Secret to Improve Girls Basketball Skills

I watched a youtube video of Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies point guard, going through some basketball dribbling drills. This young man has some great dribbling skills.

He is dribbling the basketball in front of his body, to the side of his body, between his legs, around the back, using both hands at the same time. He can handle the basketball just as effectively with his left hand as his right hand. You can tell that he has been working on his skills for a long period of time because of how confident he looks.

In his message about the video, he describes that the video is just the beginning of his workout routine he performs EVERYDAY of the summer. The video was just the warm up. It was a very intense warm up.

How does this relate to improving girls basketball skills? Mike Conley said that the video was a part of his everyday summer workout routine. Mike Conley knows the key to improving his game and reaching his goals. He did something everyday. To improve your skills do something everyday. Or do something consistently.

I was known as a great shooter. But how did I become a great shooter? I did what Mike Conley said he did during the summer. I was consistently working on my shooting. I would practice my free throws. I would practice my 3 point shots. I would practice shooting from the corners.

By Patosha Jeffery

Girls Basketball Shooting Secret Revealed

During my sophomore year at the University of Memphis, I hit 5 out of 6 three pointers against St. John's University. My junior year at Hamilton High School I scored 45 points in a single game against Craigmont High School. As a player at Sherwood Junior High, I hit 16 out of 17 free throws against Snowden Junior High school. I ended up with over 30 points in that game. How could I accomplish such feats during my basketball career?

Before entering junior high school, we lived in an apartment that did not have basketball goals. So I created my own. My step father took a milk crate and knocked the bottom out of it. Not long after, we moved to some apartments that had 4 basketball courts. I was in heaven. I was always up there playing basketball. Even on days that I went to the beauty shop to get my hair done. Once I got back home, I was back on the court.

In junior high school, I saved my allowance and purchased my own basketball goal to have at my grandmother's house. After meals with a full stomach, I was in the back of the house shooting on my goal.

At an early age, I knew the importance of always working on my shooting without even knowing it. I never imagined that because I was constantly shooting on a crate, at the court up the street and in my grandmother's back yard would be the key to my hitting 5 out of 6 threes, scoring 45 points and hitting 16 out of 17 free throws.

By Patosha Jeffery

How To Dominate Girls Basketball In Your City

It is really quite simple to dominate girls basketball in your area. Follow these tips to see how.

Have the Right Attitude

First you must have the right attitude. I don't remember the author, but I love this statement. "If you think you can, you are right. If you think you can not, you are still right." You first must think you can dominate in your city in order to dominate in your city. As you believe it, visualize it. Do you see yourself hitting your free throws? Do you see yourself making jump shot after jump shot? Do you see yourself stealing the basketball and making a layup? You have to have complete confidence in your ability.

Have the Right Work Ethic

Now that you have the attitude to dominate girls basketball in your city, you have to work on it. Having the attitude to dominate should fuel your inspiration to work on your game. You can not wait for team practice to work on their game. If you don't have a basketball goal at home, go to the park or community center. If you want to be able to work on your skills at home but can't afford to get a basketball goal right now. Make a goal. My first basketball goal was a milk crate that my step father knocked the bottom out of. Eventually I saved enough allowance to buy my own goal. I was in the 8th grade at time. That's how committed I was to working on my skills.


By Patosha Jeffery


Check Out the Related Article : Basketballs

Girls Basketball Motivation and Inspiration III

When I played high school basketball and AAU basketball, we did not miss practice. We appreciated being a member of the high school team. And we were extremely grateful for being selected on the AAU team. We were dedicated to improving, to winning, and to the game of basketball. My high school coach motto was "NO EXCUSES". It meant no excuses for being late for practice. No excuses for missing practice. No excuses for not giving your all during practice and in a game. Today, the appreciation and dedication is lacking. But why is it lacking? My answer is they don't know that basketball is a "game of vision".

Now how is basketball a game of vision?

The book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says to begin with the end in mind. To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. To know where you are going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.

You have to know where you are going in order to get there. If you do not know where you are going in girls basketball, you may end up anywhere. What are your desires as a player? Is it to start? Is it to lead in statistics? Is it to contributor to your team's winning? Only you know what you want.

I truly believed if you know where you want to go or where you want to be by a certain time frame, you will be dedicated and committed to doing the things you must do to get there.


By Patosha Jeffery

Check Out the Related Article : College Basketball Odds

Girls Basketball Motivation and Inspiration II

I explained in Girls Basketball Motivation and Inspiration how girl's basketball is a "game of thought". Now, I want to explain how it is a "game of goals".

Earl Nightingale said that "People with goals succeed because they know where they are going... It's as simple as that." And Geoffry F. Abert said "The most important thing about goals is having one."

Every since I was in elementary school, I wanted to play basketball. I would go get my hair done early Saturday mornings. By that afternoon, the hairstyle was gone because I was on the court. As soon as I finished eating lunch or dinner, I was shooting basketball.

I can remember when I was in the 3rd grade and I would look down the field at recess and watch the older kids playing basketball and thinking that I can't wait until I get in the 4th grade then I will be able to go down their and play. And that's exactly what I did.

The first week of school of my 7th grade year I went searching for the basketball coach so I could find out when tryouts were. I was determined to reach my goal of making the girls basketball team. When I found the coach, he looked at me and said that I was too skinny to play basketball. I eventually got the coach to let me try out. Not only did I make the team. I started every single game, lead the team in scoring and was MVP for 3 straight years.

I believe Scott Reed said it best about goals and how basketball is a "game of goals". "This one step, choosing a goal and sticking to it, changes everything."

