There isn't a basketball player alive that doesn't dream of having a quicker first step. Hall of Fame Coach John Wooden once said (paraphrased) give me five quick players versus five tall one's and we will beat you every time. However a quick first step isn't enough to turn you into a player. Michael Jordan, arguably one of, it not the greatest player of all time, could beat people consistently off the dribbler due to a combination of speed,
power and agility. My observations of Michael Jordan as a player drew me to the one
conclusion. That he was blessed with an ability most players don't have, the ability to
recover his center of gravity (COG) once it was violently "hurled" out of balance in
beating defenders to the basket. Gary Payton is also another example of a player with
great agility and balance. Many quick players can get by their defender, but few have the ability to adequately recover their balance and successfully execute the critical basketball skill: whether shot, pass, or changing directions of the dribble. Balance is also required
after explosive defensive footwork in order to stop an explosive penetrator attacking the
basket. Today's Playground Pointer is directed at teaching you some simply ideas about
developing first step quickness, balance and agility which together can take your game to another level. |
