The Change of Direction Shot Series will help you improve your footwork and shooting now
The game of basketball is all about footwork and shooting. To continue to improve your game, you must work on these skills every day. One way to raise your game to the next level is by using the Change of Direction Shot Series, which will help hone your shooting, footwork and dribbling skills. The drill focuses on important aspects of footwork and shooting, as players must learn to change direction while dribbling the basketball. All you need is a basketball, goal, some cones and a chair. To see how it's done, click the link at the bottom of this page and our On Court Player Development® team will walk you through the exercise.
Point of emphasis
While doing the drills, remember to keep your head up while dribbling and always change direction in a low stance. Begin with the ball on the right corner of half-court. Dribble along the sideline to the first cone, stop, take two dribbles, and then dribble behind your back. Dribble to the elbow cone, plant and make a reverse pivot and perform the following shot series:
• Jump Shot – Must go right into the shot after the pivot; no extra dribbles • Lay-Up – Explode toward the basket; keep ball on the side of your body • Quick Stop – Shoulders and feet square to the basket; shoot a semi-hook shot away from the defense • Duck-In – Plant your inside foot toward the basket; reverse pivot on the outside foot for the shot • Up and Under – Plant inside foot toward the basket; reverse pivot on the outside foot; fake the shot; explode for lay-up • Two-Step Step-Back – Plant and push off the inside foot onto the outside foot; shot is taken off the outside foot • Opposite Foot Step-Back – Plant and push off the outside foot; land on both feet for the shot
Common corrections
After you've rolled through the exercise, step back and evaluate what you have done. Remember, you're going to get better by practicing. Following are some of the most common errors a player makes during the exercise.
• Doesn't come to a complete stop at each cone. • Jump Shot – Take an extra dribble for better balance • Lay-Up – Swing the ball out in front, which will allow the defense to deflect it • Quick Stop – Shoot directly in front instead of out wide, away from the defense • Duck-In – Take an extra step on the reverse pivot; fade away instead of pivoting all the way around • Up and Under – Take an extra step (players tend to glide instead of completely stopping) • Two-Step Step-Back – Perform one-step step-back rather than two-step step-back OC
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
