Dribble Penetration in Traffic

The next topic that we will be covering here at TBL is dribble penetration in traffic.  What we mean by this is how can a player properly enter the lane when it is heavily congested and protect the ball (keep it from getting stripped) while still giving himself a chance to score.  All of the great penetrators I have seen have an uncanny ability be "strong down low and soft on top."  What this means is that good penetrators can be really strong in protecting the ball as they are going through traffic, absorbing pressure without allowing it to impede their progress, while being soft when they go into shot mode.


I've seen many players try to drive through the lane.  As a matter of fact it is heavily encouraged in our offensive schemes as we believe in dribble penetration and the advantages that it gives our team during a game.  Most players who have problems with penetration fall into one of two categories:
  1. They tend to get the ball stripped from them almost every time they enter a congested lane area because they can't protect the ball properly.
  2. They can't finish at the basket because they can't transition from protecting the ball with strength to shooting the ball with touch.
Over the next few articles we will be showing you various ways to:
  1. Protect the ball when entering the paint.
  2. Prevent the defender from timing his jump in an attempt to block your shot while you are driving to the basket.
  3. Determine which hand to use in given situations while you are driving to the basket.
  4. How to practice going from "strong down low, to soft on top."

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