3 Ways To Create Space Off The Dribble
August 22, 2013 by danny · Leave a Comment
I just had an article published on iHoops.com. It’s a very important topic for those looking to get their own shot. A lot of people can stand and shoot. A number of people can finish with a monstrous dunk on the break. But not enough people work on getting separation from their defender. Add this tool and it will definitely take your game to the next level.
Read article here… 3 Ways To Create Space Off The Dribble
Steph creating space off the dribble.
Brilliant at the Basics (Dribbling Skills) – Episode II
June 14, 2012 by danny · Leave a Comment
In case you missed “Episode I,” CLICK HERE. I’ll include the “introductory video” again today… to get you up to speed…
When it comes to dribbling skills, things are no different than with a quality strength training program. That is, you must first build a foundation (get brilliant at the basics), before you can even think about getting “all fancy.” It’s about working toward making progressions from week-to-week (again, just like you should be aiming to do when in the weight room).
There you have it, handles 101. Ok young ballers, go get it!
On a side note. I’ll be at Wrigley for Friday’s Cubs/Red Sox game! I can’t wait! I haven’t been to Wrigley for years and this will be my first time back at my favorite place on Earth since moving back to Illinois. And to make it even better, one of my best friends, McKenna, is driving in from Omaha to go to the game with me. He’s a long time Red Sox fan and this will be his first time at Wrigley. I’m interested to see how he thinks Wrigley Field compares to Fenway Park (or is it Pok?)
Anyway, good times are ahead, and to keep with the theme of brilliant at the basics, we’ll definitely keep it simple by starting off with an Old Style and a Chicago Style Hot Dog.
I'm gonna tear this up on Friday (minus the mustard)!
But not to worry y’all… I’ll get right back on my usual clean eating/living the next day. It’s about finding that balance… and an Old Style with a dog definitely fits in the plan from time to time!
Have a great rest of your week and a great weekend my friends. I know I will! 
Early Off-Season Training For Basketball Players – Skill Development Is King
April 17, 2012 by danny · 4 Comments
I’ll let the video below provide the majority of the information. But briefly…
Quite often athletes get too caught up in, “harder is better.” i.e. “if I don’t put in 3 hours on the court working on my game, I’m not going to be the best player that I can be.” OR, “if I don’t leave the court feeling like I’m about to puke, I didn’t go hard enough.”
I like this mindset, as I know you are thinking, “I’ll do WHATEVER it takes to be the best player that I can be.” BUT, there are many aspects of your game that help you to become a great player – skill, heart, discipline, conditioning, strength, staying healthy, coachability, etc. etc. And let me tell you, right now in mid-April, conditioning is NOT very important. I’m obviously not saying that you should sit on the couch all day eating doritos and turn into a slob. But when you head to the gym to work on your game, emphasize skill development. Conditioning will become a higher priority as tryouts in October approaches. But for now, focus on improving your skeelz! And oh yeah, get in the weight room, will ya. Check out the video below as I go over two very important factors in getting the most out of your game: Efficiency and the “hierarchy” of off-season training for basketball.
Let me know if you have any questions or thoughts in the comments section below…
Now, go get in the gym and work on those handles, your pull-up J, and work to expand the range on your shot. And remember, do everything with a purpose! For every dribble, every shot, and every move, I want you to visualize that you are being guarded by the best defender in your conference. Go get it!
“Follow Through” when DRIBBLING the Basketball
January 18, 2012 by danny · Leave a Comment
When I work with basketball players I always emphasize the concept of “following through” when dribbling the basketball… kind of like when you you shoot the ball. I could explain more but, it’s easier to do in video…
I haven’t done many basketball posts lately, but I plan on adding more skill related posts in the future. If you are a player or have a son/daughter that plays, make sure you share this video with them… it will go a long way in helping him/her better develop those handles (the good kind of handles ).
If you have any questions or thoughts, please leave a comment below.
Happy handling!
A Couple New Drills to Improve Your Dribbling Skeelz…
August 31, 2010 by danny · Leave a Comment
You’ve been doing your “traditional” ball handling drills… crossover dribble, figure-8 pass, figure-8 dribble, reverse spin, single-leg dribble, etc. etc. You have a million options. And most of them are great drills. Continue to use your more traditional moves/drills to keep working on your handles. But once you feel completely comfortable with them, it’s time to step it up and take your handles to the next level. This is where I start to add in “combination moves,” and some more advanced “speed dribbling” drills.
The first one is “between the legs/drop-off behind the back” (as opposed to the “wrap-around” back the back dribble)…
This move (when there is a real live defender in front of you) works best when starting the ball in your left hand, and going between your legs to your right, and then bringing from right to left (the drop-off behind the back part) into your “shooting pocket.” And vice-versa if you shoot with your left hand. Some keys to making this a successful move in attempt to create space between you and the defender in order to get your shot off;
-POUND the ball into the ground (well, this should always be done anyway, but is especially important in this move as you need to get the ball to your shooting pocket quickly before the defender has time to recover).
-When you go between your legs, lean to the right (if you are right handed) as you want the defender to think you are about to make a “single move” (as opposed to a combo move), going hard to your right.
-Finish the move. On the two dribbles think, “POUND, POUND!” But that is not good enough. You must then bring the ball QUICKLY to your shooting pocket (think of “slapping the ball,” when bringing it to your shooting pocket). Do NOT get lazy on this part. You don’t want to get the defender on skates, and then slowly bring the ball to your shooting pocket, giving him time to recover.
-Practice it at game speed, as if the quickest guy/girl on the court is guarding you. BUT, start at your own speed, and over time step it up to game speed.
-Start the drill back by half court (or further) in order to get a bunch of repetitions in, before getting into shooting range.
And what it looks like when watching from the front…
Next, a new speed dribbling drill for you, called “1-2s” …
As you heard in the explanation, start off at your own speed and work your up to, as fast as possible – while keeping complete control of the ball.
As I noted in the opening, keep working on the fundamentals. Once you build your “ball handling foundation,” start to incorporate these two, very effective drills. Happy handling!
