Basketball Player Tips: Why Footwork is Key to Success

Here at Dr. Dish Basketball we pride ourselves at being knowledgeable in every aspect of the game. One of the most important skills a successful offensive player needs is proper footwork. This skill is what separates many great players from good players. The best players always focus on the small details and are continuously looking to get an edge on their opponent. Subtle changes in footwork can lead to more scoring opportunities and also lead to easier shots. The only way to become great at any skill is with hard work and dedication. One player that took footwork to the next level was Kobe Bryant. He often was able to get open shots just by shifting his feet before or after the catch. This is a rare talent and skill which takes countless hours in the gym to master.

Advanced footwork can be utilized anywhere on the offensive side of the floor. Kobe Bryant's footwork in the mid-range and post areas was absolutely amazing during his playing years. Kobe was great at reverse pivoting and creating space with the jab or by stepping across his defender. He also did a great job of splitting his feet on the fade-away jump shot. When Kobe split his feet, he was able to shimmy shake and go over either shoulder for the shot. The ability to go both ways and use footwork equally on both sides makes an offensive player a duel threat and much harder to guard.

Check out the video below to see some of Kobe's incredible footwork in action!

While we often focus on the offensive side, footwork is also important on the defensive end. If you pay attention to the details on the defensive end of the floor, you will find yourself making high level defensive plays and getting steals for easy basket opportunities. You don't need to be overly athletic to be a great defender if you have good feet and anticipation. The great thing about footwork is that offensively and defensively it goes hand and hand. If you want to be great at one, you must work at the other. Players: Take the time to to watch film of players like Kobe Bryant to see how they have mastered proper footwork on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.

There are players all over the world that do not believe they can play basketball because they lack quickness or athleticism. Of course those things help and make your margin of error larger, but players that are skilled and work hard can become extremely successful as well. There are a surplus of great trainers and also training equipment that can help players develop. Dr. Dish shooting machines have become one of the most sought out training tools in the world. College teams, pro teams, and high schools all over the country are taking their teams' to the next level with Dr. Dish. The ability to specifically create workouts tailored to each player efficiently with Skill Builder has never been done before. Dr Dish is truly changing the way players train and also helping coaches maximize the potential of their players!

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