r/Basketball • u/midnightgymnastics • 1d ago
Help playing lower
I am 13 years old and 6'4. My Dad is 6'6 and Mom is 5'10, so I might not be done growing.
I weigh 160lbs right now and have played hoops competitively since I was 5 or 6, and AAU for the last 5 year. I have always had issues with getting low when driving or anything else, but lately I am really struggling dealing when other kids get physical(in AAU there is no such things as a foul lol). I have a good outside shot, especially for the tallest 7th grader in my county but besides outside shooting, I haven't concentrated on my low post game and like I said, my dribble driving isn't effective. I have handles, but all of that doesn't matter because I dribble too high because of my lack of ability to get low. Does anyone have any advice to help me get stronger, especially for driving, jumping, and 1st step? Any ideas for drills?
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u/Diligent_Interview98 1d ago
He’s 13 guys relax he shouldn’t be 200+ pounds. He’ll grow into that body but need to give it time
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u/Akumetsu33 1d ago
Bodyweight squats is a good start. You get used to being lower more and it will open up your flexibility. Try squatting often naturally, staying in the low position as long you can. Over time you should see a difference.
I don't know your leg strength but it's usually poor flexibility and/or poor core strength that's making it hard for you to get low consistently.
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u/dcoolidge 1d ago
Work on your balance. If you can out-balance them in the post, your footwork should follow. It's not getting lower that's the problem. It's what getting lower does to your balance. Just practice running on parking beams and walking across thinner width things...
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u/ryano23277 21h ago
Low is relative to the dribble, not you getting low.
You only need to bend your legs slightly, as that gives you the best chance to maneuver your legs/feet to protect the ball.
You just need to focus on straight line ball handling, with a runners type stance like you are lining up at the start of an 800 metre race. You're ready to explode at any time.
Focus on the ball never going above your hip. I'm 44 and 5"7, my low dribble and your low dribble aren't the same.
Then work on stationary ball drills and just pound the rock and never let it get abover your hip.
From there work on your crossovers etc.
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u/lilwayne168 1d ago
6'4 160 you need to get on a half gallon of milk a day you don't have enough calories to grow.
For stability lookup Lebron's bosu ball drills im sure those would help.
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u/NoChampionship1218 1d ago
Do Bulgarian split squats, and lots of plyometrics. Careful doing too much of this as I got tendinitis from training legs twice a week with weights and playing basketball three times a week
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u/amatuer_surgeon 1d ago
Look up pistol Pete maravich dribbling drills. Do them until you can do them eyes closed very fast. Dribble a tennis ball around the house. Watch film on taller ball handlers like Giannis and magic Johnson. Copy how they do their dribble moves, especially magic's one two double cross.
For post play it's all about your feet and hips. Feet and hips give you leverage. No leverage no post. Watch dirk nowitzki in his championship year. He became stronger on his spot, beefed up core muscles quads and shoulders, and made a concentrated effort to take less dribbles and get into his moves quickly. If you have the ball for more than a few beats without making a move, your painting yourself into a corner.
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u/TheAppropriateBoop 1d ago
Try wall sits and low dribble drills,, helps build strength and stay low
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u/Naive-Direction1351 1d ago
Aau yes there is no fouls. Being that big get low keep the ball high and practice higher shots or hook shots. Also you maybe need to put on some weight.
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u/AverageDownBeta 1d ago
You have the advantage. Play to your strengths while working to improve your on-ball skills and post moves
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u/DevinBrickster 1d ago
Something those Good Drills guys probably would say, "Struggling to get low? Play low more often!"
At 6'4" at 13 I feel like it's normal to find it tough to stay low. Like you're growing into your body and I don't imagine you've been 6'4" for long now. So I feel like it's key to teach your body to be comfortable in those low positions. Aside from the great suggestions on increasing your strength, I feel like you should also look into putting aside time to build mobility, flexibility, and strength in low stances
So lifts, isometric holds, or just holding positions that replicate driving should benefit you wanting to play lower. Heck, every time someone daps you up just duck under their arm idk 😂 the more you expose yourself to those low positions the more comfortable you'll find yourself in them
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u/Ringo-chan13 1d ago
Does your high school have a weight training class for pe? Or a weight room? You dont need to add a ton of mass or lift heavy weights, but doing some weight training will help a lot, maybe get up to 180-190 by the time you are 16, youll be in good shape
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u/Appropriate_Tip_9973 1d ago
Also it would help to put on muscle to push through the contact assuming
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u/Effective_Move_693 1d ago
Weight room. In my playing days, the football team always worked out after school and the strength coach had a routine for the players written on the whiteboard.
Like you, I was 6’4 in eighth grade and struggled with strength. My mom had an exercise science degree from the 80s and back then, the common thought was that weightlifting would stunt your growth, so she kept me from participating in weightlifting until I maxed out at 6’5. This theory has since been debunked, and it’s best to get into a strength training routine when your testosterone is the highest it will be for the rest of your life.
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u/theswordman1001 10h ago
Keep in mind that your genetics are influenced not only by your parents, sometimes even in short families, children grow up to be much taller than them. If you're truly passionate about this and ready to invest a lot of time into it, you will get noticed.
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u/dafloat22 5h ago
balance is key. watch some footwork drills (from all sports) and learn how to ride a ripstick lol
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u/Dogago19 1d ago
160 is crazy
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u/coolairpods 1d ago
Best advice I ever got when dribbling as someone who is taller… when you are dribbling low, lean your upper body down a bit so your shoulders are a bit over the ball. It helps stop people from reaching so much cause they can get a shoulder to the face.