[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
[quote]WhiteFlash wrote:
[quote]Spidey22 wrote:
Good thread.
WF, I play pick-up ball pretty consistently, and play on 2 intramural teams. I’m an awkward size, 6’2", so in league play kind of a too short for post, not skilled enough for guard position. If there’s someone I play like, it’s honestly a poor man’s Manu Ginobili. lol. But my handles really hold me back I feel.
I’m not terrible at handling the ball, just in middle/high school they always had me in the post, and I had one of those old school coaches who were like “big men don’t dribble”, sp years of practice is lacking. So do you have any tips, drills, etc, at becoming a better ball-handler?
Ohh, and inb4 ball-handling gay jokes [/quote]
What’s good, Spidey? For starters, get low, keep the ball on your fingertips and POUND it into things floor. Start with your weak hand, keep the ballless than a foot off the ground and go 'til your shoulders are on fire. Then switch hands. Do that 'til you feel comfortable, then try this: Starting on the baseline facing the freethrow line, get low and walk up the key dribbling between your legs every step, then turn at the foul line (still dribbling), then turn at the key, then turn at three baseline. When you get back to the starting point, go backwards.
So, you’re essentially “tracing” the paint. If you lose ball, you have to start over. When you can complete one round without fucking up, try behind the back. When that’s smooth, go through the legs from reverse. When that’s smooth, work on crossovers (weak hand first). After crossovers from the front are smooth, work on reverse crossovers which is the same thing except instead of bringing the ball back in front of you, you put it behind your back.
Focusing on riding the line will keep your handle sharp and force you to not get sloppy. A tight handle and the ability to hit the one to two dribble pull-up are the two most effective one-on-one offensive weapons in your bag 'cause they can both open up the entire floor. Hope this helped bud.[/quote]
Sweet brother, much appreciated. I feel confident at the 3 point line inward, but I want to able to bring the ball up the court confidently even with some pressure.
Definitely the tracing drills 3-4x a week. Thanks dude. Need to keep my game on point, ya never know, I might get matched up with one of those streetball players who happens to be better then MJ lololololol[/quote]
Haha, no worries man. Also, get on the jump rope. It is the cheapest and best conditioning tool you’ll find, and the rhythm, reflexes and quick feet you’ll get are unmatched. Jump rope. DO IT.
