This article was written by Basketball HQ Co-Founder Kyle Ohman.
It seems like there are always excuses that we can come up with when we aren’t fully committed to something; some excuses may even seem legitimate. One of the biggest excuses that comes up when basketball training is mentioned is not getting access to a gym. Having a proper facility can make a big difference when it comes to training. However, some great basketball drills can be done at home in your driveway, garage, etc., as well. So even if you don’t always have access to an indoor gym, you can still be working on your game.
All you need is a basketball and a flat hard surface to work on your game. Here are some great basketball drills to do at home and some exercises to help improve your skills and athleticism as a basketball player.
One Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills
One ball basketball dribbling drills can work on game-specific moves that you can use in a game and to improve your overall handles. The key to these dribbling drills is to make sure that you are pushing yourself and getting out of your comfort zone. Another important key to these types of basketball dribbling drills is to work on a change of pace and visualizing the defender in front of you. Don’t practice your moves like a robot, but instead work on changing your speeds, and you will be a lot harder to guard in a game.
Two-Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills
Two ball basketball dribbling drills are great for developing a player’s weak hand. These drills do this so well because they don’t allow the player to switch the basketball to their strong hand when they get in trouble — most player’s immediate reaction when dribbling is to put the basketball to their strong hand. With two basketballs, though, the player doesn’t have this option, and they are forced to work on their weak hand.
It also does a great job of maximizing training time by working on both hands simultaneously, and the added difficulty of the second basketball really challenges the player to get out of their comfort zone. The key for these drills is to make sure that you control the basketballs and dribbling them as hard as you can; you get out what you put in.
Tennis Ball Basketball Dribbling Drills
If you are looking to improve your hand-eye coordination and overall hand quickness, these are the drills for you. Adding a tennis ball to a dribbling drill adds another level of difficulty. It really forces the player to develop quick handles because they must complete each move and catch the tennis ball. It may take a little bit to get used to, but tennis ball basketball dribbling drills are excellent for improving a player’s hands.
Basketball Exercises
Basketball is a game that is becoming more and more focused on athletic players, and if you aren’t actively improving your speed, quickness, explosiveness, etc., you will struggle. Here are some great basketball exercises that you can do in your house our own backyard to improve your athleticism. Really make sure that you lock in on the details and execute the different movements correctly. These types of movements will translate to the court and make you a more athletic player.
