How to improve basketball game

A Complete Guide On How To Get Better At Basketball Fast

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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 basketball at home? Let’s read on to discover!

Detailed steps to get better at basketball

Contents

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

9 Ways to Improve Your Basketball Game

Everyone wants to be the best player on the court. It’s only human to want to be better than your opponents and help your team win. However, you can’t simply will yourself to sink baskets and dominate defensively. (Check out these basketball defense drills.) You need to practice, train and have the right mindset to achieve your goals. Below are nine things you can do to improve as a basketball player.

There is no magic to getting better—it takes time and repetitions. The “10,000-Hour Rule,” made famous by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers: The Secret to Success, states that it takes at least 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. Genetics and complexity can accelerate or impair the process. For example, not everyone can dunk, but jumping rope doesn’t take 10,000 hours to master.

2. Quality Repetitions

The quality of your work is more important than the quantity. This doesn’t mean you should put in less time; it means you will benefit more from a few high-quality repetitions than from a lot of sloppy ones. High quality means you execute at game speed, focus on technique and maintain a high level of energy, instead of going through the motions or rushing to finish. For example, perform a shooting drill instead of shooting around. Low-quality reps can actually hurt your game by reinforcing poor form. They are simply a waste of time.

Many players seem unconcerned about the little things—like form and footwork—but they can make a big difference in your game. You have to make sure you have a solid foundation, or else the little things will hurt you down the line. Alan Stein, owner of Stronger Team, says, “The work you put in is a brick, and you build your building brick by brick.”

4. Discipline

Always be disciplined. Give 100% effort during exercises and skills practice. Don’t slack off when you’re tired, and never miss a workout. If you are going to do something, don’t do it halfway.

Shooting correctly is not a naturally comfortable movement. (Learn proper shooting technique.) Playing as low as you should defensively and offensively is not comfortable. However, as you push yourself and improve at these things, they will get easier and you will get better.

Players tend to be externally motivated and need a push to practice with intensity. No matter what the drill is, you can bring your own intensity. For example, you can push yourself to get more repetitions or execute better without the need of a coach. Always be focused and try your hardest, even if the drill seems boring or slow.

You need to judge your work based on what you are able to do. If you can finish a Down and Back in eight seconds, don’t settle for ten seconds, even if that is the time limit or it’s enough to finish first.

At Thunder Sports Institute, players don’t slow down until they pass the finish line; and they don’t stop for another 10 to 15 feet beyond that point. When touching a line before turning around, make sure the line is under the center of your body. You are not working to get through the drill. You are working to get better.

The better you want to be, the more work you need to put in. Improving your game doesn’t come overnight. It takes the same amount of work to maintain the level you have achieved, but even more to make it to the next level. Dedication pays off, but you have to be willing to make sacrifices to achieve your goals.

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Everyone wants to be the best player on the court. It’s only human to want to be better than your opponents and help your team win. However, you can’t simply will yourself to sink baskets and dominate defensively. (Check out these basketball defense drills.) You need to practice, train and have the right mindset to achieve your goals. Below are nine things you can do to improve as a basketball player.

There is no magic to getting better—it takes time and repetitions. The “10,000-Hour Rule,” made famous by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers: The Secret to Success, states that it takes at least 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. Genetics and complexity can accelerate or impair the process. For example, not everyone can dunk, but jumping rope doesn’t take 10,000 hours to master.

The quality of your work is more important than the quantity. This doesn’t mean you should put in less time; it means you will benefit more from a few high-quality repetitions than from a lot of sloppy ones. High quality means you execute at game speed, focus on technique and maintain a high level of energy, instead of going through the motions or rushing to finish. For example, perform a shooting drill instead of shooting around. Low-quality reps can actually hurt your game by reinforcing poor form. They are simply a waste of time.

Many players seem unconcerned about the little things—like form and footwork—but they can make a big difference in your game. You have to make sure you have a solid foundation, or else the little things will hurt you down the line. Alan Stein, owner of Stronger Team, says, “The work you put in is a brick, and you build your building brick by brick.”

Always be disciplined. Give 100% effort during exercises and skills practice. Don’t slack off when you’re tired, and never miss a workout. If you are going to do something, don’t do it halfway.

5. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Shooting correctly is not a naturally comfortable movement. (Learn proper shooting technique.) Playing as low as you should defensively and offensively is not comfortable. However, as you push yourself and improve at these things, they will get easier and you will get better.

Players tend to be externally motivated and need a push to practice with intensity. No matter what the drill is, you can bring your own intensity. For example, you can push yourself to get more repetitions or execute better without the need of a coach. Always be focused and try your hardest, even if the drill seems boring or slow.

