Basketball is a great game because of the entertainment factor. If you turn on any basketball game, whether it is the NCAA tournament in March or an NBA game, there is one common factor; the athleticism that is shown is truly amazing.
Basketball can start at a young age, many of our youth starting the game as young as five years old. Youth basketball is developmental in nature and can become a great team experience, as well as a great opportunity to develop as a player from a young age.
One of the great things about basketball is the fast-paced nature of the game and how quickly a basketball game can be completed. Typically a game will last roughly 90 minutes, but the action is outstanding and entertaining.
Whether you are interested in learning the game of basketball a little more, or you are on a journey with one of your children, just starting out, you have come to the right place. We will discuss what a double double is in basketball and also provide some tips that will help to improve the skills necessary to be successful.
So, What is a Double Double in Basketball?
A player is considered to achieve a double double in basketball when he or she reaches 10 or more in two of the following categories: points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. The most common are points, rebounds, and assists. Some players average a double double, which is quite a feat, considering the skill set necessary as well as the energy and endurance needed to achieve these.
Below we will break down the following:
- The five statistical categories
- The history of the double double
- Tips on the skills required to achieve a double double
- Other related questions regarding a double double
The Five Statistical Categories
Points
The points category of a double double is probably the easiest to obtain, as the scoring during the action of basketball is typically worth two or three points. Along with these opportunities, which are considered, scoring from the field, free throws are a possibility as well. The advantage of free throws is that the clock is stopped, therefore adding to the points category as no time is being run off. Free throws are worth one point.
In the NBA and even in college, this category is typically reached in the first half, and sometimes in the first quarter of play. There are many players in the NBA that actually average 20-25 points a game, making the points category fairly easy to achieve.
As long as a player scores 10 or more points this qualifies them to achieve a double double.
Rebounds
Rebounds may be the second easiest category to achieve. In the NBA, for example, rebounds can easily be had off of free throws, as many of these rebounds are uncontested. Averaging 10 rebounds per game is challenging, but very manageable depending on what position the player is. Small forward, power forwards, and centers have the best change at pulling rebounds, since most of their play is done around the basket.
Shooting guards and point guards have a more difficult task at grabbing 10 or more rebounds in a game as they spend a lot of time away from the basket and many times outside the arc.
Nowadays, players are putting up more overall shots than 25-30 years ago. Some of this has to do with philosophical changes in how teams play the game. Some teams tend to get off as many shots as possible, whereas years ago, there was more emphasis on shooting quality shots versus today where it is sometimes quantity of shots that are valued.
Assists
Reaching double digits in assists is definitely more difficult than points and rebounds. Most of the time, it is easier for a point guard to reach double digits and assists than it is any other position. The point guard handles the ball much more than anyone else and therefore has the best shot and having assists.
Nowadays, there are more points scored, and more assists available. This has made reaching a double double much easier for point guards and other players that handled the ball more than others.
The game has become more of a three point shooting game than it was 30 years ago. The pace is also faster, allowing for more assists to be available.
Blocks
Defensive block is the next category in order to reach a double double. This is a very challenging stat to reach double digits in. This really is only achieved by taller players, such as power forwards and centers.
Most of the time, double doubles are not achieved by using the block category. If this category is achieved, most of the time the player actually achieves a triple double, which includes three different categories instead of two different categories.
Steals
The final category in order to achieve a double double is steals. He still is when a defender takes the ball from somebody on offense and possesses it. This is more common for smaller players, such as point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards.
To achieve 10 steals in a game is quite an accomplishment, as this does not happen very often, especially at the higher levels of basketball. The NBA may be the most difficult to reach double digits in steals. At the high school level, it is more common to see steals occurring in a basketball game, however the quarter lengths are much shorter than college and the NBA.
The NBA Leaders in Each Category
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Total Points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for many is considered one the best all-time to play in the NBA. Abdul-Jabbar played in 1,560 games in his career and is the all-time career leader in points, with 38,387 points.
Abdul-Jabbar averaged 24.6 points per game and 11.2 rebounds per game. Abdul-Jabbar average a double double throughout his career in points and rebounds and was a dominant force on the court for many years.
