The Art of Changing Speeds

Go back and watch Jordan coast full court and end with a dunk. Watch Chris Paul effortlessly dribble into the paint and set a teammate up with a lob. Watch Steve Nash come off a ball screen and stroll into the lane for a little fade away. Why do the best players so often look like they are putting in very little effort?  

As a skill development trainer, I’ve come across a very common problem. Player’s are often athletic, quick, and explosive, but they play the game with only one speed. Athletes are always trying to beat everyone with their athleticism every second, but if you take a moment to look at the best athletes in the world you’ll see a different story. Watch how Kobe Bryant starts off each game. He doesn’t come out of the gates sprinting all over the court. He cuts through the lane at a medium pace and receives a few screens, just trying to get an understanding of how the defense is playing him, and then BOOM! A few possessions later Kobe explodes for an ESPN highlight! 

Players, it’s time to practice some POISE. That’s what the phrase, “letting the game come to you” is all about. You must be able to relax on the court from time to time and set your defender up. Here’s a great move for you to practice the art of changing speeds. 

SLOW TO GO 

This is real simple, but hard to do. Dribble the ball through your legs at a relaxed pace, just like you would if you were just walking the ball down the court. As soon as the ball hits your hand, EXPLODE!

 Now, this is what usually happens when player’s try this. They can’t go through the legs slow. They are already anticipating the explosion to the basket. More often than not, they will dribble the ball hard through the legs and go. But remember, you must have two different levels here. Relaxed and Explosive. So try again and again and again until you get it. Dribble through your leg slow and wait until the ball touches the receiving hand, and then GO! Give it a try and tell me what you think.