"The Claw" - as it is called - is the elementary term for the grip on the basketball. People who are good at the claw can hold the ball steady with a single hand but when players are just learning the basics of basketball they will be practicing the grip with both hands. There are some players who instinctively make the claw as they toss around the basketball and there are others who fumble around with the ball when they are first learning. Naturally, as you might expect, those players who have the claw naturally will not need anywhere near the practice that a person without this skill will need.

It is ashame but I have seen many otherwise brilliant players completely ruined because they don't have a firm grasp of the claw. There are many techniques to training players to use the claw. The simplest technique is to make players pass the ball to one another and progressively move closer together. Just before losing complete control of the ball the players will be using the claw. Once you've explained to them exactly what the claw is and how it can help during a game (especially in controlling a hook shot or dribbling to confuse a defender) they should generally catch on to the idea.

For those players who find it difficult to learn the claw even after the previously mentioned method it may be suitable to start them out with a smaller ball like a baseball (or even feasibly a golf ball, but that's probably more humiliating than helpful to the student). Have the player hold the baseball (or other kind of ball) for an extended period of time - instructing them to squeeze the ball - they must squeeze only slightly or their hand will tire before they are done with the exercise. They must focus on making their hand in the claw-like shape at first not worrying about how hard they are holding the ball.

That's the basics of learning and teaching the claw, it is a fundamental tool of any basketball player and the teaching of it is important for the coach to recognize. There are many ways to teach and to learn the claw and a little experimentation and wavering from traditional methods isn't really a bad thing. Never be afraid in your coaching to try something off-the-wall . . . it adds to the enjoyment of the game.

Learn more about this author, Anton Taylor.
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