The Next Level Basketball Movement is Underway!

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June 6th, 2011 | Boca Raton, FL Campers entered the "TA" Cloud to Next Level

It’s was a fun and energetic day for eager basketball players today in Boca Raton, FL.  Youth from ages 7- 17 jumped out of their end of school daze and started their first official week of summer at the Taylored Athletes Basketball Camp.

The day started with a full stretch and dynamic aerobic workout for preventative injury precaution. Once the group got warmed up and loose for the day’s activities, the work began.   It was work from the beginning; each athlete received a player development scorecard that evaluated 7 key basketball abilities.

1. Efficiency of Basketball Stance
2. Dribble & Ball Handling
3. Shooting Accuracy
4. Core Strength
5. Defender Separation
6. Proper arm extension with wrist follows through to have an effective dribble
7. Court Lateral quickness

The core element of the day taught to young athletes' was how to hold the ball firmly with a proper basketball grip. Before a good basketball player can become a great ball handler, shooter, or passer, he or she must understand the secret to great ball control. A strong basketball Grip!

Tip 1 of the day:

Most defenders, eager to knock the ball away from you, 9 out of 10 times will never swipe UP at the basketball. 90% of all attempts to knock the ball away by the defender will be an attempt in a downward swipe at the basketball.

Therefore, being in Triple Threat Position is Key. At the Taylored Athletes Next Level Basketball Camp, youth learned how to hold the ball with their finger tips pointing UP toward the sky, the ball at shoulder level, which allows athletes to absorb the impact of a defenders swipe at the ball. When holding the ball with their finger tips pointing toward the ground, it is more likely for the ball to slide through the sweaty grooves of an athlete’s hand, making it easier for the ball to be dislodged and knocked out of their hands.

Correcting Technique: Athletes must begin in a low and balanced stance in triple threat position with the shooting hand placed directly under the ball, wrist flexed back, so the ball sits atop the shooting hand. With the guide hand set on the side of the ball, the thumb must be pointed at the player, while the index, middle, ring, and pinky finger, all point upward as the athlete grips the ball.

In this position, players are poised for a quick shot, ready to absorb the thrust from a defenders attempt to make contact with the ball during their swipe at stealing the ball.

Tip 2 Of the Day:

After securing the ball from an defenders attempt to knock the ball away. All players must now creatively and efficiently maneuver the ball to avoid contact by a defender.

TA's Over the Toes... Across Your Chest Rip Through Technique

Defenders are relentless in their pursuit of the basketball.  Athletes may successfully avoid the first attempt by a defender to knock the ball away; however they can't keep the ball poised in the same position for more than 2 seconds.

Over the Toes.... Across Your Chest Rip Through Technique is a technique I developed to teach youth a fast and efficient way to keep the ball guarded while a man is in front of them attempting to knock the ball away.

Technique: (Example for a Right Handed Player) -After completion, Players will be able to take their first secure dribble pass the defender with their arm bar raised to protect the ball,  their shoulder would be low, and behind the defense, which is needed to keep the ball out in front of your body to get the ball pass the defender. The first dribble will be safe and secure.

Step 1: Begin in a low stance in triple threat position Wrist flexed back with finger tips pointed toward the sky.
Step 2: (During Defenders first swipe down at the ball) Quickly Swing the ball over your toes from Right to Left maintaining wrist flexed for fingers pointing upward.
Step 3: (Defender hand is low) Rip the ball back across your chest with fingers pointed up, elbows pointed out toward your shoulders.
Step 4: Ball is now on your right side. To gain spacing from the defender, step directly toward the defender with your (Left Foot) opposite foot of the side of your anchor pivot foot (Right Foot) and place your chin over your left shoulder to maintain visual contact with the defender.
Step 5: After you've created separation from the defender. You can take your first dribble with your right hand stepping with that left foot extended pass the defender.

Now you can enjoy a safe and secure first dribble pass the defender with explosion and accuracy.

Enjoy,

James Taylor

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