Home » Misc » How to get good at basketball by yourself
How to get good at basketball by yourself
A Complete Guide On How To Get Better At Basketball Fast
Scotttfujita.com is an informative blog for readers. The products in the article contain affiliate marketing links. We may receive a small commission when you make purchases through our links. You do not need to pay any additional fees for us. See our full disclosures here
Playing basketball is not a skill that you can master in an instant. Even professional basketball players have to spend a lot of time practicing every day.
However, if you are a novice or young basketball player and want to master the basic steps to improve your skills, Scott Fujita will guide you in the article below.
How to get better at basketballat home? Let’s read on to discover!
Detailed steps to get better at basketball
Contents
How To Get Better At Basketball
To be able to play basketball well, you need to know some basic basketball skills. The first step is always the most important to understand the movements often used in competition.
Related:
Basic skills of basketball
How to become a basketball coach
How to shoot a basketball
1. Master Your Ball Handling Skills
To become a better player, the first thing you need to do is develop strong basketball dribbling skills. Start with simple dribbling drills and work your way up to mastery.
It would help if you started practicing with a centered athletic position. Keep your nose behind your toes and loaded hips, so you will not lean forward. Balance is the key to effective basketball handling.
Start moving the ball around your body in a static and athletic position. Don’t hesitate to dribble forcefully to the side of your foot when handling the ball.
You should maintain a bounce height between your knees and hips for the best control. Practice a few times in that sweet spot and then start dribbling. It ensures to keep the ball within your range to score better.
To gain more ball control, you need to put more force in after each dribble. We recommend practicing two-handed dribbling every day until your dribbling skills become proficient.
Also, pay attention to the three basic basketball skills: midfoot, back, and crossovers.
You will need to combine or create new dribbles based on these basic moves in a basketball game. It is vital to make sure you understand this step well before moving on to the other steps.
Check out this video to get an ultimate guide on how to get better at basketball dribbling.
2. Identify And Fix Your Weak Spots
Once you’ve played basketball for a while, you’ll have a clear understanding of your abilities. Set aside a certain amount of time each day to self-assess your performance. Usually, it will take you five to ten minutes to think about and list all of your strengths and weaknesses on paper.
Finding out your weaknesses will help you determine which basketball drills you should practice. For example, if you have trouble at the free-throw line, increase your free throws practice next time.
To become an elite basketball court player, you need to identify and eliminate your flaws to perfect every game aspect.
3. Practice At A Game-Time Pace
Most basketball players perform better in solo practice than they do in basketball games. The main reason for this drop in form is that the pressure of time and the game’s fast pace sometimes overwhelms you.
If you tend to shine in practice games but are poor at shooting and dribbling in real matches, chances are you haven’t kept up with game speed. When practicing or playing one on one, imagine defensive players covering you. It will help you a lot in keeping up with the actual game speed.
Opponent defenders won’t wait until you’ve completed a dribble or tried to find the best throw distance to the basketball hoop. If you want to practice shooting, let’s assume there are a lot of opponents around you. Those who hesitate to practice will not be able to perform well in actual conditions. It would be best if you remembered that.
4. Improve Your Physical Fitness
You will not be able to improve your basketball skills if you are not physically fit. Whether you’re a defense or offensive player, fitness is essential to keep a basketball player competitive.
To be able to run across the field, you need to build endurance. Even if you’ve mastered basic skills like dribbling and passing skills, you won’t be able to keep up with your teammates if you’re quickly exhausted after five minutes of running. The best exercises for building endurance include endurance running, sprinting, or weight training to build muscle.
Power dribble before each game to warm up is also an excellent way to get used to the tempo of practice. Do these routines daily to increase your stamina. As muscle mass increases, it will help you become more aggressive to elevate you.
You need to practice shooting basketball frequently
5. Improve Your Shooting Motion
You need to take some shooting drills to build the foundation for your shots. The lower body is the starting point for every shot that can score points. So, you need to focus on training and training your lower body.
Start by pointing your toes in the same direction, first placing them perpendicular to the rim. During practice, try to find the most natural position for your body. If you push the arch of your foot into the floor to load your lower body, it will give you strength and consistency.
Keep your knees behind your toes and focus on letting energy and power flow from your feet to your hips and buttocks. Finally, stroke your toes, knees, hips, and shoulders. Don’t forget to flex your legs after each shot.
You can also use the hand-eye coordination method to make your shooting arm stronger. If you want to practice at home, stand in front of a mirror without a ball in hand.
