Boost your Basketball IQ

by Jason Calabrese

ISBN: 979-8-9911523-0-3

79 pages

Cover design: Zizi Iryaspraha Subiyarta

5 / 5 Stars

A great basketball book , full of good recommendations that are easily applicable and easily trainable. One of the best basketball books I have read.

There are 8 chapters,

Here are some great quotes from each of these sections

Defense really does win games

Always keep your body between the basket and the ball
Get low and wide, the lowest person wins
Extend your hands and you will triple the area you can cover
If you get ‘beat’ always sprint to catch-up
Always use your left hand to try and block a shot
Whenever you are on defence always keep your hands up
Don’t lunge if they are dribbling or haven’t started yet
Once the dribble has stopped you can lunge
Close the offense quickly once they have given up their dribble
When checking a taller guard, pick him up from half-way and keep him out of the spots
Against a taller big man, plant your foot against his closest foot to you.
Avoid fouling someone taking a 3-point shot
Never foul someone taking a bad or forced shot
Never foul someone far away from the basket

The Do’s and Dont’s of Transition Defense

To prevent a fast break the point guard on offense is also in charge of the defense
The PG should direct his teammate nearest to the top of the key to get back in his place. Speak clearly, loudly and specifically call names to ensure the correct player gets the message.
When you are getting back on defence run at the player furthest up the court
Attack the ball handler aggressively with the goal of getting him off a direct path to the hoop or to get him to give up his dribble
Call your teammate by name first and then let him know who to get
In a fast-break situation leave your man if there is another player up the court who is a bigger threat to score

Key Words

How to increase your scoring

Move your defender off your line of attack
Attack in a straight line (once the defender is off your path)
Line up on the nail for a free throw, same foot as shooting arm on the nail
Develop a consistent routine every time you got for a free throw
Square your shoulders so you release the ball at a 90-degree angle to the backboard
Stay low to the ground on approach and explode to the hoop when you shoot
Make your release high and soft
Start practice aiming for the top corner of the square, and as you master that then attempt to shoot higher and higher to avoid having them get blocked

Tips for Winners

Be relentless
Be reliable
Accept responsibility for turnovers or bad shots
Possession is everything
Know the situation
Do not take chances
Use your hands to make a target whenever you cut to the ball
Hide behind the person taking a free throw and then steal the ball after the shot

Drill suggestions

Calhoun’s Box Out drill (From UConn) – 2 players rebound drill BUT the ball has to bounce on the floor before they can shoot
Finishing in Traffic – 3 people from the nail, 1 ball, first 2 bounce the ball from the backboard, for the third player to catch and layup without dribbling. The two players in front can put their hands up on defence but do not try to block the shot. See image below

Layups with a chaser – 2 lines at half way, coach with the ball. RH line runs and receives the pass from the coach. Second line must chase, then they swap lines and return the ball to the coach. See image below

Redirecting ball handlers on the break – Two players one with ball. Ball handler dribbles to halfway, defender runs and touches baseline. The aim is for the defender to direct the ball handler away from the hoop to give more time for his team mates to get back on defence. See image below.

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