Determining what goals you want to achieve in any aspect of the game of basketball can change everything.

By Patosha Jeffery


Check Out the Related Article : Basketball Betting Odds

How to Fast Track Girls Basketball Success

Everybody wants to be successful at what they do. In girls basketball, you always want to be the winner. You always want to be the leading scorer. You always want people to talk about you and your game. You would want to be the player with the sweetest jump shot. Well how do you get to that point?

Know where you want to go.

The book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says to know where you are going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction. If you do not know where you want to be in girls basketball, you may end up anywhere. Determine what area of basketball you would like to be successful in. It could be in ball handling, shooting, defense, free three shooting, 3 point shooting, etc. Or you may want to be successful in any combination of things. This is something you have to decide.

Believe you will get there.

John C. Maxwell States in his book, Thinking for a Change, "The greatest detriment to many people's success tomorrow is their thinking today. If their thinking is limited, so is their potential. But if people can keep growing in their thinking, they will constantly out grow what they're doing. And their potential will always be off the charts." Now the question is do you believe you can achieve what you want. Do you think you are capable of being successful?

Do something about it.

Just knowing where you want to go and believing that you will be successful will not get you there alone. You have to put something into action. You have to go out and work on your skills. Get in a gym by yourself or with a trainer. It doesn't necessarily have to be a gym. I worked out in the driveway. I bought my own basketball goal as an 8th grader and shot for hours by myself. Attend basketball camps. Read basketball books. Look at basketball DVDs or VHS tapes. You have to put in the work in order to reap the rewards of success.


By Patosha Jeffery

Check Out the Related Article : Basic Tips For Effective Basketball Training

4 Girls Basketball Off-Season Tips

The off-season is not the time to sit down. As a matter of fact, there is no off-season. Basketball is year round. You are either playing in a game or preparing yourself to play in a game. Here are some tips to help.

Stay in basketball shape

Play pick up ball on a consistent basis. You will always find pick up games going on at the park, at the community center or at someone's house. I don't know how they do it in other cities, but in Memphis, we pull our basketball goals to the side of the curb. Then it is on. Or join a summer basketball team. This can be an AAU, church league, community center, development or summer travel team. There are endless opportunities to stay in shape.

Get stronger and faster

As you advance in basketball, you will notice that competition is getting stronger and faster. You should do the same. Work with someone on improving your strength and speed.

Stay in the gym

During the season, there is hardly enough time to work on individual skills. Team skills are the primary focus. Now you can focus on what you need to do to improve. Ask your coach what areas you need to work on and do it.

Study the Game

This is another perfect opportunity to study the game. Don't just strive to have the best jump shot, be stronger or quicker. Be the smartest player on the court. There are girls basketball trainers, books, and videos available to help increase your knowledge of the game.

By Patosha Jeffery


Check Out the Related Article : 2 Girl's Basketball Camp Tips

3 Girls Basketball Dribbling Drills For All Positions

Being able to dribble the basketball is a great skill to have, even if you are tall and considered a post player. In the past, tall players were automatically placed in the post position. Now, you have girls over 6 feet handling the ball and playing point guard. Every player should consider adding dribbling skills to their game.

Drill 1: Finger Tip Drill

1. Pass the ball from hand to hand in front of your body with the finger tips only.

2. Move the basketball from a low position to well over your head as you tip the ball from hand to hand.

Drill 2: Side to Side Dribble Drill (Two Hands)

1. Dribble the basketball in front of your body from hand to hand without watching the dribble.

2. Dribble the basketball behind your body from hand to hand without watching the dribble.

3. As you advance, walk down the floor dribbling the ball from side to side in front of your body without watching the dribble.

4. As you advance, walk down the floor dribbling the ball from side to side behind your body without watching the dribble.

Drill 3: Figure 8 Dribble Drill

1. Dibble a basketball very low around the right leg using the finger tips of your right hand.

2. Dibble a basketball very low around the left leg using the finger tips of your left hand

3. As you advance, begin dribbling in front of the right leg with the right hand, then dribble through the legs, picking the ball up with the left hand behind the left leg. Then dribble the ball in front of the left leg and back through the legs to behind the right leg, where the right hand picks up the dibble. You are dribbling in a figure 8 pattern.

By Patosha Jeffery



Check Out the Related Article : 2 Deadly Girls Basketball Shooting Mistakes

2 Deadly Girls Basketball Shooting Mistakes

I have been involved in girls basketball for quite a while. As I watch girls basketball, it is hard for me to look at a game for pure entertainment. I am always looking at the little things like does a young lady get in triple threat, are the teams running plays, and the attitude of players. I especially look at the way a young lady shoots the basketball. Here are 2 deadly mistakes players make in shooting the basketball.

Wrong Attitude

The first mistake a player makes in shooting a basketball comes before they even shoot the ball. They don't believe in their ability to shoot. They run through their head over and over and over again such thoughts--

"I am not a great shooter.

"I can't shoot 3s."

I worked with a young lady during a training session and she told me that she could not shoot 3s. I had her go through a series of shooting which were only 3s and she knocked down the majority of the shots. But this young lady had just told me and more than once that she could not make 3 pointers.

You are what you think about. If you think you can't do something, you won't even try to do it. Which leads me to the other deadly mistake.

Not Working Extra

If you already have in your mind that you can not do something, you probably will not even work on it. This is the complete opposite of what you should be doing.

Get in the gym and work on shooting the basketball. It is the only way you will get better at shooting.


By Patosha Jeffery