6. Work On Your Hand Alignment In Playing Time
For a consistent ball feel, optimize your hand positioning. It affects the proper spin, feel connection, and controllability through which you fire. To find the correct hand position is to place the index finger of your dominant hand on the air valve of the ball. You can practice a shooting drill to get used to the feel of the ball in your hand.
When facing a defensive player, choose a high release point to make it harder for them to block. Keep your wrists and elbows in line with the basket. Extend your arms entirely so that your elbows end above the eye at the point of the shot.
7. Learn From Game Tapes And Realistic Matches
For beginners, watching other basketball players play is also an excellent way to learn. Not only with basketball but also other sports. You can see how people play defense as well as set up attack tactics accordingly.
Professional games like the NBA are often thrilling but not suitable for learning. They usually pay attention to individual skills or highlights of the players. In contrast, high school and college tournaments use longer shot clocks. It is more suitable for the way teenagers play.
Observe and save skills that can be useful to bolster your offensive and defensive game. You won’t be able to practice defensive drills without help from other players. So this would be a good way to learn.
Don’t forget to play one on one with a defender
8. Try To Create Space From A Defender
Playing defense is difficult if you practice alone. Most of our exercises will revolve around attacking and scoring. So how can you master the shooting and scoring?
A helpful tip is to observe defensive players’ feet, hands, and noses. They will help you roughly determine their standing position to predict their next move. Make quick judgments and create space with jabs or jumps.
When creating space from a tight defender, you need to achieve three goals. These include breaking balance, keeping the ball close, and creating a lane to the basket.
We recommend that you combine watching the video tutorials below to get the best results.
Final Thoughts
For you to become a better basketball player, talent is not the deciding factor. Famous stars like Michael Jordan or LeBron James also have a hard time practicing to master skills and apply them flexibly during competition. Take time to practice every day, and you will quickly realize your progress.
Thank you for reading!
How to Get Better at Basketball in 2 Hours (10-Step Guide)
Basketball is a competitive sport.
Every day there are millions of players attempting to improve their basketball skills.
This could be to improve their minutes on the court, to make the local HS team, or simply score more points while mucking around with friends.
If you want to learn how to get better at basketball, this 10-step guide is for you.
By the end of the post, you’ll know exactly how to get better at basketball in only 2 hours.
Here’s what you need to do:
How to Get Better at Basketball in 10 Steps
1. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
(10 minutes)
The first ten minutes are dedicated to understanding how you currently impact the game.
Here’s what you need to do:
Sit down with a pen and a piece of paper
Split the page into two columns: a. Strengths b. Weaknesses
Spend 10 minutes thinking about your game and writing down the things you do well during a basketball game (strengths), and the things you don’t do well (weaknesses).
When you’re finished, your page should look something like this:
This page will help you in several ways:
a. You’ll be able to focus on maximising your strengths during a game.
b. You’ll be able to avoid your current weaknesses as much as possible.
c. It will help you design basketball workouts to improve your skills.
2. Find Opportunities to Score in the Offense (10 Minutes)
Next, we’ll focus on improving your scoring.
Think about your current role within the team’s offense and set plays…
(Depending on the level of basketball you’re currently playing, your coach may have provided you with a booklet breaking down the team’s offense and set plays. If so, now is a great time to utilise that.)
Where are your main opportunities to score?
For example…
If your team is running the 5-out motion, you’ll have many opportunities to score:
Using an on-ball screen.
Setting an on-ball screen.
Curling off an away screen.
Outside shots off a cut.
Facing up and attacking.
Basket cuts.
Backdoor cuts.
etc.
Once you have this list, figure out which scoring opportunities best fit your skill set.
For your team’s set plays…
Think about the role you usually fill in each of them.
“Which plays result in you getting an opportunity to score?”
“What type of shot is it?”
“What part of the floor is it from?”
These are all very important questions to know.
3. Find Other Opportunities to Get Cheap Points (5 Minutes)
Outside of the team’s offense and set plays…
There are many other ways you can score an extra 6 - 10 points every game if you’re willing to work hard and compete.
Some of these include:
a. Offensive Rebounds
If the coach’s game plan allows it, be willing to attack the hoop and battle for offensive rebounds when a teammate puts up a shot.
Even if you don’t score yourself, passing after an offensive rebound can lead to a wide open shot for one of your teammates.
b. Sprint the Floor Hard
Unless you’re tasked with bringing the basketball up the court, make sure you’re sprinting down the floor on every change of possession.
