3 Underrated Skills Basketball Players Should Practice
When watching the basketball greats, it’s easy to get lost between dunks and step-back-3-pointers. But if you watch carefully, there’s countless details that elite players master in every possession. Off-ball movement, rebounds, defensive communication, playing the right pass at the right moment, all contribute to every win.
In Asphalt Green Basketball’s Developmental Academy, we help athletes thrive on the court. Starting with our rookies, kids learn fundamentals such as dribbling, footwork, passing, and shooting technique that they can put to the test in youth leagues. As athletes progress, we implement skill assessment clinics run by our USA certified coaching staff to identify areas for growth and improvement.
Because we know what it takes to compete at the highest level, we also know the most common mistakes young athletes make in their training. As you gear up for your winter season, we asked our Asphalt Green Basketball coaches three underrated skills to develop.
1. Footwork
Proper footwork impacts the most important aspects of basketball, including scoring, defense, shooting consistency, post moves, and plenty more. On offense, great footwork can help you create separation from your defender, score in the post, ensure your shot is smooth and aligned, and help you make sharp, effective cuts off the ball. On defense, lateral movement can make you a lockdown defender, stop unnecessary fouling, and secure positioning on rebounds.
Featured Footwork Training Drill: Box Drill
- Mark a small square on the court (or visualize one) about 5×5 feet.
- Start at the front-left corner in an athletic stance.
- Move forward to the front-right corner (quick, controlled steps).
- Shuffle laterally to the back-right corner.
- Backpedal to the back-left corner.
- Shuffle laterally back to the start.
- Repeat 5–8 times with speed while keeping hips low and chest up.
2. Weak-Hand
At a competitive level, being able to drive and score with both hands is a critical skill. Having an effective non-dominant hand makes you significantly more versatile, unpredictable, and effective on the court. Defenders won’t be able to force you in a single direction, and you’ll be able to resist on-ball pressure if you can dribble comfortably with both hands.
Featured Weak Hand Drill: Cone Dribbling & Layup:
- Set up 5-6 cones from below half-court to the paint in a diagonal pattern
- Dribble around each cone exclusively with your non-dominant hand, picking up speed as you become more comfortable
- Once at the end of the court, finish at the rim with an off-hand layup or floater.
3. Shot Preparation
The truth is, whether you make a shot depends as much on what you do before you shoot as your release. Shot preparation helps you develop a consistent shooting form and technique that you can replicate from anywhere on the court. Great shooters always have their feet set, hands ready to receive a pass, and body aligned with the rim, no matter their shooting angle. It also allows you to get shots off quickly, before defenders have time to contest.
Sample Shot Preparation Drill: Catch-and Shoot
- Start on the wing with a partner
- Begin a few steps off your spot so you have to move into the shot.
- Sprint from your starting position to your shooting spot.
- As the ball is passed, step into your shooting position using either a 1–2 step or a hop
- Catch the ball with your hands up and ready to release
- Shoot and repeat from different angles around the court.
Round Out Your Game with Asphalt Green Basketball
No matter your child’s age, skill level, or goals, AG Basketball has a program to help you develop your skills and grow your passion for the game.
Choose a class for your child’s skill level, join a league, or take a private lesson to get on the court. We can’t wait to welcome you!
