Basketball Training Equipment List

In order to succeed at basketball, proper training is required. There are many optional pieces of equipment that are useful for basketball players to improve their skills. If you are looking for training ideas, or just want to learn more about basketball equipment, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn about the unique types of basketball training equipment.

What Is Basketball Training Equipment?

Basketball training equipment is used to help players develop their skills for use in games. Plenty of equipment focuses on one aspect of the game of basketball to help players improve in that specific area.

Some of this equipment is designed to improve a player’s fundamentals and base-level skill set while other gear is directed at more advanced techniques. Some of this equipment also has multiple uses and can help to improve different facets of a player’s game.

Many of the pieces of equipment here are products made for the specific purpose of training for basketball while others, such as tennis balls, are simply being repurposed.

Dribbling Equipment

Dribbling equipment provides great training experience to basketball players in regard to their ball handling. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of dribbling equipment, and how they might be able to help you.

Dribbling Goggles

Dribbling goggles are a piece of training equipment that forces players to keep their head up on the court. They look like normal glasses with a thick lower eye frame, designed intentionally to help improve a player’s confidence while dribbling. Many players may have a problem of looking down at the ball while dribbling instead of looking at the court. These goggles help to fix that. Dribbling goggles can be found at sports retailers for under $20.

Dribble Sticks

A dribble stick is a popular item for basketball coaches or trainers to have, regardless of age. Dribble sticks help improve your ball handling skills through various drills. They often adjust to different heights and teach you how to control your dribble by attempting to keep the ball from hitting the sticks. Dribble sticks are a bit on the expensive side, and usually cost between $100 and $125.

Tennis Balls

You may not be used to seeing tennis balls on a basketball court, but they can actually be a great tool to improve basketball players’ hand eye coordination. Tennis balls offer a smaller target than a basketball, and can be great as a secondary target by having players catch a tennis ball while maintaining their dribble. Tennis balls are incredibly cheap, with a can of three typically costing less than $5.

Weighted Gloves

Weighted gloves are a useful basketball training method for many reasons. Most weighted gloves have a unique anti-grip material that makes it difficult for the player to control the ball. This allows them to focus harder on their dribbling and ball control skills, while adding extra weight. It also improves strength in hand and arm muscles, an important piece of training for all basketball players. Weighted gloves typically cost around $50.

Shooting Equipment

These pieces of equipment force players into shooting with proper form, whether that involves keeping the elbow straight, spacing their fingers correctly, or presenting an obstacle to shooters. Read on to learn more about different kinds of basketball shooting equipment, and how they might be able to help you.

Contester

A contester is a piece of equipment that helps simulate the feeling of having a defender’s hand near you and contesting your shot. They are typically adjustable poles attached to a hand, which a coach or friend can hold near you while you practice shooting. Not only is this helpful to practice jumpshots, but floaters and lay ups as well. Shot contesters are relatively cheap, with most models going for under $50.

Finger Spacers

Finger spacers are a very valuable piece of equipment used to train muscle memory around the way you hold your fingers around a basketball. Finger spacers help you to keep a consistent gap between your fingers in order to improve your shooting and dribbling form, training you on how to hold the ball in your fingers. Finger spacers can be found for around $10 at sports retailers or online.

Rebounding Machines

Rebounding machines, often called rebounders, are a useful piece of shooting equipment that lends itself well to practicing alone. A rebounder is meant to gather the ball after a shot on the hoop, and send it back your way so you don’t have to chase after the ball each time you put a shot up. Rebound machines vary wildly in price, with simple non-mechanized models costing less than $100 and super-advanced machines costing several thousand dollars.

Shooting Hand Trainer

A shooting hand trainer is a pad that goes on your non-dominant shooting hand to help improve your shot. Since the thick pad doesn’t give you grip on the ball, it forces you to place more focus on your shooting hand. This is also useful for arm strength and shot power, as a good basketball shot requires a flick of the dominant wrist. Shooting hand trainers can be found for under $30.

Shooting Spots

Shooting spots are used by coaches and players to place markers on the court and are used in various drills. These markers allow players to practice shooting repeatedly from the same spot, without having to worry about losing track of the spot you’re shooting from on the court. Shooting spots are relatively cheap, going for under $30.

Shooting Straps

Shooting straps are a piece of basketball training equipment that helps the user develop muscle memory when working to perfect their shooting form. These straps go on the non-dominant arm, to help make sure that you keep this arm as more of a supporting presence in your shot instead of the driving force. Shooting straps typically cost around $25.

Training Dummy

Training dummies are used to simulate defense while practicing shooting. This piece of equipment helps basketball players get used to shooting over an opponent, a skill you can’t sharpen just shooting a ball without any obstacle. Training dummies take away the need for an actual person playing defense to hone this skill, enabling effective practice with a smaller group of players. Training dummies vary in prices, usually going for anywhere from $40 to $125.

Weighted Balls

Basketball players use weighted balls to practice dribbling and passing. A weighted ball helps increase arm and hand strength, while improving your on-ball skills. They come in various weights and sizes, but the most common weigh around 3 pounds, a noticeable difference from a 1.4 pound basketball. Weighted basketballs typically cost around $30.

Speed and Agility Equipment

Speed and agility equipment are used to improve upon the overall athleticism of basketball players, not necessarily basketball specific skills like shooting. These pieces of equipment can often be found in other sports, also being used for conditioning. Read on to find out more about different types of speed and agility equipment, and how they help basketball players improve.

Agility Ladder

An agility ladder can be used for many different exercises that benefit you in basketball. Regardless of the exercise, agility ladders are used to improve agility and quickness in players. Additionally, agility ladders can be used to improve cardio and athletic endurance. An agility ladder generally costs between $15 and $25.

Cones

Cones are a simple, yet extremely impactful type of basketball training equipment. These cone markers help players know exactly where to start and stop running, leaving no room for confusion. They can also be used to provide direction during dribbling drills, giving players obstacles to dribble around. A set of plastic cones costs around $20.

Jump Rope

Jump rope is a common exercise tool used to build cardiovascular endurance. In basketball, jumping rope is a great way to build athletic endurance that helps players run up and down the court at a rapid pace during a fast-paced game. Jump ropes are very cheap, costing around $5-15.

Miniature Hurdles

Miniature hurdles are another key piece of speed and agility equipment. Miniature hurdles are often used in a line, and players are tasked with hopping over each hurdle in rapid succession. This type of exercise helps players develop their cardio, while also promoting foot speed. Miniature hurdles cost around $30-60.

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