HOOPS ELITE MAGAZINE
The Eye Myth
Players must NEVER look down
when they dribble
It is not uncommon for a player to be
told that they must look at the rim
when they dribble the basketball. This
message is often given to players citing the advantage of seeing the whole
floor in order to make necessary passes
and find shot opportunities. At the very
least, players are often told they should
NEVER look down when they dribble
the basketball, once again citing vision
as the ultimate determinant.
When discussing these myths it is very
important to note that every ball handler should have the ability to look
away from their basketball when dribbling. However, using terms like “up”
and “down” are too vague to offer any
value to a ball handler’s growth.
MICAH LANCASTER
NBA SKILL COACH
INTERNATIONAL CAMP CLINICIAN
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
I’m Possible Training
FOUNDER
Cell: (919) 605-7370
twitter.com/micahlancaster
youtube.com/impossibletraining
12 | Issue 2 - March 2015
In the game of basketball, it is unrealistic to assume that a player’s eyes can
be locked in one position. Realistically, a
player must have the ability to look up,
down, side to side, and around while
dribbling the basketball regarding situations and moments in the game. From
glancing at defensive footwork, to spotting gaps in the defense, to eye fakes
and head fakes, to the overall truth that
peripheral vision expands when looking
at a downward plane, a player must sim-
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ply be able to see the action on the floor
while dribbling.
However, from a training standpoint
when the myth “of eyes being up” is
followed, it can become a fundamental hindrance to a ball handler’s game.
While training for ball handling, looking
down can be beneficial and effective for
working on other important aspects of
dribbling. A player may be able to improve their off-hand by grabbing a medicine ball off the floor. A player may be
able to force their hips into game realistic low positions through the act of seeing, touching, and pushing a Rip Cone.
And of course, a player can purposely
hold their own feet accountable by
looking down at their footwork during
their moves.
After all, why would a player look at the
ball when they dribble anyway? That’s
simple. If their hands and feet are not
comfortable, their eyes must assist
them. Once a player has their hands,
hips and their feet mastered, where
they are looking becomes the easiest
part. So forget the myth of “don’t look
down when you dribble” and start using your eyes to develop every aspect
of your handle!