Dribbling and Ball Handling

Believe it or not, there is a difference between being a good ball handler and a good dribbler. To be a good dribbler you must be a good ball handler, however you can be a good ball handler and not be a good dribbler. In a player's repertoire, both of these fundamentals should be developed to improve their overall skill level.

So which is more important? Being able to dribble through pressure and fake out multiple defenders with creative dribble moves or being a good ball handler and not turning the ball over and not letting the defender steal the ball, even if it means picking it up when hands are slapping and clawing at you.

Let's first analyze the concept of being a good ball handler. In a typical basketball game between two very competitive teams that are well coached and is being played with a high level of intensity, players will encounter themselves in many sticky situations.

For example, full court defensive pressure will change the speed of the game. The offensive team will hopefully become a passing team in order to move the ball faster down the court and avoid the many traps that the defense would like to see happen. That is when good hard and fast passes will be made. Each player on the court will need to be able to take very limited dribbles, pick up the basketball quickly and make a strong and accurate pass to their teammate. If you are having difficulty catching and/or grabbing the ball from a dribble move, you need to improve your ball handling.

Another example could be if you are wide open for an easy layup and you fumble the ball before or after you pick it up to lay the ball in the basket. This could cause you to miss a wide-open layup. The reason is not always because you can't make layups, it could be because you couldn't handle the ball. Having confidence and strong hands are only a couple of characteristics that are necessary to be a good ball handler.

Dribbling is a fundamental art in the game of basketball. Americans above all have and remain trying to perfect this art every second of the day. Thanks to the Stephon Marburys, Allen Iversons and the Rafer Alstons to merely name a few, becoming a great dribbler has begun to sell more tickets. This is a positive for the NBA franchises and a negative for the young aspiring basketball player that is now in the habit of beating the basketball on the floor in a game hoping that something good will evolve from it 10 out of 10 times.

Before I go on, let's make sure we have one thing clear, dribbling is a requirement in the game of basketball if you cannot always make a pass to an open man. Running with the basketball is illegal. Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about the benefits of dribbling.

How many times have we heard our coaches scream, "MOVE WITH A PURPOSE!!" To be an effective dribbler you must dribble with two intentions:

1. To get your defender off balance

2. To create a means of effectively getting to the basket.

In a game identical to the characteristics of that mentioned above, dribblers will need to stay lower than the defensive player when they dribble and make dribble moves. Speed bursts with the ball and being ready to shoot when the time comes all stem from staying low with your dribble. Because the ball doesn't have much time to bounce before it is back in your hands every time you dribble, it will be harder for defenders to steal the ball and easier for the dribbler to make decisions.

Becoming a better shooter often relates to the fact that you, the player, have become a better dribbler and ball handler.

...Call a TO, make adjustments, consider the above.

SwinsBasketball
Phone: (862) 234-0511
Email: swinsbasketball@gmail.com

B.E.E.E.F.

The mechanics of a jump-shot are so much easier said than done. However, if they're going to be said, let them be said with a good taste in your mouth. The acronym used at SwinsBasketball is B.E.E.E.F. That's right, Beeef with threee "E's".

In a consistent and structured jump-shot you must continuously improve your:
B alance
E yes
E elbow
E xplode
F ollow-through

A shooting form is like a person's handwriting, no two people have identical handwriting forms. You may find someone that writes almost identical to another person, but maybe they don't cross their "T's" or dot their "i" quite like the other. As long as the "T" or the "i" is legible and can be read every time you write, then you can count that as 2 points! This is true in a player's jump-shooting form as well.

To meet the standard percentages for shooting, guaranteed to put a smile on any coach's face, you must follow the 3 C's: Comply with the mechanics (B.E.E.E.F.), be Comfortable in your shot and you must be Confident. SwinsBasketball won't change your form, but the mechanics of your form may need to be altered in order to comply, repetition will be stressed in each training session for comfort, this in turn will prove to develop a confident player.

Are you that player?