You need to judge your work based on what you are able to do. If you can finish a Down and Back in eight seconds, don’t settle for ten seconds, even if that is the time limit or it’s enough to finish first.

At Thunder Sports Institute, players don’t slow down until they pass the finish line; and they don’t stop for another 10 to 15 feet beyond that point. When touching a line before turning around, make sure the line is under the center of your body. You are not working to get through the drill. You are working to get better.

The better you want to be, the more work you need to put in. Improving your game doesn’t come overnight. It takes the same amount of work to maintain the level you have achieved, but even more to make it to the next level. Dedication pays off, but you have to be willing to make sacrifices to achieve your goals.

Share This Story!

Training to improve protection

Training to improve protection

Learning how to move in defense.

1. Move in a defensive stance diagonally backwards. After 3-5 steps, turn around and change direction. Then do the same diagonally forward. 2. Do the same but add hand movements. The far hand works to protect against the transfer, the near hand imitates the capture of the ball. 2-3 sets of 5 diagonals forward and backward.

DETAILS : Increase and decrease your movement speed. Keep your back, don't jump in the move. The back leg drags along the floor.

CHIPS : Emphasis on the first step, it must be fast and taken with the lead foot.

Improving protective actions.

1. Five attackers stand on the perimeter and pass the ball to each other, each of them has a defender. Defenders must change their stance and shift to the correct position depending on the ball. 2. The same, but with active defense, try to intercept or take the ball away. 3. At the signal of the teacher, the player with the ball goes into the aisle. For 30 seconds, then change roles, 3 times.

DETAILS : Defenders must always see the ball, keep their distance, actively use their hands.

CHIPS : The drill will be especially effective if performed without fouls.

Improving protective actions.

1. Stand opposite each other with a partner. The attacker stands still and performs turns, moving the ball to the side. The defender reacts to the attacker's movements and moves accordingly, making defensive movements with both hands in front of the ball. 2. The defender tries to knock out or take the ball away from the attacker. 30 seconds each, 3 sets.

DETAILS : Low stance, keep distance, back straight.

CHIPS : The drill will be especially effective if performed without fouls.

Improving protective actions.

One player (playing) has the ball, two other players - a defender and an attacker. The striker makes movements (forward / backward, right / left), trying to get a pass from the player with the ball. The defender plays in a closed stance, covering the passing line, making it difficult for the attacker to receive the ball. If the pass is still passed, then the attacker must perform turns (one circle forward or backward) and give a reverse pass to the playing along, and the defender must actively interfere with him, try to knock out or take the ball away. 30 seconds in each role, 3 times (change in a circle).

DETAILS : The defender must always have a view of the ball, keep his distance, actively use his hands. The attacker must perform turns without running.

Learning the basic defensive stance.

From a standing position, take a protective stance at the signal. At the next signal, return to the starting position. 10-15 times.

DETAILS : Feet slightly wider than shoulder width and parallel, arms in line with legs, shoulders relaxed, arms half-bent, palms open towards attacker.

CHIPS : The stand must be very stable. To check this, you can knock a little.

Improving protective actions.

1. Three attackers stand in a triangle and pass the ball to each other, each of them has a defender. The defensive stance varies depending on the ball. If your player has the ball, then a parallel stance with active hand work; if the ball is in the possession of a nearby player (in one pass), then a closed stance with overlapping of the transfer line; if the far player has the ball (in two passes), then the stance is open. 2. The same, but with active defense, try to intercept or take the ball away. For 30 seconds, then change roles, 3 times.

DETAILS : Defenders must always see the ball, keep their distance, actively use their hands.

Learning how to move in defense.

Get into a protective stance and move around: 1. Small steps to one side and the other. 2. Small steps to one and the other side with greater speed. 20-30 seconds each exercise.

DETAILS : Leading foot turned slightly in the direction of travel, the "back" foot does not approach the leading, the distance between the legs is maintained.

CHIPS : Emphasis on the first step, it must be fast and taken with the lead foot.

Learning how to move in defense.

1. Move backwards in a defensive stance in a zigzag from the beginning to the middle of the court, quickly, without stopping. Come back with an easy run. 2. Do the same in alternation with acceleration. Start with 2-3 times, and later increase the number of times or distance.

DETAILS : Keep your back, don't jump in the move.

CHIPS : Emphasis on the first step, it must be fast and taken with the lead foot.

Learning how to move in defense.

Move in a protective stance: 1. Back and forth, adding a normal run every three steps. 2. In one direction and in the other, adding the usual run at the command of the coach. 20-30 seconds each exercise.

