Basketball Training: The Complete Offensive and Defensive Basketball Player

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Basketball Training: Characteristics of the Complete Offensive and Defensive Player

Below the list you will see here for concerning the specific traits of the complete offensive and defensive basketball player, we have also added a short list of characteristics which are common to being a complete player on both sides of the ball. We hope this page gives you a good start on becoming the great player you desire to be.

Traits of The Complete Offensive Player:

Game knowledge:
This is the ability of a player to recognize the finer details of the game of basketball. Some of these include, but are not limited to:

-Being able to know how a particular offensive set or scheme runs, and a general idea of basketball offense in general
-Having an intuition of how other players move in relation to the ball, as well as knowing how you should move with and without the ball
-Knowing the proper use of screens and cuts, as well as all players positions on the court at any given time in relationto the ball
-Understanding the areas of the court, their advantages and disadvantages, in relation to a particular rotation of the offense.
-Being able to define individual moves(cuts, screens, backscreens, post moves, drop-steps, pivots, backdoor cuts, flashes, curls, jump-stops, jab-step, dribbling techniques and moves, etc.), offensive patterns(their purpose and uses), and determine what action should be taken in a particularsituation

Court Awareness:
Learning to, and being able to know where you and team mates, are and should be on the court at any given time during play.

Court Vision:
Being able to see the court, and realizing what is happening, or about to happen around you. This is a common trait usually only displayed in players who have learned to handle the basketball effectively, so they are seeingahead of them without having to concentrate on the ball while dribbling.

Good Shooting Ability:
Any player who desires to be their best will be always improving on their consistency of making shots around and near the area of the court where they predominately play on offense.

Good Passing Ability:
Although it is imperative for one to know the proper passing form and techniques, good passing ability is a mainly a by-product of having court vision and awareness. If you gain skills in these areas you will usually have no problem making passes and finding an open teammate.

Desire to get rebounds:
This is something I try to stress heavily to my players at the Middle School level while on offense. It is really just as equally important at any other level as well. I explain to them, especially aggressive post players who may not be comfortable, who are inexperienced, or who are new to the position, that even though they might not be the biggest offensive threat to another team about getting the ball and making moves, they can score a lot of points simply by being super aggressive on the boards and getting second chance points off of put-backs.

Good Ball-Handling Skills:
This is a major issue, and a must have, for anyone who desires to play the guard position, whether it be as a 1,2, or 3. And with forwards, and centers, it should by no means be left unattended. Even big men need to know how to properly handle the ball in case a game situation dictates that they have the ball in their hands as the play advances.

Traits of the Complete Defensive Player

Well Conditioned:
Anyone who seeks to be a defensive force in basketball while shutting down their opponent, absolutely must be in good phyical shape. He/She needs to be long-winded and able to go full-speed for long stretches of time. Even the most phyically dominant athletes will only be able to play to their potential for a very short period of time if they are in poor shape. If you are better conditioned than your offensive opponent you will always have the advantage over him/her as the game wears on, regardless of what kind of offensive threat they are.

Anticipation:
This trait comes from learning the ways that an individual offensive player moves, whether it be through screens, cuts, post-moves, and the other various moves one might make. If you have a good knowledge of the individual moves, paths, and patterns a person tends to use on offense, you will have the advantage over them when guarding them. Many timesa good defensive player can anticipate a cross-over coming, and make the steal, before a really good ball-handler can even getit to the other hand, and they can do ti consistently.

Defensive Game Knowledge:
This is the ability to understand the concepts of help and recover, calling the screens,knowing to communicate what is going on with team mates, and anticipating passes, cuts, screens, flashes, etc.

Learning proper defensive techniques:
Leg-work, Foot-work, stance, ready postion, defensive slides, etc.

Recognizing positioning in relation to ball or play

Never quit attitude

Self-Explainatory Traits Common to any Complete Basketball Player:

Unselfishness:
Making sure to do all to be your very best, but never forgetting that it is a team sport, and while you are working to improve yourself, you should also be seeking to help your team mates improve, and use your talent for the benifit of the team as a whole

Desire to improve:
Willingness to practice longer and harder than others, at practice & many times on your own

Dedicated:
Be there on time and ready, when you're expected to be, and being willing to do whatever it takes to improve yourself and your team. The willingness to push ones self and work hard, even if and when others don't

Determination:
Setting it in your heart to do anything you need to be your best, even when your mind and body sometimes tells you otherwise

For and overview of this and much more go to Basketball Training for Complete Player Development

If you haven't yet, you can follow this link to see a ton more basketball training tips and drills

SBI!

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