Can Your Youth Basketball Player Complete This Move?

The real question is do they have the athletic ability to play defense, dribble past their man, create space to get off their shot, etc?

This type of training goes by many different names ranging from agility training to footwork skills. Most of the skills can be taught without a basketball and usually cover a variety of sports.

For basketball purposes, they need to be taught:

* How to jump and land
* Move in different directions
* Elusiveness
* How to make quick power moves, stop/slowdown, and make that
power move again

I was watching the Dallas Mavericks play last week and the announcer commented how Dirk Nowitzki's basketball coach demanded lots of footskill work and encourage him to play another sport.

While he is a very talented player at 7'1", his work habits on the very basics has made him into a great player.

I believe all youth should play at least 2 sports. They will be able to use different muscles groups and further enhance those that are used in multiple sports.

Below is the play button to a fun interview with Barry Thompson regarding agility training.

Side note: There no basketball secrets. Whatever knowledge you receive graciously pass along to another coach, player, parent with expecting anything in return. It will come back to you in great quantities.