Get better at Basketball! Useful training tools to help you!
- Godson Mbonimpa
- Apr 5, 2020
- 6 min read
Of course, your teammates will not always be available to train with you every single time you want to improve a certain skill. Even though they might be available during the team’s training sessions, there are certain aspects you may all want to improve as a team. Shooting, dribbling, passing, and footwork can be refined by different basketball training aids.
Training with these different tools will help elevate your game on the court and save your coach’s time. Just spot the skill you want to work on and find the right training aid to help you out. After a period of time, you will notice some changes in your gameplay and improvement in your physical strength.
There are many products out there in the market that may get you confused, that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best basketball training aids. Let’s dive right into this and get an insight into how these basketball training aids work.
Best Basketball Training Aids: Our Picks
This is a heavyweight training ball that is available in two sizes. The 28.5 inches ball weighs 36-40 ounces, while the 29.5 inches ball weighs 40-45 ounces. Many official basketballs weigh half of what this training ball weighs. Doing drills such as the 4 corner passing, pass and switch, 3 man weave, and middle man passing with this ball will increase your passing strength.
Apart from that, this ball strengthens wrists, forearms, and fingers. Regular training with this weighted ball results in powerful and faster dribbles.
What We Like:
It has a durable outer rubber cover.
Both indoors and outdoors usage.
Available in different weights.
It’s in official basketball sizes.
What We Don’t Like
The extra weight this ball carries can damage weak rims.
Keeping your head up while dribbling can be quite a task. Well, these goggles have been designed to stop you from always looking down while you are dribbling. The lower part of the lens has been covered, whereas the upper part is clear to give you a good view while shooting. These goggles are made of very soft plastic material, and they have an adjustable elastic strap.
With these basketball dribbling goggles, you are able to concentrate on what’s going on in the game without looking down. After using the goggles for a while, you will be able to keep your head up even without using an aid.
What We Like:
The Goggles are comfortable.
Easy to wear.
Made of durable material (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer).
What We Don’t Like:
Made of a material that doesn’t dissolve sweat.
Training with this product will definitely help you to improve your ball-handling skills. It comes with four smaller arms, which are connected to a center post. Once you’ve assembled this training aid, it will simulate a game-like situation where a defender is trying to steal the ball from you. Through that, you’ll learn how to position your arms strategically while dribbling. Additionally, this dribble stick can be used in improving speed and stance.
What We Like:
This dribble stick has adjustable arms.
It has a durable aluminum center post with a sturdy base.
The center top offers a space to store your basketball.
What We Don’t Like:
It is purchased unassembled.
To young players who have an issue with shooting, this strap might make your shots more accurate. It was designed by a shooting coach named Jay Wolf and fits on both arms. Basically, this shooting strap prevents wrist rotation in your guide hand, making it easier to shoot without interference.
This strap’s design is good in rectifying strange shooting styles developed by two-handed shooters. In no time, you’ll be able to get better at throwing one-handed shots. You can also use it to practice layups, it will strengthen your less dominant arm.
What We Like: Made of a high-quality material.
Durable.
Track your training progress with this smart basketball. It has a sensor that is tracked by an application on your phone. Plus, the application has a program that guides you during training sessions. All you have to do is to choose a training program that suits your needs and after training, you’ll be graded by the app. You’ll be able to get information about your dribble speed and pace of a move through the application.
What We Like
The ball is available in both official sizes.
It can be used indoors and outdoors.
The ball’s microfiber cover is durable.
Application has many drills
What We Don’t Like:
The app is a little slow.
Quick dribbling and passing are skills that take your gameplay to another level. These gloves have been designed to help you improve your ball-handling skills. Your fingers will become stronger because the gloves are heavy, and they add extra resistance. Not to forget, the gloves have an anti-grip feature that forces you to concentrate more on your ball-handling.
What We Like:
Suitable for both individual and team’s practice.
What We Don’t Like:
Weight is more concentrated towards the wrist.
You want to train, but there’s nobody around to do it with you? Well, this basketball training aid acts as your opponent in the court. This mannequin mimics some defense moves, which are found in a real game. The arms are kept at an upright posture so that you can take good shots. If the ball touches the mannequin’s arms then that’s not a clear shot.
The training aid stands on an adjustable pole. Depending on the level of difficulty you want, you can adjust the pole from 6.5 feet to 8 feet.
What We Like:
Setting up this training aid takes less than 10 minutes.
It can be disassembled and stored.
It has ground stakes that offer extra support.
Simply put, this is a set of five rubber discs that are used to perform different types of drills. If you’ve never found a comfortable position to shoot from, you can use these discs to train. These discs save you from the trouble of marking your court every time you want to practice. A defense drill such as the zone defense can be practiced using these discs. Coaching becomes easier if you are using this set of discs.
What We Like:
It comes with a digital timer to time your drills.
Numbered to make drills easier.
Running around in the court after taking a shot can get tiring. This training aid passes the ball back to you after you make a successive shot. Hooking it to the rim is quite easy, and it can be rotated 180 degrees to allow you to shoot from any position. If you are a good shooter then this will save your time, and you’ll take more shots in a limited period of time while using it.
What We Like:
Simple to use.
What We Don’t Like:
It’s limited to professional shooters because if you miss a shot you have to run and get the ball.
This is another basketball training aid that helps you to take more accurate shots. Using this training aid will stop you from always resting the ball on your palm when releasing it for a shot. Your fingers will be spaced properly once you wear this training aid making it easier to take an accurate shot. It’s available in different sizes: extra-large, large, medium-small and extra small.
What We Like:
It’s made of antifungal and antibacterial materials.
Useful Tips And Resources
One of the most essential training tools is basketball. Training can hardly take place without a quality basketball, and this is the main reason why you should take care of your basketball. Don’t use a leather basketball in outdoor courts because you may end up with a damaged ball. Keep your ball away from wet elements that may make it lose its grip. Severe hot conditions may also damage your basketball, so be aware of that too.
Play in a place that’s free of pointy objects. Surround your court with a barrier that will prevent pointy and hard objects from getting in the court.
Final Thoughts
There are many training aids that will improve your gameplay. Choose a training aid that’s designed to improve a particular skill you are planning to work on, and put maximum effort while training. In no time, you might notice some positive results. Let us know what you think about these training aids in the comments below.
(Source: Dunk or three blog)
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