Is Ball Handling More Important Than Shooting In Basketball?
No. But it is vital to the success of your game. You see, if you can’t dribble, then you can’t create separation from your defender. And without separation, you won’t have a chance at getting an open shot. But there’s a difference between being able to handle the ball and actually handling the ball well. Most players can get the job done, but they lack the finesse needed to be really great.
The debate on whether ball-handling or shooting is more important in basketball continues to rage on. Some say ball-handling is vital; others say shooting is all that matters.
So, what’s the point of me telling you all this? Simply this,
Shooting Is Vital, But Handling Is equally Vital!
But I have more to share with you. Many people say ball handling is an essential part of basketball. Others say the shooting is the most crucial part. What they all agree on is ball-handling is critical! Here’s why: If you can’t handle the ball, it doesn’t matter how good you are at shooting. You can’t shoot it, dribble it, or pass it.
What is ball handling?
It is simply controlling the ball to scoring by shooting, passing, or driving to the basket. Therefore, if you don’t know how to handle the ball, you won’t score. You see, scoring is all about control. And if you don’t have control, then you won’t be able to score.
Now, let’s get practical, shall we? In a perfect world, all players would shoot the ball with perfect form, create an ideal shot every time, and make it almost impossible for the other team to block or deflect their shots. But that’s not the way the game is played. In reality, most shots are not going to be made with perfect form, and therefore, most shots are not going to be made even though they appear to be. And most shots are not going to be made difficult to defend.
The truth is, most shots are going to be guarded like crazy! The reason is simple Scoring Is Hard! So, to make things more complicated, your defender will try to force you to make a mistake.
What is the importance of ball handling in basketball?
Indeed, it is vital! If you can’t handle the ball, it doesn’t matter how good you are at shooting. You can’t shoot it, dribble it, or pass it.
Therefore, if you don’t know how to handle the ball, then it is very likely you will not be able to get a shot off or maybe even stay on the court for very long. This will likely translate into more losses for your team.
On the other hand, if you know how to handle the ball, you do have control over the ball. There is an excellent chance you are going to be able to get a shot off.
If you are good enough, there is also a perfect chance you will be able to make that shot or maybe even get another shot off. Therefore, by handling the ball, you are putting the odds more in your favor of winning the game.
Five fundamentals of great ball handling in basketball
Here are five fundamentals of great ball handling in basketball:
Fundamentals
1 – Balance Fundamentals – Balance is the ability to remain upright while moving laterally.
2 – Agility Fundamentals – Agility is the ability to change direction quickly and efficiently. To be effective when you are dribbling or passing, you need to change directions as soon as you encounter a defensive obstacle.
3 – Quickness Fundamentals – Quickness is the ability to get to the spot on the court where you need to be to execute your skills with accuracy and efficiency. When you are dribbling or passing, you need to have the speed to get past your defender. You also need to have the ability to accurately shoot or pass the ball with great regularity.
4 – Elbows Up! Fundamentals – Elbows up is the most important fundamental of all. When you are dribbling or passing, you need to have the ability to stop the ball with your hands at the exact angle where it will go in a straight line.
Suppose your hands are too high or too low. In that case, it is challenging, if not impossible, to control the ball with any degree of consistency. Also, when you are dribbling or passing, you need to have the ability to change directions as soon as you encounter a defensive obstacle.
5 – Dribbling with either hand – Dribbling with either hand is fundamental to excellent ball handling. It is equally essential whether you are right-handed or left-handed. To dribble with either hand effectively, you need to be able to make the ball go in a straight line with your dominant hand and be able to make the ball go in a straight line with your non-dominant hand.
If you cannot do this effectively, then it will put your team at a distinct disadvantage when you are on the court. You should practice dribbling with both hands until you are 100% comfortable with each movement.
Does better ball handling improve our shooting?
Always! But there is another crucial aspect to consider efficiency! Better ball-handling does not automatically equal more efficient shooting. Many ball handlers are so incredibly awkward when they shoot that it is almost impossible for them to get an effective release.
On the other hand, many skilled shooters cannot handle the ball with any degree of effectiveness whatsoever. You must find the “sweet spot” where your skills as a ball-handler and shooter meet and become mutually beneficial. This is the most efficient ball handling/shooting combination imaginable.
What is the importance of shooting in basketball?
The importance of shooting is to score! If you can’t shoot, you can’t score. Plain and simple. Many players are tall, strong, and have great ball-handling ability who simply will not score if they don’t learn to shoot. And many great shooters do not possess excellent ball-handling skills.