Every point guard should be ready to pass over the defense giving you a wide open layup.
c. Set More Screens
This is a very overlooked way to get more shot opportunities.
When you set a screen for a teammate, there’s a high chance the defense will get confused and you’ll find yourself open to score.
If they switch, take advantage of your mismatch.
If they trap / double the ball-handler, roll into space for an open shot or layup.
4. Identify Ways to Increase Your Playing Time (10 Minutes)
It’s a taboo topic…
But there ARE several things you can do to increase your playing time.
Spending more time on the court will allow you to gain more valuable experience, have a bigger impact on the game, and prove your skills to the coach, teammates, and everyone watching.
Learn how by reading this post on increasing your playing time.
Some of the tactics include:
a. Improve Your Level of Fitness
If your current conditioning doesn’t allow you to be productive for long periods of time, your coach isn’t going to play you many minutes.
b. Become a Great Defender
Every coach loves to have a go-to defensive player to shut down an opposing player when they’re having a great game.
Be this player.
c. Be Willing to do the Dirty Work
Games are won and lost by very few possessions.
If you’re a player who’s willing to take a charge, dive on a loose ball, or fight hard for an offensive rebound…
Your coach IS going to give you more minutes.
5. Create a Workout Program (20 Minutes)
Here’s something you must understand:
If you’re only working on your skills during team practices, you’re never going to extend yourself from the competition or your teammates.
You MUST be practicing in your own time.
Which means creating a basketball workout to use at least 3 times per week.
You have a few options:
1. Create Your Own Workout
This involves putting together a list of drills that you’ll go through each workout.
It’s important to refer back to the pages you created with your strengths and weaknesses and also the shots you’ll get during games when you’re creating this.
They’ll help you put together a workout that’s customised to your needs.
Or...
2. Find a Basketball Workout
The other option you have is to simply find a basketball workout online to use.
I’ve put together several workouts you can find here:
3 Basketball Workouts for Players Who Want to Dominate
On that link are three workouts:
a. Advanced Guard Workout
b. Advanced Post Workout
c. Kids Basketball Workout
Pick the one you think suits your game the most (or swap between all of them), download and print off the document, and then complete the workouts.
6. Schedule Time to Complete Your Workouts (5 Minutes)
This is one of the most important things I’ve learnt in the past few years:
If you don’t schedule time to do something, it won’t happen.
If you simply “hope” that your workout happens, I promise you other things will get in the way and you won’t find time to get it done.
You must schedule your workouts into your calendar and make the a priority.
Treat your workouts like doctors appointments.
You can’t miss them.
7. Improve Your Shooting Technique (10 Minutes)
Shooting is the most important skill in basketball:
Start by reading my complete guide on shooting technique.
In it, you’ll learn:
10 steps to great shooting
5 shooting form mistakes
Why becoming a great shooter is important
3 must-use shooting drills
11 shooting tips
+ more
Make sure you’re shooting the basketball with correct technique.
8. Improve Your Dribbling Technique (10 Minutes)
Dribbling technique next.
Here’s what you’ll learn in my complete guide on dribbling correctly:
How to protect the ball from defenders
Which part of your hand shouldn’t touch the basketball
The importance of being ambidextrous
3 important dribbling drills
Then it’s time to go outside (or in the gym) with your basketball and make sure you’re using the correct dribbling technique.
9. Commit to a Free-Throw Routine (10 Minutes)
With all the hustling you’ve committed to do, you’re going to be shooting a lot more free-throws.
So, let’s make sure you’ve got a routine.
Having a free-throw routine when you step to the line will provide you with confidence and will give you something to focus on to block out pressure.
Mine looks like this:
Stand back and receive the basketball.
Spin the ball and set my feet.
Three bounces
Shoot.
It doesn’t matter what your free-throw routine consists of…
But make sure it’s exactly the same every time you step to the line!
10. Play 1-on-1 Against a Great Player (30 Minutes)
This is absolutely the #1 way to get better at basketball.
Here’s how to do it:
a. Find someone who’s slightly better at basketball than you
This could be a friend, teammate, random person in the gym, anyone…
b. Challenge them to a game of 1-on-1
You can play to 11 or 21, and it doesn’t matter whether the scorer gets the basketball back or whether you switch who has the ball on every possession.
Simple, isn’t it?
1-on-1 is fantastic for development because you don’t have any teammates to bail you out.
