D5

Well, I always hear that the good/great players can dribble both lefty and righty at just about the same skill level so I figure to improve my game I should practice on my left-handed dribbling since I need a good left-hand to play basketball this year (I'm a freshman). I rather use my right hand because I don't really feel comfortable using my left on a regular basis, at all. I'm always scared I'll turn it over when I use my left hand and because I'm not confident using that hand, I do mess up. I also have some trouble dribbling in traffic, often scared that all the hands around me will come up with the ball. Are there any good tips/drills (which you can explain well) which could help me improve?

I love the game of basketball and when watching people play (from the NBA to College to High School), I know what to do, what he/she should do but when I get in the game, I feel like I've lost all basketball intelligence I've ever had. Perhaps I'm scared I'll mess up but I don't know. I'm going to have to be smart since I'm playing in Open Runs at our gym against Varsity-level players to 20 year old and I'm only a 5"5', 13-year-old freshman. Again, any help would be appreciated.

I have this one flaw in shooting that people tell me screws up my shot. Instead of getting in my shooting stance and aligning my shot with the basket, I align my shot before getting into my shooting stance. People I've talked to say that I'm rushing my shot but I feel that if I do it any other way then what I currently do, I'll take too much time and the defender will get closer. Am I thinking correctly or stupidly?

I appreciate any help, at all. Thanks a lot.

Silent But Deadly

You sound exactly like me, man. I'm a freshman and I want to make the team, but I need to work in my confidence and drive. I need to work on dribbling with my off-hand (my left hand), and I need to work on being confident enough to drive in. Usually I never drive in because when I get the ball, I'm around the perimeter, and it's uncomfortable to catch at a stopped position, and just immediately sprint in. It's uncomfortable. I need to work on some kind of inside moves. If I get the ball around the paint I usually pivot and do a turnaround or a hookshot. I hate it. I need confidence.

Wagner2

I know this sounds cliche, but practice is the best thing you can do. Dribble full court sprints left-handed. Get confident. When you're playing a pick game in someones driveway make yourself use your left-hand. Gradually it'll come to you, you're young so you can still learn. Also, if you're a freshman playing against varsity level players and 20-year olds you should feel a little out of place. But it's great experience. As you keep on going up the ranks from jr. high - frosh - jv - var you'll learn what you can and can't do at the different levels. Honestly. if you're a 5'5" kid with only experience at the junior high level, and you play a senior pg on your jv team, he'll beat you offensively and defensively, nothing against you, but there's a big difference in the levels.

SBD - I don't know if this is also true for D5, but if you're trying out for the team, I first want to wish you the best of luck, but also give you a little advice. Coaches love hustle and commitment. Run the floor, go hard all the time, play intense defense, dive for loose balls, show up early, shoot after practice, be respectful when he talks, don't go against him. I know this are all petty things, but when it comes down to potential cuts, if you do those it'll make your coaches decision to cut you that much harder. I hardly played in jr. high., I averaged 0.5 PPG. I went out again my freshman year, and about half the people in our class were gone. I got a lot of playing time and experience. My sophomore year I was the leading scorer and rebounder on the jv team. I was the 6th man my junior year on varsity, and I was a starter, captain, and 2nd leading scoere/rebounder my senior season. I ended up with some post season honors and played in some all-star games and am curently playing ncaa d3. I'm not trying to boast about myself, but saying that if you stay with basketball, you really like it, and you make a lot of sacrifices (lifting, lots of shooting, etc), you can have a successful and fulfilling basketball career. Again, best of luck to the both of you.

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Tersk

Dribble up court using two balls.

For the other thing, just imagine that you are mucking around at home and play like you usually would, no pressure at all.

BG7

Hard, physical, hustle defense got me my spot last year. I worked my way into the starting lineup by bringing a 3 point game and passing game to the team. Smart and efficient play is a key. I hate to say it but you either have it or you don't and even with practice, you only can go as far as your natural talent will take you.

Jdaddy

Dude I used to be the same way, in my school we don't use freshman and stuff but I just turned 15 im in grade 10 and playing senior. I think the best practice is playing with better competition, if you mess up? well if your playing at lunch or before practice it doesn't really matter, my advice is just scrimmage lots and work on things you need to improve on.


Jdaddy

Killians

If you are wondering about your shooting technique, then quit. THe biggest screwup people do is thinking too much about it. If you go in and shoot a thousand shots a day, it doesn't matter if you throw the ball behind your back. Do it the same way every time and it will all work out.

If you want to improve your weak hand then all you have to do is use it. When dribbling up the floor and nobody's guarding you, throw it between your legs a few times. Confidence is 60% of ballhandling.