Play Better Basketball

by Kathy Brook and Dawn Smyth

ISBN: 978-1-77085-973-9

First published 2019

186 pages

Publisher: Firefly Books, Canada

Cover design: Gareth Lind

5 / 5 Stars

A great book demonstrating the various skill sets required to play basketball without ever being overzealous or ‘preachy’ or supercilious.

Great drills, great photos accompanying the drills, great down to earth descriptions of the key concepts, what they mean and how they can help get to the basket.

No ‘tech’ speak, straightforward language. This book would have got 5 / 6 Stars if there had been more court diagrams (X’s and O’s), but other than that the book if fantastic for those looking to draw up a training programme.

The key takeaways are as follows:

• Front of rim: Directly underneath the front of the rim.
• Split line: An imaginary line splitting the court into left and right sides.
• Low post: The area between both blocks in and around the bottom of the key (see diagram below).
• High post: The area in and around the free-throw line and the top of the key (see diagram below).

The shooting arc is 45 degrees, a shown in the diagram above.

• Inside foot: Closest to the split line of basket
• Outside foot: Furthers from the split line or basket
• Layups: Land where you released the ball NOT further or you will go out of play. Ensure you drive your knee up to ensure you land correctly.
• Hook shot: Use wrist and arm and follow-through. Inside hand keeps off defenders. Aim for middle of the white square.
• Chair layups (see diagram below): Partner passes, and you go over and under the two chairs as shown.

• Speed dribble: The ball is at 45 degrees AND your body is at 45 degrees.
• Crossover: Use a crossover if the defender lunges at the ball
• Cone drill: Pick up cone whilst stationary dribbling, and put it down again with the different hand
• Fake: Fake high, pass low: Fake low, pass high.
• Dead ball: When the dribble finishes, capitalize on this and apply strong body or hand pressure but DO NOT reach
• Dribble: Dribble with purpose. THINK BEFORE YOU DRIBBLE.
• Self-toss: Toss the ball in front of you with a backward spin
• Box-out: Make ‘slight’ contact, plant your foot in between their foot, seal them by being as wide as possible
• Cutting: Only cut after making a connection with a team mate. Change your speed suddenly to surprise a team mate.
• Sealing: The arm in contact with the defender should be at 90 degrees NEVER extended
• Screening: Two offensive players work to get open
• Picking: Two offensive players work to get open BUT one has the ball
• CUT: if one player cuts to the rim, the other player pops out.
• Two-ball screening drill: Follow the instructions below

• Picks: Picks are used to get the player with the ball open.
• 1-on-1: Dynamic, Static and Live
• Dynamic (Moving): Create an advantage by catching the ball whilst cutting
• Static (Stationary): Player receives the ball but is contained by the defender. Player should use jab or shot-fake to create advantage.
• Live 1-on-1: You have already begun your dribble. make your decision on the read you get from your defender.
• Jab Step: Use a jab step to read your defender and see how to create an advantage