Dear Coach, Parents, Players
Welcome to the 3rd addition of our 2012 19th annual spring league weekly newsletter. Make sure to view our website for schedule information, paperwork deadlines, and upcoming events. Our #1 priority for JAM continues helping coaches and parents build confidence in today’s youth. Time is moving quickly so make sure your paperwork is completely up to date and looking for tournament updates. Don't forget to register for Dave Hopla Shooting Clinic and Summer Camps
- Mark Sharpley
Footwork in basketball is a lost art. Too many coaches and players only emphasize waist high muscle memory. A lot of times they simply focus on shooting mechanics, passing, and other offensive and defensive skills. Muscle memory below the waist is just as important as muscle memory above it. Without it, athletes will develop bad habits which lead to problems such as poor balance and traveling violations. It’s important to develop footwork early on in the skill development process. You need to show players how to move on the floor in addition to the other basic skills. Footwork should be a priority along with basic passing, ball handling, defense, and shooting skills. Coaches, parents, and players can utilize computer tech to get video clips on players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin McHale. Their impressive offensive post footwork froze their opponents resulting in many made shots. The same tech can find footwork drills for guard play, ball handling, and defensive work, among others.
Great NBA work out instructors Tim Grover at Attack Athletic provides NBA workouts for current player Dwayne Wade and worked exclusively with Michael Jordan during his playing career. He focused day one on emphasizing footwork over everything else.
The foundation of increasing knowledge of footwork on the offensive and defensive end of the game should continue to develop. On offense coaches should always want players shot ready. This means that players are crouched, have their hands up, and are ready to shoot. It also means that feet have to be set. For right-handed players athletes should have their left foot staggered in front of their right foot. On the flight of the ball, right-handed players are taught to step with their left foot first, then to bring their right foot forward on the catch. For left-handed players, foot positioning should be the opposite. By stepping into their shot, it is easier for players to stay low, use their legs, and maintain maximum momentum for their shot. Being shot ready and stepping into your shot using the afore mentioned technique allows you to maintain your pivot foot and free foot every time. When we are consistent in our footwork, making different moves with the basketball out of a catch becomes easier.
Mastering proper footwork is important for the development of many offensive and defensive skills. When developing a player’s shot, post moves, attacking the rim, ball handling, the euro step, defensive sliding, defensive positioning, correct footwork is paramount in the success of your training program. There are endless drills to practice footwork. Coaches, players, and parents just must research to find outstanding skill building techniques to improve player’s ability, skill, technique, and confidence.
If a player is ever going to make it to the next level, whether it is middle school, high school, college, or the pros, they need to practice good footwork. Start at an early age and continue to work on refining skills. Without correct footwork, it is impossible to properly teach players the many different skills needed to be successful playing the game of basketball.
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