What Basketball Players Can Learn from Nikola Jokic's Scoring Skills

Nikola Jokic’s recent performance showcased key skills that every basketball player can learn from. Here are four essential aspects of Jokic's game and practical drills to improve your skills:

Touch

Focus: Develop a soft touch around the rim.

Drills:

• Finger Roll Practice: Stand under the basket and practice finger rolls with both hands. Emphasize gently placing the ball off the backboard.
• Floater Drills: From various spots in the paint, practice shooting floaters over a stationary defender. Aim for a soft release and high arc.

Footwork

Focus: Improve footwork to create space and maintain balance.

Drills:

• Mikan Drill: Perform the Mikan Drill (both forward and reverse) to improve footwork and finishing with both hands.
• Drop Step and Pivot Moves: Work on drop steps and pivot moves from the low post. Stay low and use your body to shield the defender.

Change of Speed

Focus: Utilize changes in speed to keep defenders off-balance.

Drills:

• Hesitation Moves: Practice hesitation dribbles and crossovers at various speeds. Change pace quickly to beat your defender.
• Speed Variation Drill: Dribble from baseline to baseline, varying your speed at different points. Emphasize quick bursts followed by controlled dribbles.

Craftiness and Cleverness

Focus: Incorporate creative and unpredictable moves into your game.

Drills:

• Fake and Finish: Use pump fakes and shot fakes to get defenders in the air, then finish with various moves (e.g., up-and-under, reverse layups).
• Unconventional Shots: Practice hook shots, off-hand layups, and step-back jumpers. Make these moves smooth and natural.

Additional Tips:

• Basketball IQ: Watch game footage of players like Jokic to understand how they read the defense and make decisions.
• Patience: Be patient with the ball. Jokic often waits for the best scoring opportunity or makes a smart pass. Practice drills that involve waiting for the right moment.
• Strength and Conditioning: Incorporate strength and conditioning exercises to build the physicality needed to play effectively in the post.

By focusing on these areas and incorporating the drills into regular practice, young players can develop a more well-rounded and effective game, much like Nikola Jokic.