It’s like driving a car without having the ability to steer. You can do it, but it’s going to be incredibly difficult and inefficient. Therefore, the primary importance of shooting is to improve your scoring ability. How can I improve my shooting? There are many ways you can improve your shooting ability. However, the most critical element is simply to start doing it.
Five fundamentals of great shooting in basketball?
Here are five fundamentals of great shooting in basketball:
1. Position –
Position is an essential element of all when trying to become a great shooter. When attempting to shoot the ball, you must be in the proper position on the court at the exact right time. If you aren’t in the correct position, or if you aren’t in the correct position at the exact right time, then it is challenging, if not impossible, for you to shoot the ball effectively.
So the first step to becoming a great shooter is to learn to understand and correctly identify where and how you should be positioned on the court at all times. You should practice this until it becomes second nature.
2. Balance –
Balance is another important element in shooting the ball with any degree of effectiveness. When you are attempting to shoot the ball, you must maintain your balance throughout the movement. If you lose your balance, the shot will never go in.
And if you gain or regain your balance improperly, you could very easily hurt yourself or someone else. So the second most crucial element of great shooting is to learn to maintain perfect balance while you are shooting. You should practice this until it becomes second nature.
3. Follow Through –
Follow through is yet another vital element in shooting the ball with any degree of effectiveness. When you are attempting to shoot the ball, you must follow through on the movement. This is especially important when you are shooting a layup or a jump shot. If you don’t follow through, then it is challenging, if not impossible, for the ball to go in.
And if you don’t follow through properly, you could very easily hurt yourself or someone else. So the third most crucial element of great shooting is to learn to properly follow through on your shots. You should practice this until it becomes second nature.
4. Efficiency –
Efficiency is the fourth most crucial element in all of basketball. When you are attempting to shoot the ball, you must learn to do it efficiently. There is no room for error here. If you are not efficient, then it is challenging, if not impossible, for the ball to go in.
And if you are not efficient, you could very easily hurt yourself or someone else. So the fourth most crucial element of great shooting is to learn to shoot the ball in a highly efficient manner. You should practice this until it becomes second nature.
5. Concentration –
Concentration is the final and perhaps an essential element in all of basketball. In contrast to efficiency, there is plenty of room for error here. If you are not concentrating, then it is challenging, if not impossible, for the ball to go in.
And if you are not focusing correctly, you could very easily hurt yourself or someone else. So the fifth and final most crucial element of great shooting is to learn to concentrate intensely on every shot you take. You should practice this until it becomes second nature.
Remember these five fundamentals of great shooting?
They are the bare minimum requirements you must meet if you want to become a great shooter. However, just because these fundamentals are essential, it does not mean they are easy to achieve. On the contrary, these fundamentals are so challenging to accomplish that most people who attempt to improve their scoring ability never even come close to achieving them.
Why do ball-handling and shooting complement each other?
Ball handling and shooting compliments each other because both are elements of the game of basketball. You can’t have one without the other. And if you can’t shoot the ball, then you certainly can’t handle the ball effectively.
And likewise, if you can’t handle the ball, then it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for you to shoot the ball effectively. If you can’t handle the ball, then it is almost certain you will never be able to shoot the ball at all.
This is because handling the ball is as important as shooting the ball. You see, if you can’t handle the ball, then you will never be able to create space or time for yourself to let go of the ball and allow yourself to shoot the ball with any degree of confidence. So, if you can’t handle the ball, you will not be as effective a shooter as someone good at ball handling.
Conclusion
Is Ball Handling More Important Than Shooting In Basketball? No, They are equally important because they are both elements of the game of basketball. However, I would venture to say that most players are much better at ball handling than they are at shooting.
This is especially true among high school and college players. And in the NBA, it is almost impossible for a player to be a great shooter and not handle the ball. This is because the speed and strength of the players are so much higher than they are in high school or college, it is almost impossible for a player to miss a shot or fumble the ball.
Therefore, it is my opinion that if you can’t shoot the ball very well, you should concentrate more on becoming a great ball handler. After all, the best way to make yourself a great player is to learn to play great basketball. And to do this, you have to learn to play great offense and defense. And to do this, you have to learn to play excellent ball handling.
And last but not least, you have to learn to play great in-between the lines or else you won’t be able to become a complete player. So, in my humble opinion, if you can’t shoot the ball, you should first work hard on your ball-handling skills. Then, after you can consistently make shots, you should concentrate on becoming a better shooter.
