We all know that defense is largely a product of effort. Keith Williams breaks down strategies for perimeter defenders that goes beyond, "Give it your all." Shut down your opponent with these tips.

In this article, Brian Morehouse breaks down the perimeter workout his guards perform during the off-season. This program focuses on ball handling, free throws, quickness, as well as the many facets of shooting needed to excel on the perimeter.

In this article, Keith Williams details the workout he created for Steve Francis this off-season. Included are tips for beating defenders off the dribble as well as an innovative move rated for NBA use only. If you want to increase explosiveness and your ability to get to the basket, the off-season is the time to do it.

In this article, Keith Williams explains techniques for improving what he calls the most under-developed skill in basketball - proper utilization of the weak hand. Even on the highest levels of the sport, the weak hand is simply that - WEAK. Become a more dangerous player by adding the versatility of playing with either hand. .

In this article, Ken DeWeese lists those skills expects in his post players and wing players. With summer quickly approaching, identify those items on the list that are not second nature, get in a gym, and turn those weaknesses into your strengths.

New Jersey Nets Assistant Coach Ryan Krueger answers a reader's question regarding basketball's mental game. In this article, he details three ways he encourages his highest level players to increase their basketball intelligence.

Lute Olson explains why the cliché expression, 'Defense Wins Championships' rings true. Also, he details the differences between the defensive mentality on the main levels of the sport - high school, college, and the pros.

VanHoose, a high school coach and star center of the West Virginia Wild breaks down the post workout he runs his player's through. Here, he describes five basic post moves along with their counters so that players can always keep defenders guessing.

Bill Self emphasizes both the role and importance of senior players. According to Self, when given a choice, most coaches would give up some talent for the uncoachable attribute of leadership. Usually a coach finds that in seniors, which makes them vitally important.

Van Hoose, a high school coach and star center of the West Virginia Wild breaks down the post workout he runs his player's through. With drills to improve shooting accuracy, conditioning, as well as physicality, this workout when done consistently can improve any post player's game.

Willis Wilson explains his theory of why free throw shooting has eroded from the skill set of today's players. He then gives tips to mentally and physically improving your free throws so that when the game goes down to the wire, you can knock down the big ones.

LaMont McIntosh, who finished 6th in scoring in Belgium's professional league last season gives a peek into the window of European basketball. In this article, McIntosh explains the strategies he uses to stay ahead of the mental game. Incorporate these tactics into your season preparation to get the most you can out of every situation.

Mike Glenn, NBA sharp shooter in the 70s and 80s, discusses the confidence of a shooter as well as some tips on developing that mentality and even getting teammates to buy into one's shooting ability. Glenn, nicknamed "The Stinger" because of his ability to "sting" the nets with his shot reached a shooting percentage of .588 while with the Atlanta Hawks.

In this article, Keith Williams discusses mental training. Every drill imaginable can be done in the practice gym or in the driveway, but great players have that quality of basketball IQ or mental toughness that separates them from the rest. Develop that quality and your game could explode.

In this article, Brian Morehouse breaks down the post workout his team performs on a regular basis during the off-season. This program improves footwork, mid-range scoring ability, and ball handling, all the while getting in that always necessary conditioning.

Bill Fleming, the President and GM of a minor league team, cuts dozens of pro players every year. In this article, Fleming breaks down the Kareem Abdul Jabar's classic sky hook including the step by step mechanics and the reasons it is so effective. To this day, NBA scouts are looking for a post man who has mastered the sky hook.

Dwight Davis, in part 2 of this article, details the elements of defense that initially defined him as a player. Here, he discusses the basics of defensive mentality and positioning. Davis was drafted third overall in the 1972 NBA draft to the Cleveland Cavs, where he played for five seasons.

LaMont McIntosh, who finished 6th in scoring in Belgium's professional league last season gives a peek into the window of European basketball. In this article, McIntosh details the options and correct reads off of a fade screen - a screen used often in European leagues, but is equally effective in any league.

In this article, Keith Williams discusses the shortcomings of today's players. Too often in the game nowadays, players do not put in the time or effort to truly develop themselves as a thinking player. Williams even gives several examples of how a player can improve simply by respecting the game. Keith Williams spends extensive time training various NBA and International players including Steve Francis and Gilbert Arenas.

In this article, Brian Morehouse breaks down the perimeter workout his team performs on a regular basis during the off-season. Designed to improve ball handling, shooting, and conditioning, this program allows a player to work on a variety of skills in a condensed timeframe.

Bill Fleming, the President and GM of a minor league team, cuts dozens of pro players every year. Fleming follows up his previous article on how to get through Veteran's Camp with this article describing the etiquette required for success once a player has made a minor league team. With the next step being the NBA, every move made is an important one - Fleming details the dos and don'ts.

Dwight Davis, in this article, details the elements of defense that initially defined him as a player. Before becoming a prolific scorer, Davis' aggressive defense earned him a spot on the team and those techniques served him well even into the NBA. Davis was drafted third overall in the 1972 NBA draft to the Cleveland Cavs, where he played for five seasons.

In this article, Jim Davis outlines those skills that are necessary to emphasize first when developing as a player. He calls ball handling the "great equalizer" and thus places it high on the list. Davis led his Clemson University women to the NCAA tournament in 14 of his 18 years as head coach.

In the final part on this topic, Coach Spirk describes those key contacts - the program, the players, and the people - who could greatly influence a player's desire to attend a certain school. Every player's priorities differ, get all the information you can before committing. Mary Beth Spirk is a previous winner of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association National Coach of the Year award.

In part 1 of this article, Keith Williams describes the training strategies he uses to develop players in their transition from college to the pros concentrating specifically on shooting on the perimeter and in the post. Keith Williams is currently the head coach of the ABA's Maryland Nighthawks. He also spends extensive time training various NBA and International players including Steve Francis and Gilbert Arenas.

Bill Fleming, the President and GM of a minor league team, cuts dozens of pro players every year. In this article, Fleming focuses on how to act once you've made it to Veteran's Camp. Although, specifics deal with those looking to reach the pros, the techniques apply to all levels of players trying to make the team.