There has always been a debate between the old school and the modern day hoopers on how to become a successful basketball player. Old school hoopers will swear by playing in the park or in the driveway, while young coaches now heavily focus on skills training. Which is better? What's the answer to this ongoing discussion? Let's discuss both sides and see where you fit in your basketball career!
Skills Training
Skills training has become a hot topic the past 5-10 years and it continues to gain steam as the newer generation gets involved in hoops. There are more resources available to athletes and the game of basketball continues to grow. There are basketball trainers and facilities in every city in America. These trainers have or at least claim to have the knowledge and ability to teach basketball at a high level. With our Dr. Dish Trainers, it's our goal to have you work out with someone's whose specialties, style, and personality are compatible with your training goals. In the last 5 years, more and more trainers are gaining traction on social media. The large social media audience comes with a lot of praise and scrutiny. On social media, everything within a player's game gets dissected and analyzed and this is equally true for trainers.
So, what exactly is skills training? Basketball skills training is focused on improving aspects of a player's game to maximize their potential on the basketball court. Most skills trainers will focus on how the player can score in a 1-on-1 setting and also learn specific skills that will help them be successful on the offensive side of the court. Most players are organically put into roles on their team that they may not like and skills training gives players the opportunity to not only be better at their role but also expand that role with time.
1-on-1 Play
Playing 1-on-1 basketball is a great way to put your skills to the test. On offense, players get to work on handling pressure from defense, reading the defender, creating space, and their shot. On defense, players are applying pressure, reading the offender, and hustling for rebounds. 1-on-1 basketball is a great way to practice game situations.
When I was young, the majority of basketball I played was 1-on-1 hoops. This included playing against my brother, cousins, friends and the older guys at the parks. The goal was to be the best at king of the court and this led to respect around the neighborhood and city. You earned your stripes playing tough basketball and through learning how to play with the older, more experienced players. One of the main reasons I believe I fell into this category was because the resources available to me were limited.
Today, players have access to a lot more online basketball resources like Dr. Dish that provide drills, tips, and even virtual camps. I didn’t have access to trainers or gyms, but I did have a basketball and eventually a hoop in my driveway. Without guidance and instant access to drills, I naturally gravitated towards competitive play. This was a way for me to advance my skills and experience growth in my game.
As I got older and started playing on teams things became more organized. However, at no point did I ever find a drill or new skill online or through a trainer. I personally believe the desire to play and have fun came with neighborhood competition and this gave me the base I needed to deal with success and failure as I got older.
Is one better than the other?
Most trainers believe there are benefits to a combination of 1-on-1 play and skills training for players. Some old school hoopers lean towards just “playing” and often say skills training is gimmicky. I understand both perspectives and have lived both sides of this story.
I believe that young players should learn to love the game by simply playing it. This could be with friends, family or people at the local gym. Once a player has shown love for the game and a desire to play, it's a good time to present the option to train with a coach/trainer that will help explain or teach the game. I believe players learn some of the same things organically at the park but they can potentially learn quicker when training with a trainer or coach.
Most players fall into the category of being less skilled or naturally less athletic at an early stage. This may deter players from continuing to play , and a great way to avoid this is by helping a player understand strengths and weaknesses at an early age. In doing so, players can find early success that will have them desiring more. I also believe there is a healthy balance of 1-on-1 training that needs to be incorporated and organic play as well. Players must learn, then apply, and repeat. Without this, the cycle of learning becomes stagnant and bad habits may develop. With more training tools like Dr. Dish Shooting Machines accessible to players, they can continue training at home, before and after hitting the gym.
what basketball training should be
The most important thing to remember is that basketball should be fun, competitive, and an opportunity for players to be part of something larger than themselves. The great qualities and traits associated with hard working athletes help down the line within the workplace and family. Every player’s path is different and everyone’s resources look different as well. Luckily for kids these days there are resources available like Dr. Dish to help players maximize skill development and also provide knowledge at their fingertips. At Dr. Dish we want to make great products that are accessible for any budget. We offer a variety of products to help players level up their game like the iC3 shot trainer starting at $499 or the Dr. Dish Home starting at $105/month with financing. Our goal is to help develop complete players so that every player has the opportunity to maximize their potential!
In the end, everyone has their own opinion and may believe more in skills training vs just regular play at the park or vice versa. However, it’s undeniable that both will help players become better. Every kid is different and every player learns at different speeds, so it's important to take this into consideration when guiding young players on their journey.
If you’re a trainer, coach or player and would like more information on how to take your game to the next level be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media @drdishbball. Every day we’re pumping out new skills and drills along with great motivational and inspirational content. Most importantly though remember to always train hard, train smart, and train with a purpose!
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