George Mikan modernized basketball as the first true 'Big Man' in basketball. He won 4 NBA championships and, after averaging over 22 points per game during his 9 seasons, retired being the all-time league leader in points scored. The rules of professional basketball itself were altered by Mikan's dominance. During his career, the three-second rule and goaltending were introduced to try and level the playing field for his opponents. This video contains rare video footage of his days at Depaul University where he battled all comers. Then follow his career to include being voted 'The Greatest Athlete of the 1st Half Century'. Host Paul Hornung explores Mikan's memories and experiences in an exclusive, in-depth interview while they review highlights of this great athletes days on the hardwood.Basketball is one team sport where players can achieve noticeable improvement working out by themselves or with just a handful of players.
When I was young, I used to spend hours upon hours shooting hoops, as my mother would describe it. Though I knew my limitations as a basketball player, if there was a particular shot or a spot on the court I wanted to perfect, I would spend hours practicing it. I worked endlessly on a hook shot, not only on my strong hand, but on my weak hand as well. My ability to make this shot probably reached its potential, and now 35 years later, I still use this same hook shot when playing in my driveway against my own kids.
There are an endless number of creative drills a young player can do by themselves to help increase their skill level. Another drill I call the Rock Drill or
Crazy Dribble drill is set up with a youth player putting down three or four rocks in a line about 10-15 feet from the basket. He then dribbles along the line of the rocks going toward the basket. The ball ultimately hits one of the rocks and bounces away from the player. This is simulating a game like situation just like a defender hitting the ball away. The player then moves quickly to recover the ball on a fly, squares up toward the basket, and takes a jump shot. Dont we see this happen in almost every game? If the youth player has a desire to make his school team, isnt it better for him when practicing alone to simulate these realistic situations that happen in a game?
Here is another drill that will help a players skills when practicing alone. Take a baseball cap. Staple or glue a glove to the edge of the bill so the majority of the glove is in the players face when he wears the cap. The player then does some regular outside shooting on the move, getting his rebound, dribbling, shooting etc. The glove, and I call this drill Hands In the Face, will give the effect of a defender obstructing the shooters vision. This helps the player practice shooting in a more realistic atmosphere.
Creativity knows no limits. Parents who are not even into sports can come up with numerous ideas using different techniques and props to make practice basketball in ones own driveway fun and a chance to improve ones skills.
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Marty Schupak has coached youth sports for 18 years and is the creator of the videos "Driveway Basketball Drills" and 48 Championship Basketball Drills. He is also creator of The 59 Minute Baseball Practice and Championship Soccer Drills videos and is author of the best selling book Youth Baseball. Drills. He is President of the Basketball Coach One and the Youth Sports Club, a group dedicated to making sports practices and games more creative and enjoyable for kids.
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