A common mistake made by athletes of all sports and genres is to train hand, thumb and finger muscles through the grip action (flexion) only, without regard to full extension and abduction of the hands, fingers and thumbs. In basketball, the result is limited ball handling, rebounding & catch skills, as well as a common handicap to proper shooting mechanics.
When basketball hands are conditioned using spring-loaded and coiled grip devices, the finger flexor muscles are shortened and the finger extensor muscles are become static (they contract repeatedly in one static position). They result is a poor ability to extend the fingers and wrist in the basketball shooting 'set' postion.
Drill Doctor
We strengthen the finger and thumb extensor muscles as well as the wrist extensor muscles of our basketball athletes to ensure they develop proper hand muscle balance for ball handling, shooting and rebounding.
Properly strengthened finger extensor muscles also means a markedly strengthened grip ability, especially on the wide sphere of the basketball. The finger, thumb and wrist extensor muscles are key grip stabilizer muscles, so it is key for basketball players and coaches to know how to train them properly through full ranges of motion.
In the gym, athletes must now train to be competitive; athletes are just simply bigger and stronger. This need for strength often comes at the sacrifice of balance, which can also affect speed and touch. Most shoulder and chest training requires the hands to be gripping a barbell or dumbbell and that leads to the aforementioned repetitive grip problem where the flexor muscles become shortened and grip and shooting set angles are compromised.
Do your homework and test your grip strength and set angles when shooting. Are they maximized or limited? Then re-measure after you strengthen the finger and wrist extensor muscles (creating stronger grip stabilizer muscles and greater shooting angles). Do you handle the ball better? Do you rebound better? Are you stronger and more confident? Are you able to palm the ball easier? Get every edge that you can over your competitors. It's the little things that can make a big difference.
In summary: if you are going to train, train properly. And train for your sport. Basketball players get an easy edge when they train the hands, wrist and forearms specifically for shooting, ball handling and rebounding. Learn about hand, wrist and forearm strength - and develop 'great hands.'
Strengthens the 9 muscles that close the hand in balance with the 9 muscles that open the hand and maximize your shooting and ball handling mechanics.