SwinsBasketball
Phone: (862) 234-0511
Email: swinsbasketball@gmail.com

Basketball Training - Affordable Way To Take Your Game To The Next Level

Welcome to SwinsBasketball

Try an initial session just to see if this is what you are looking for...

Then,

Purchase a package of workouts at a discounted rate!

Strengthen your weaknesses and learn more about your game and what you can expand on! Get a head start on the guys at the court or your up and coming winter league and/or youth league, middle school, high school or college basketball season.

Its worth a try and very affordable. Premium Packages and Referral discount incentives are offered as well (see below). For more information check out session and package descriptions at SwinsBasketball.

The premium, packages, and referral details are below:

The Video Evaluation Premium (VEP) may be added to each package of sessions (with the exception of Package 3) at an additional $20.

Trial/Initial sessions (1 hour and 15 minutes) - $100.00

Package 1 includes: 3 sessions at $260.00 (equivalent to $87 per session)
Package 2 includes: 4 sessions at $340.00 (equivalent to $85 per session)
Multi-Packages (6, 8, 10, etc sessions) with VEP, for example: 6 sessions +VEP = $520.00 (Package 1 times 2 plus VEP at no charge)


**Package session length ranges between 1 hour 15 to 30 minutes. (Player’s discretion).**

Payment is made in cash or check at the first workout.


REFERRALS & VEP

If you refer a client that confirms a package or workout then you will receive a free individual workout session ($100 value).

If you refer 2 clients that confirm Trial/Initial workouts or a package then you will receive a free Trial/Initial workout, plus a 3 session package.

If you refer more than 2 clients that confirm Trial/Initial workouts and/or packages then you may select and confirm between a free 3 session VEP package or a 4 session VEP package.

VEP (Video Evaluation Premium)- Video Evaluation is an important tool allowing the player to see with their own eyes the encouraging constructive points discussed and emphasised in each workout. Video evaluation will take place at the beginning of every session. Workouts are filmed in HD quality, can be sent to your phone, and all completed evaluation videos are the property of the player. Players can have the convenience of referring back to it if a topic or point is forgotten when practicing on your own, walking to school or work, or sitting in front of your computer.

Looking Forward,

Thomas S.
Head Coach and Trainer
Phone/Text: (862)-234-0511
Swinsbasketball@gmail.com
Website: SwinsBasketball

Private Basketball Training - Indoor/Outdoor Facilities, Beneficial and Affordable

THE FOCUS

I focus primarily on the following fundamentals of the game (player has the option to focus on select or all areas):

- Defending (and breaking down the defense)
- Shooting (including finding your shot and improving your freethrow percentage)
- Passing
- Rebounding
- Conditioning (including plyometric strength, endurance, and agility exercises)
- Dribbling (to gain an advantage and to get out of sticky situations)
- Footwork (to improve your shot and defense)

And the following philosophies:
- Court comfort zone (Guard & Post play)
- Overall game mentality (Coaching)


SESSIONS & PACKAGES
(Workouts are in both Indoor and Outdoor facilities)

1. Players can have a max of 2 inital session per day.*
2. Individual workout sessions start at only $100.00!! Packages can go as low as $83.00 per session! **

Get ready for the upcoming school basketball season or winter league. Obtaining that "first step" can prove to be beneficial to this year's season and bad news for the opposition!

Trial/Inital sessions incorportate overal fundamental basketball instruction.
Packages focus more indepth in specific fundamentals that will improve the weakness(es) of the player.

Please feel free to contact me anytime via email: swinsbasketball@gmail.com or Phone/Text: (862)-234-0511 with any further questions and to set up an appointment for training. Ask about the Premium Packages and the referral discount incentives. I look forward to improving your game!!

*Players will be attended to on a one-on-one basis (friends, teammates and coworkers are exceptions).
** The price of each Trial/Initial session, package and premium is subject to change. The price will be reasonably adjusted to be affordable based on the number of sessions requested.

Packages are recommended.


Thomas S.
Head Coach and Trainer
Phone/Text: (862)-234-0511
Swinsbasketball@gmail.com
Website: SwinsBasketball