Offensively...
You don’t have anyone to pass to when you get stuck.
You’re forced to learn how to create a shot and score against an opponent using fakes (shot fakes, jab steps), correct footwork, and smart decisions.
Defensively…
You don’t have any teammates to save you.
Your only option is to play tough and smart on-ball defense and guard your yard.
1-on-1 works on every part of your game!
Advanced Tip - Play one-on-one with limited dribbles allowed. For example, the offensive player can only take 3 dribbles before they must shoot.
Conclusion
Every player claims they want to get better at basketball…
But there aren’t many doing it the right way.
Unfortunately, most players aren’t focused on the things that will allow them to become better players and compete with the best players in their region.
Examples:
Instead of working on their shooting technique, they’re practicing fadeaway shots.
Instead of figuring out their strengths, they’re complaining about the coach.
By following the 10-step guide I’ve created above, I guarantee that you’ll be working on the things that will help you become a better player in the shortest amount of time.
How to get results in basketball
"Any experienced basketball player will tell you that there is a huge difference between learning and applying technique!"
Online basketball expert, national level player
Any experienced basketball player will tell you that there is a huge difference between learning and applying technique! It's only natural that beginners (or those who are returning to play after a long break) get caught up in the game on the court - all you hear is "rush. ..to the rim...lead...use the whole court". All your strength is focused on not making mistakes, in order to know that you do not let your team down. What exactly are you doing? Positions? rebounds? Blocks? Intercepts? This is really important, but there are other great ways to add value to the team. Take a break from your own achievements - this will allow you to become a more valuable player. This article does not contain obvious advice on keeping fit, working on speed, dribbling, serving, etc. But here you will find 5 ways to become more efficient from the very next game. You are much closer to success than you think!
The main reason basketball players lose passes and miss comfortable rebounds is because their hands aren't ready. This seems obvious, but still deserves special attention. Your hands should always be ready to receive the pass, and your palms are directed towards the ball - the server will perceive them as a target.
Here are a few exercises you can do during your warm-up to prepare for the game:
POWER DRIBLING HITTING THE BALL
The correct execution of passes gives confidence on the court. However, there are a few things to keep in mind here.
The basics of technique play a huge role for beginners. Practice a 2-handed chest pass and a bounce pass. After that, you can move on to other methods.
Don't pass just for the sake of passing. Determine who can take the pass, who can't, (identify strong offensive players, weak defenders) and go for it!
IMPORTANT: DO NOT KEEP THE BALL - make passes and passes will be made to you.
Low, wide stance: There are only 2 cases where you should deviate from this rule - this is rebounding and covering the ball. In any other situation, it is important that the stance is low: straight back, bent knees, feet shoulder-width apart, arms extended forward. In this position, you are firmly on your feet and ready to respond to passes. It is very important to be between the defender and the ring.
This is the main way to participate in offense without the ball! If you are a beginner basketball player, then you will most likely score infrequently. Perform screenings to:
give partners the opportunity to open up
open yourself
Shield the dribbler, shield your opponents without the ball (to help your teammates) and keep moving. The ball will find its way to you.
SITE 9 LOCATION0002 There are 8 main points on the court that attackers usually occupy to attack. Simple arithmetic suggests that at least 4 of them are free at this moment. Make sure you don't get too close to the rest of your team. Why?
This allows you to strengthen the attack - so it will be more difficult for defenders to keep track of all opponents;
You will be in a better position to shoot/pass/dribble to the basket when you receive the ball.
Do not forget that your hands should always be ready.
Try to consciously change positions (moving quickly between two points on the court) so that you get used to playing from different points. A conscious change of position will bring you the location of your team, but the enemy defender will clearly dislike you!
This is certainly not a complete list of tips, but rest assured that if you follow them, your next game will be better than the last!
Forward!
How to Become an NBA Scout (With Steps & Tips) • BUOM
By Indeed Editorial Team
Aug 26, 2021
A National Basketball Association (NBA) scout is looking for potential members of his basketball team by traveling and analyzing the performances of different players . There are many roles and responsibilities in this position, such as learning Scouting tactics, communicating with coaches and other Scouts, and providing incentives for new recruits. If you are interested in pursuing this career, you may want to know what steps it can take. In this article, we'll discuss the steps involved in becoming an NBA scout, explain what they do, and give tips on getting started.
Who is an NBA scout?