Rebounds
Wilt Chamberlain is the career leader in rebounds with 23,924 total throughout his career. Chamberlain was a dominant force on the basketball court and for some is considering the best ever to play the game of basketball.Chamberlain played in 1,045 games during the course of his career and averaged 30.1 points per game and 22.9 rebounds, which is an unbelievable stat.
Chamberlain not only averaged a double double, but it was really easy for him to do this. It wasn’t really even close each game for him, and he did this for his entire career. No one may ever pass Wilt Chamberlain in rebounds as he is far ahead of the competition.
Assists
John Stockton holds the record for the most career assists with 15,806 total in his career. He is the leader in this category, with the next player being Jason Kid, with only 12,091, which may never be reached again. John Stockton was a point guard in the NBA from 1984-2003 and was one of the best at his skill set.
Stockton was a dynamic ball handler and recorded a record number of assists for a game with 28 total on January 15, 1991 in a home game against the San Antonio Spurs. Stockton played with the great Karl Malone as the two players made opposing teams look very silly at times. These two are considered in the top two to ever play together.
Blocks
The leader in blocks all-time in the NBA is Hakeem Olajuwon with 3,830 total in his career. Olajuwon played in 1,238 games and averaged 3.1 blocks per game, which is a very impressive feat. Olajuwon was also a dominant offensive player as he averaged 21.8 points per game for his career.
Hakeem Olajuwon shut down some of the best scorers in the league for many years, taking pride in not allowing opposing teams to have easy shots in the paint. Not only did he have a lot of blocks, but he altered many shots as well, as the smaller players always were hesitant to attack the basket when he was on the court.
Steals
John Stockton holds the record for career steals with 3,265 in his career. This is very amazing considering he is also the assist leader all-time as well. Stockton averaged 2.2 steals per game throughout his career.
John Stockton was an all-around player, who had the ability to handle the ball, make the players around him better, and also played defense at the highest level. Stockton had a great career and is considered by many the best point guard to ever play the game of basketball.
Want to Achieve Double Doubles, Here are Some Tips
Tip #1 – Work on Shooting
The easiest category to achieve double digits is the points category. Scoring has become something that everyone is interested in, especially at the lower levels. Some, though, do not properly work on their shot, and at young ages, get into bad habits.
Make sure that you are practicing shooting correctly. Get coached by someone who is knowledgeable about the game of basketball, and specifically shooting. There are many, very specific skills involved with shooting, and it starts with getting your feet set.
See this video for some simple tips on shooting from one of today’s best shooters, Steph Curry:
Tip #2 – Become a Great Ball Handler
Handling the ball is such an important skill to possess. Becoming a great but all handler is an essential skill no matter what position you play on the basketball court. Handling the ball will give you a better opportunity to score points, and also accumulate assists.
Many times, what we see at the younger levels of basketball, is that there are only a few good ball handlers on the court. This is definitely a flaw in the system with youth basketball. Handling the basketball should be done with everybody on the team, especially at the youth levels, as this is a crucial skill for every position on a basketball team.
Here is a great video on improving ball handling:
Tip #3 – Get Stronger
Being strong is essential for any sport, and basketball is no different. The ability to jump and be physical in basketball is very important. The best rebounders ever have been strong basketball players. Their jumping abilities have also been a featured skill.
Being in the weight room is an important habit to get into. Working on the lower body is essential to increasing your vertical jump as well as your physicality for rebounding and blocking shots.
Final Thoughts
A double double in basketball is not as difficult as a triple double. Many players in the NBA average a double double. This is less likely at the lower levels, and when a high school player averages a double double, this is a standout player.
Points, rebounds, assess, blocks, and steals are the five categories in which a player can achieve a double double. Double digits in two of these categories can be achieved during many games. Some of the best NBA players achieve this on a nightly basis, which is an incredible feat.
If you desire to become a great basketball player, it is important to work on your skill sets. The best to ever play the game of basketball always worked hard at their skills, as basketball is one of the most difficult sports to be great in.
