Need advice, please. I keep getting smacked down on drives in scrimmages, and I've been getting a lot of injuries.
Like the title says, I keep getting hit on drives. I don't know if it's something about the way I drive for layups, as soon as I get in the air everyone feels like they can jump and block my shot into the stands. They end up fouling me 99% of the time and that's fine, but what bothers me most is I end up getting injured a lot. It's all good because most people say sorry after, but I still bumps from their knees or elbows and I sprain an ankle coming down or I get bruises all over my shins.
Recently I've gained some weight and started working out seriously to mitigate damage to my body, and gained about 30 pounds in the last year. I started working core more seriously recently, as well.
I should mention I play very much under the rim, I'm 6 feet with short wingspan and fair handles. I gave up trying to jump high a while ago so I focused on other things.
Would you recommend I train to jump higher so I have a better chance in the air on layups? Or focus on core a lot more to keep balance? I just feel like I need to play with armor on all the time to avoid getting injured. I'm scared of one day not getting back up from a hit.
How does Kyrie, for example, manage to get a shot up while getting hit under the rim so much? Any advice is appreciated, I want to be able to score on drives but I'm really scared of getting badly injured one day. I thought I broke something in my shin a couple times this week. Thank you
Posted Mar 21, 2018, 3:48 PM UTC
Kyrie and most "under the rim" driving players rely intensly on deception and body control. Watch some of Kyrie's drives and look at how he draws defenders out and up then finishes in an open hole that he created. It's about footwork and finishing. Practice your ability to go up with one hand and finish with the other, scoop layups that contact the backboard high and really slow down the footwork to master it. Probably one of the hardest skills to master but something that can turn a decent player into a difference maker. Also remember that players like Kyrie still have great vertical and athleticism, don't give up on your training.
Thank you, I needed to hear something like this.
This is very good advice imo. Also, look at tape of James harden I know he’s much bigger than kyrie but he usually finishes under the rim just with superior body control. Another thing that may be leading to injuries is driving to the basket and being out of control once you get by your man. Always be under control and if guys keep leaving their feet to block your shot; Hopstep and look at the rim before finding an angle at the rim or dumping off to the defenders man.