Explosive Jumping Ability

[studbucket]

Check out the Air Alert program - http://airalert.com/

If you don't want to pay $30, I found the PDF for Air Alert 3 here: http://www.snigel.nu/temp/aa3.pdf

I used this for 4ish weeks one summer (before getting too busy with work and school), and I noticed a difference in just that time of a few inches. It's a ton of work, but it'll definitely work your legs.

[Nathan_OS]

Now I have a really tough question. I'm 6'5. With pretty long arms. When driving, how do you finish strong around the basket cause I usually finger roll it, and my coach calls it weak **** Help me out here fellas

[Nathan_OS]

...w.o dunking.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nathan J

Now I have a really tough question. I'm 6'5. With pretty long arms. When driving, how do you finish strong around the basket cause I usually finger roll it, and my coach calls it weak **** Help me out here fellas

It's a mindset for me. Finger rolls are definitely a part of my arsenal, but they're not a product of avoidance. I definitely don't back down from contact. If a defender has decided to challenge me and he isn't in position to take a charge, I will go right at him. Even with my relatively small stature (6'3'' 170) I'm prepared to go through people.

It's hard to judge your finger rolls without seeing them. A lot of strong players utilize finger rolls. But I've also coached a player that was also a long 6'5'' (like you describe yourself) and his finger rolls were kind of. . .well. . .weak. He seemed to use them as a fallback in lieu of contact. As in, instead of powering through a moving body in front of him and finishing at the rack, he'd settle for an awkward finger roll attempt from 4-6 feet away.

But truthfully, I think the mindset is the big thing. I look at drives to the basket as an opportunity to dish out some punishment to my defenders. If someone's angling me to get in position to block my shot, I will instead square them up and plan to go directly through them.

[Nathan_OS]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

It's a mindset for me. Finger rolls are definitely a part of my arsenal, but they're not a product of avoidance. I definitely don't back down from contact. If a defender has decided to challenge me and he isn't in position to take a charge, I will go right at him. Even with my relatively small stature (6'3'' 170) I'm prepared to go through people. It's hard to judge your finger rolls without seeing them. A lot of strong players utilize finger rolls. But I've also coached a player that was also a long 6'5'' (like you describe yourself) and his finger rolls were kind of. . .well. . .weak. He seemed to use them as a fallback in lieu of contact. As in, instead of powering through a moving body in front of him and finishing at the rack, he'd settle for an awkward finger roll attempt from 4-6 feet away. But truthfully, I think the mindset is the big thing. I look at drives to the basket as an opportunity to dish out some punishment to my defenders. If someone's angling me to get in position to block my shot, I will instead square them up and plan to go directly through them.

Sometimes I see a smaller defender in front of me, (5/10ish) and we both would jump and I would panick my *** off. I only do that when I jump off 2 feet though.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nathan J

Sometimes I see a smaller defender in front of me, (5/10ish) and we both would jump and I would panick my *** off. I only do that when I jump off 2 feet though.

Yep. We've all been there. I had to look inside at some point and come to the conclusion that I was the guy coming into the paint at full speed. It's up to the defender to stop me. Furthermore, the only way I'm going to get called for a foul is if the defender properly takes a charge. Otherwise, it's on the defender to find a way to stop you while trying not to touch you too much. He's at a big disadvantage. If there's contact, it's likely going your way. Basically, you're in control of the situation.

Also, if it's the two foot jumping that worries you the most when a defender is stepping up to help, try to remember to put your body between your defender and the ball when you can (particularly when coming along the baseline). I think a lot of people would be surprised how effective a low jumping player can be in the game of basketball as long as they use their body correctly.

Of course, a lot of this depends on your first step and quickness and whatnot. I can't stop thinking of you as my gangly former 6'5'' guy I coached who loped all about the court, seemingly stuck between normal speed and slow motion. So, make sure you're working on your first step and quickness. Even if you feel you're already quick, just remind yourself you can be even quicker.

[Nathan_OS]

Na. I get past my defender pretty easily.

Say I'm running and theres a defender on the side of me.

[studbucket]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nathan J

Na. I get past my defender pretty easily. Say I'm running and theres a defender on the side of me.

I'd say that's when you just need 2 things:
1) The ability to go up with either hand
2) And the strength to fend off the defender with your arm/shoulder/body on the other side

If you go can up with the other hand, the only option they've got is to foul you. It especially helps if you can get "under" them, effectively cutting them off from the basket, giving you a clear lane.

For instance, if I beat a guy off the dribble going left, and he's staying somewhat close to me, but I've got a step, I won't just go straight to the basket, because then I'm also giving him a clear lane at the basket and a chance to get his hands into me or to block the shot. Instead, I'd veer slightly back inside or use a hop step to get myself between him and the basket, and then use my momentum to finish. For instances like that, if you can do a layup "right next" to the basket, that helps. As in, just a split second after you release, your hand is basically hitting the backboard. That leaves very little time for the ball to be swatted away, and you're using the rim to block anyone trying to come from the weakside.

I am not sure if that helped at all