Basketball NBA-level Tips

You can learn a lot from watching good players play the game. Watch top college and NBA players and learn from them:

- Watch how good scorers get open for shots

- Watch how good point guards run the offense and get the ball to scorers

Here are some things you can learn from watching NBA players.

Use your body to protect the ball

Using your body to protect the ball on offense is a very basic part of being a good offensive player. Pro players use this technique because it is so effective at giving you space to shoot the basketball.

For example, let's say you're on the perimeter, dribbling the ball to the right side of the floor. You should dribble with you right hand, with your left arm slightly extended (an "arm bar"). This keeps the defense away from the ball. They are separated from the ball by your body width, and even slightly further by your slightly extended arm. Simple stuff, but not all players apply this concept throughout the game, to the various other moves in which this concept is very important. Here are some examples of other times when using your body to protect the ball comes into play:

- Anytime you go hard to the basket for a lay-up, use your right hand (from the right side of the floor), and your left hand (from the left side of the floor). Again, a simple concept, but many people don't do this. Also, use your off-hand and body to keep the defense away from the ball. If the defense does go for the ball and tries to block the shot, they'll have to come all the way across your body, and will most likely get called for a foul.

- Anytime you're in the paint, shooting a close-in shot, use your outside hand to shoot the ball, and keep your body parallel to the baseline (when possible) during the shooting motion. This keeps the defense as far away as possible from the ball while you shoot.

For example, say you pick up a loose ball in the paint to the left side of the basket, with the defender to your right. Hold the ball firmly with both hands, but keep it to the left side of your body (to the outside and away from the defender). In this position, the ball is protected from the defender by your body width. As you go up for the shot, keep it to the left side of your body, away from the defense. Again, if they try to block the shot, they'll have to go completely across your body, and will likely get called for a foul.

If you were to keep the ball to the right side of your body (towards the defense), or if you turn your body inside, towards the middle of the floor, you actually make it much easier for the defense, giving them an opportunity for a steal or a blocked shot.

So the point is this: use your body to protect the basketball whenever possible. The further away from the defense you keep the ball, the better. Work hard at this simple, but important concept, and you'll be a better player. Watch a good NBA player on offense, and you'll see him keep his body between the ball and the defender.

Learn how to break a defender down like NBA players

At the most basic level, being a scorer requires breaking your defender down, one-on-one. Whether you knock down a jump shot over them, or take them off the dribble, you've got to create space for yourself to put the ball in the basket (on the shot or drive).

So how do the top scorers in college and the NBA create space? Let's focus on the three answers to that question.

First off, they are quick and explosive. Second, they have both good ball handling skills, and are good shooters. And thirdly, they use jab steps, dribble fakes, cross-over dribbles, and shot fakes to get the defender off-balance. Let's take a closer look at each of these areas so you can improve your one-on-one offensive skills.

Quickness and explosiveness
All good basketball players are good athletes. That means being in good shape (endurance wise), and also having good footspeed and agility. Work on these areas of your game by doing lots of cardio work (playing ball, running intervals, running stairs, etc.), and doing footspeed drills (jumping rope, plyometrics, running stairs, running sprints, etc.). The better shape you are in, and the quicker you are, the easier it'll be to take a defender off the dribble.

Good ball handling and shooting skills
If you can't shoot, no one will bother guarding you very closely. And if you can't dribble, a defender can crowd you to take away your shot, since they don't have to worry about you driving around them.

So how do you improve your shooting and ball handling skills? Simple. Work at it. Then work some more. And when you think you've done all you can, work at it some more. And don't just go through the motions. Push yourself at game speed. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Don't do what feels safe and easy. Work at an intensity level and with a focus level that you aren't used to, and that pushed you to improve.

Jab steps and shot fakes
This is the way to create space for yourself when you have the ball and are ready to operate. If you are in shooting range (and it's within the confines of the offense) and the defender backs off, knock down the jumper. If the defense is crowding you, that's when you have to force them to react, get them off balance, and then make them pay. Your job is to get them on their heels or up on their toes, get them to raise or lower their hands...somehow get them off-balance or out of position so you can make your move.

Use a jab step to back them away, and then knock down the jumper. Give a shot fake to get them leaning forward (and off-balance), then drive it to the rim. Or get them leaning one way and explode by them in the other direction with a cross-over dribble (watch Allen Iverson to get an idea of how effective this move can be).

Return to Playing Tips Page

Return to Home Page