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Question
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Followup To
Question -
I have a boy 13 years old , a little short (1.53 cm ) .He have a perfect ball handling and driblling ("phenomenon"), and a great athlete.

His great contribution for his baketball team , by penetrate to the paint zoon and shoot near the basket. He dosen't have a problem to pass the first guard , but , when the defense crowd together , he somtimes stuck.

His coach tell him to look upon the defense befor decide to make a penetration , but it's not clear on what?

Can you give him advise about when to decide to make panetration to the basket ?
Thank you!
Answer -
Hi dov,

It sounds like you have a great playmaker. Every team needs somebody who is unselfish and is willing to set up his teammates. I think what the coach is saying is to recognize the defense before driving. If they are packed in the paint then don't drive. If they are spread out then drive. What we always teach is pass the ball before the defense collapses. You don't want to dribble right up to a defender but if you do, jump stop, pump fake a shot, and then bounce pass to an open teammate. In addition, he might think about taking it all the way to the basket and not always passing as you have to mix it up as a player or the defenders will start picking up on your tendencies. I hope this helps.   

First ,thank you for the privious answer.
Now i have new problem .
3 month ago , my son began to work hard practice on shooting the ball from out the paint zoon .
The result was that , he stop struggle on making penetration to the basket and actually lost his ability to do so.
He says 2 things;
First when he plan to make a shot , its very hard to him to change position to penetrate the basket if its nececery.

Second , becouse he practice himself with 2 ball handlling drils , when he's alone ,and in these drills ,you have to keep your boddy balance in center;-it's affect negativly his ability to make penetrations on game-ther you needs to take your boddy asside , opposit from 2ballhandling drills.

What yours opinion ? THANKS


Answer
Hi again,

It sounds like your son enjoys shooting the ball, which I don't blame him. Being a point guard he has to pass and penetrate. If he is getting into the triple threat position when he catches the ball he should be able to shoot, pass or drive. Ask him if he is doing this, getting into the triple threat position. He was penetrating before so he should have no problem doing this. I think he has become comfortable with shooting and is haaving fun with it. Let him know there are lot's of players that can shoot but not many who can run the team(point guard). All coaches are looking for a great point guard. Shooters are a dime a dozen but not many great point guards out there.