
Players need to keep their eyes up to receive the pass and catch the ball cleanly.
Have players reach high and extend up and out on the finish, using a nice soft touch.

Drill Instructions

The player will start with their back to the baseline and underneath the basket.
They will begin with one basketball in their left hand.
The passer will be facing them in the center of the paint with another basketball.
The player will begin the drill by dribbling the basketball in a windshield wiper motion. The windshield wiper dribble should make a "v" shape.
At any time, the passer will throw the second basketball to the player's right hand.
The player must catch the pass with their right hand, gather the dribble with their left hand, and finish with a reverse layup on the right side.
If the player misses the layup, they will rebound and continue to shoot until they make it.
Once the layup is made, they will immediately pass one ball back out to their partner and repeat the same action.
The player will continue this pattern for the desired amount of time and then switch which hand begins the dribble and finishes the reverse layup.

Recommended Time, Scoring, and Repetitions

This ball handling and finishing basketball drill is demonstrated with a player using one ball to do windshield wiper dribbling while receiving a pass with the second ball to catch and finish for a reverse layup. The player completes four reverse layups on one side. After completing the moves on one side, they repeat the same drill on the other side until they complete four made reverse layups.
To vary the drill, you could increase the number of made layups on each side.
The drill could also be completed for a specific amount of time on each side, rather than a set number of made shots. The players could compete to see who can make the most number of layups in the desired time.
To modify the drill for a less advanced player, they could do a stationary pound dribble.
To increase complexity, the player could do front-to-back windshield wiper move, instead of a side-to-side windshield wiper.

Windshield Wiper Post Catch and Finish Basketball Drill Conclusion

Whether it's a post player catching in transition or a guard attacking off the dribble, the ability to finish around the basket is essential. Great finishers maintain their focus on the rim, despite external factors that try to deter the making of the shot. Players need to have excellent hand-eye coordination to make tough catches in traffic, absorb contact, and finish in a variety of ways. Using a reverse layup, this windshield wiper post catch and finishing drill will reinforce the advantage of the rim to protect the ball from shot blockers.

Being a great finisher doesn't mean a player has to be the strongest, fastest, or most athletic. A player that challenges beyond their comfort zone and works tirelessly to improve will be the player that succeeds. This drill will help develop the skills of ball control, finesse, coordination, and awareness to produce great finishers.

4 Characteristics of Great Defensive Basketball Teams

Posted by: In: Defensive Basketball Coaching Articles 0 comments

This article was written by East Mississippi Junior College Head Coach Billy Begley.

“Defense wins championships”! That is the old saying that has been around sports for years and years! Some would argue that the old saying is true while others believe the point of a game is to score more points than the other team. I would agree that it is a combination of both.

There must be a balance of good offense and defense for any championship team. You must be able to put points on the board and have a player or two that, when all else breaks down, can go get a bucket or make a play for someone else.

However, if a team is going to develop any consistency and give itself a shot at winning any game on any given night in any gym, it all starts with getting stops!

I think we can all agree that the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors were one of the most dynamic offenses the league has ever seen! Having three of the best shooters on the planet, with one of those being one of the most unique players and scorers this game has ever seen in Kevin Durant, along with their ability to share the ball and hit you from all different angles makes them very tough, if not impossible at times, to guard.

But every one of their offensive runs began with a string of defensive stops. Golden State could get out in transition and score in disadvantage situations with 3-on-2 and 4-on-3 fast breaks.

What was once a 5-point lead quickly turned into an 8, 10, 15, 20 point lead. Game over! But it all started with getting stops on the defensive end. It is hard getting out in transition and scoring and when you are taking the ball out of bounds every time. The best and most consistent teams understand that it all starts with defense.

In my time as a player at Mississippi State, I was able to be a part of one SEC regular-season championship team, two SEC West championship teams and four NCAA Tournament teams. During those years, we were consistently one of the best defensive teams in the league.

My freshman year (2003-2004) was the year we won the overall SEC regular season championship. We were not loaded with talent or a ton of one-and-done players either. Only one player (Lawrence Roberts) was even drafted from that team! But we bolstered a 14-2 overall league record while going 8-0 on the road! How did we do it? Defense!!

We gave ourselves a chance to win every game because of our defense! An offense is unpredictable; you can’t control how many times the ball goes through the hoop! But defense travels to every game and every gym! This does not mean you will win every game, but being a great defensive team will give you a chance almost every time you step on the floor!

Here are 4 Characteristics that Every Great Defensive Team Has

TOUGHNESS - I know this seems generic or cliche’, but it is simple! Every great defensive team has a certain “dog” about them! They take great pride in their ability to defend. Defense starts with an attitude! If you do not have the “dog” in you, it is hard to be a great defensive team.

And what do I mean by toughness? Stepping over from the help side and taking a charge or being the first on the floor when there is a loose ball. Those are winning plays that take ZERO talent! It simply comes down to making a choice and having the toughness to do it.

ACCOUNTABILITY – I am not talking about accountability from coaches. I am talking about the must-have accountability from teammates. It is one thing if the coach calls you out for not fulfilling your defensive assignment, but it is an entirely different feeling when your teammates call you out!

Player accountability was one of the greatest attributes of that 2004 SEC Championship team. Accountability did not come from just the coaches; it came from the huddle! No one wanted to be the guy that let the other four down on the defensive end!

No one wanted to be “that guy” who could not guard their man, missed a block out or failed to rotate quick enough in help side that led us to get dunked on. Accountability came from within, and when someone was not holding their defensive effort up to the group's standards, the other four guys called him out.

Having this accountability and pride on the defensive end must start with the players in uniform, not the coaches in suits.

COMMUNICATION - The best defensive teams are also the best at communication. Transition defense has to start with communication from all five players sprinting back. In the half court, defending any screen, hard cut, or any other action that the offense runs all starts with a high level of communication.

The ability to communicate at a high level is a must for any team that wants to a lockdown defensive team. It takes ZERO talent to talk!

The ability to communicate can also sometimes hide the deficiencies one may lack in terms of height and athleticism! Communication keeps everyone on the same page and working together for the common goal of getting a stop.

REBOUNDING - A team cannot be a great defensive team without being a great rebounding team. A defensive possession is not over until the team gets a rebound. It is so demoralizing as a team when you defend your tail off and force the other team into a bad or rushed shot, but fail to come up with the defensive board.

It’s just as demoralizing to the other team when you limit them to one shot. Being a great rebounding team can lead to easy baskets on the other end, which is a big reason why teams are able to string together monster runs and get big leads.

Conclusion

Many other aspects go into great defensive teams. However, I believe that without these four characteristics it does not matter what kind of size or athleticism you have, it will be tough to be a great defensive team.

So Make sure that you are emphasizing the importance of Toughness, Player Accountability, Communication, and Finishing the Play every single day in practice. Make sure that your team knows what the program is going to be about on the defensive end, and then work every day to make it happen.

Billy Begley
East Mississippi Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Billy Begley started his time at East Mississippi Junior College in 2010 as an assistant coach. He spent two years with the Troy Trojans before rejoining the Lions as the head coach.