An NBA scout is an experienced professional who evaluates basketball players to find people to play for their team. They are keen to make sure these potential players are talented, and if they want to hire them, they may have to convince the players to join their team. Basketball scouts also judge whether potential recruits can work well with an existing team. Some basketball scouts may analyze other teams to learn about their strategies.
What does an NBA scout do?
An NBA scout travels to different locations to watch future basketball players during a game. There are different scouts for different levels of basketball, so NBA scouts usually look for college-level athletes. College basketball scouts typically evaluate high school basketball players for hire. They study different players and watch them play multiple games to gauge their talent and skills. If they want to recruit a player, then the scout prepares an offer for them. Some of their other roles may include:
Creation of basketball strategies
Assessment of the strengths and weaknesses
Preparation of its current command
Visit of basketball matches
22
9000
How to become an NBA scout
Here are four steps to become a basketball scout:
1.
Learn the rules of basketball
To discover talent, it is important to understand how the game works in order to assess the skills of the players, so you may need to take time to learn the rules of the game. As a basketball scout, you can also create game strategies and analyze other teams' strategies, which may require you to learn the rules. You can start by learning the basics, but over time you may need to know more advanced rules and strategies to be successful. Besides the rules, you can learn how to coach and the history of basketball. To learn the rules, consider playing basketball on your own and practicing some games.
2. Get a diploma
Depending on the level you work at, earning a degree to become a Scout is not always a requirement, but having a degree can help you get on the field and advance your career. Many college and NBA level scouts have a four-year bachelor's degree. You can specialize in exercise science, sports science, sports management, marketing and sales, or related areas of study. In these specialties, you can take courses such as nutrition, intelligence tactics, sports marketing, or kinesiology. You can also continue your education by obtaining a master's degree.
3. Gain experience
After completing your degree, you can start gaining work experience. You can do this by taking a job or volunteering as a basketball coach or scout. Consider applying for entry level scouting positions. This can be helpful as you may have little professional experience after college. Another option is to work as a part-time scout. This may allow you to gain professional experience without having to settle for a permanent job. You can even work part-time as a volunteer to gain additional experience. You can start by looking for an amateur level of basketball and work your way up.
4. Networking
As you work and gain experience, you can start making connections. Networking is important to building your career as a basketball scout because it can help you get to know many people such as coaches, players, and other scouts. This can help you find new talent and get information about different players. One aspect of the search is getting to know many people so that you can find resources such as colleagues or mentors. To network, try attending basketball-related events such as conferences, seminars, or workshops. You can even chat at scouting or recruiting events.
NBA Scouting Skills
Here are some skills that a basketball scout can use:
Communication
Communication refers to conveying a message, which requires clear language either orally or in writing. Basketball scouts often use communication when talking to their team, rookies, other scouts, or coaches. For example, they can talk to their team to strategize and train new hires, negotiate incentives, or offer them a job. Basketball scouts can talk to other scouts to discuss different recruiting tactics. They can communicate with coaches to ask questions about their players in order to inform them of intelligence decisions.
Interpersonal Skills
Basketball scouts use interpersonal skills when communicating with their team, recruits or coaches. Interpersonal skills are the ability to interact with others through body language, communication, and understanding verbal and non-verbal cues. This can mean active listening, where someone shows that they are listening or paying attention to the speaker. Interpersonal skills help Scouts build respectful relationships with others, which can help them find new players.
Adaptability
This skill refers to being flexible or adapting when something new happens. Adaptability can mean the ability to adapt well to changing or unpredictable events and adapt to new circumstances. Basketball scouts often use adaptability while on the job, as scouting is an industry that changes frequently. For example, if a scout's best choice rejects their offer, they can adapt to this change and choose a different recruit or make a new plan. If their recruiting strategies don't seem to be working, they may need to rethink their tactics.
Leadership
Basketball scouts use leadership to make informed decisions about their team and who to hire. They often help decide which players to pick, which can be an important part of building a successful team. To do this, they need leadership skills to maintain control and make valuable decisions. A successful leader can also help you communicate with potential recruits. Scouts can show that they are strong and reliable leaders, so recruits can feel confident in their team.
Tips for getting on the field
Here are some tips for getting on the field as a basketball scout:
Watch videos of games. To help you learn about basketball and learn new strategies, consider watching a lot of videos of basketball games. You can learn from staff by strategizing different teams and even learning from other teams' past mistakes.
Have contacts. This means that you have contact information for many basketball professionals such as coaches, scouts or players.