Defensive Slides - It's not a race!

I have seen it too many times; a coach asking his team to slide defensively from sideline to sideline on a basketball court as fast as they can. The problem is not with the command but rather there is always a few athletes not doing it right.

A defensive slide must be done perfect, smooth, and with coordination in mind. A good offensive player will make the defensive player change direction. This means the defensive player must be able to demonstrate the drop step to accomodate the move. If a defensive player has to drop step more than once the advantage automatically goes to the offensive player. This is why it is so critical to be able to change direction quickly and efficiently as a ball handler.

In Basketball Strength Volume II, there is a complete chapter designed around lateral movement. In essence, this defensive movement has developed into a training course. Imagine doing a slow and deliberate defensive slide while pressing a sandbag in multiple directions. Just think about the amount of coordination, toughness, and muscular endurance to be able to do that for a fifty to one hundred repetitions?

This is how lateral training should be done for basketball players and any athlete that needs side to side movement to improve.
Volume II Book for $24.99