DETAILS : Leading foot turned slightly in the direction of travel, the "back" foot does not approach the leading, the distance between the legs is maintained.

Improving protective actions.

1. Stand opposite each other with a partner. The attacker dribbles the ball in place with cover, the defender tries to knock out or take the ball away. If he succeeds, then the defender gives the ball back to the attacker. 2. The same, but the attacker moves left and right along the line in 3-5 steps. 3. The same, but the attacker moves diagonally back and forth in 3-5 steps. 30 seconds each, 3 sets.

DETAILS : Keep your distance, back straight.

CHIPS : The drill will be especially effective if performed without fouls.

Learning how to move in defense.

Stand opposite each other in protective stances with a partner. One makes movements, the other repeats after him: 1. The host moves in one direction and the other, makes various movements with his hands (raises and lowers). 2. The leader moves in one direction and the other, sometimes adding a normal run. 30 seconds each, 3 sets.

DETAILS : Increase and decrease your movement speed. Keep your back, don't jump in the move. The back leg drags along the floor.

CHIPS : Turn on your imagination, perform different movements.

Learning how to move in defense.

Accelerating forward 1/4 of the landing, at the end of a step with active work of the hands - moving sideways in a protective stance - again accelerating forward with a step and so on. 3 sites.

DETAILS : Keep your back straight, low stance in defensive movements, active arm work

Improving protective actions.

One player (playing) has the ball, two other players - a defender and an attacker. The striker makes movements (forward / backward, right / left), trying to get a pass from the player with the ball. The defender plays in a closed stance, covering the passing line, making it difficult for the attacker to receive the ball. If the transfer still went through, then the attacker returns the ball to the play-by-player and opens again. 30 seconds in each role, 3 times (change in a circle).

DETAILS : The defender must always see the ball, keep his distance.

Defensive Tips From Marcus Smart

The Celtics' Star Guard reveals how to get better at guarding your opponent.

The Celtics star guard told how to get better at guarding an opponent.

DISCOVERED THE NUANCES OF THE DEFENSIVE GAME OF ONE OF THE NBA'S BEST DEFENDERS

It's worth starting with the fact that the game in defense is highly dependent on the mental state and charge of the opponent. You have to really want to take the ball from your opponent. Often, the best defenders on the team don't get much of the ball offensively, so you really should enjoy playing defensively and enjoy every touch of the ball defensively.

It's also important to say that in order to play defense at a high level you have to be very strong. Your body should be ready to move around the court for a long time in a defensive stance. To do this, you must strengthen all muscle groups: legs, back, core and arms.

It is all these principles and rules that are constantly broadcast by Boston player Marcus Smart, who is rightly considered one of the most outstanding defensive players. We study his master class on protection.

It's worth starting with the fact that defensive play is highly dependent on the opponent's mental state and charge. You have to really want to take the ball from your opponent. Often, the best defenders on the team don't get much of the ball offensively, so you really should enjoy playing defensively and enjoy every touch of the ball defensively.

It's also important to say that in order to play defense at a high level you have to be very strong. Your body should be ready to move around the court for a long time in a defensive stance. To do this, you must strengthen all muscle groups: legs, back, core and arms.

It is all these principles and rules that are constantly broadcast by Boston player Marcus Smart, who is rightly considered one of the most outstanding defensive players. We study his master class on protection.

Make an opponent dribble with a weak hand

Timing: 00:03

Marcus explains in this video the basic principle of defense that is the basis of his game. This rule is taught in the first classes on working in defense absolutely everywhere.

Study your opponent to be ready for his movements

Timing: 2:28

This is a very basic but very important tip that the best players in the league use all the time. If you have the opportunity to prepare before an important game, then do not ignore this opportunity.

Timing: 3:20

Smart shows an important move that will help improve your defense. Be sure to pay attention.

Pinky drag

Timing: 05:10

Marcus remembered his least favorite exercise from his school workouts. This is a regular shuttle run (penalty, middle, far penalty, full court), but they must be performed with a hand pressed to the floor (can be changed).

Feel not only your pace, but also your opponent's pace

Timing: 08:19

Control your opponent's dribbling pace and lunge for an interception as the ball returns from the floor to your opponent's hand.

Lightness is one of the important details

Timing: 10:52

In order to quickly react to your opponent's movements when pressing, you should move with support on your toes. Movement should be light, like a boxer in the ring.

Play to your strengths

Timing: 12:55

Always play to your strengths. For example, if the opponent is faster than you, then it is worth imposing a viscous contact game on him and then it will be more difficult for him to beat you.

These are just a few tips from Markus that you can find in the video. If you want a more detailed understanding of the game of defense, then we advise you to watch the full video.

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