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 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.
Exercises for developing the speed of movements
Hello, dear visitors of the site " basketball-training.org.ua "! In today's article we will talk about such an important aspect of basketball training as speed development . Basketball is a very dynamic game, and basketball players (especially those playing in positions 1-3) have to move a lot, and often at a jerky pace. Jerks, stops, sharp and sudden changes in direction - all this requires good physical fitness and explosive speed.
The exercises that you will learn in this material will improve the speed of movement around the site, the speed and coordination of movements, and most importantly, will allow you to change direction with minimal delays. Let's start a story about the means and methods of developing speed in basketball players.
Training and development of speed
Let's start with the fact that during the game of basketball, the player has to perform jerks and accelerations over short distances (5,10,20 meters), because the court itself will not allow it anymore. So great results in the 100m do not always lead to the same success when trying to run into a fast break. Much more important will be the ability to quickly "switch" between running forward and backward, left and right.
Combining agility training with classic speed training will have a huge impact on your playing ability. As a result, you will not only be able to cover the distance from one ring to another much faster, but will also be able to direct the rest of your energy to perform other specific basketball elements, such as jump , feint or throw . But let's get straight to the exercises.
Speed Exercise #1: Super Shuttle
Starting position - on the end line under the ring
Start moving to point "A" in a protective stance
U-turn and fast dash from A to B, focusing on minimizing turnaround time
From point "B" with an added step in a protective stance we move to the starting position
We jump up and touch the shield (well, or the ring).
Back in defensive stance move to "C"
Turn and dash from "C" to "D"
With an added step in a protective stance, we return to the starting position
Jump out and touch the shield or ring
Super Shuttle
The exercise is performed 6-8 times with a 60-90 second break in between. If you are a coach, or just do this exercise with friends, then I suggest a little increase in motivation to do it. As soon as the first player reaches point "A", the second one starts moving. A large number of players can be divided into 2 groups, placed on 2 rings and have a small competition.
Speed Exercise #2: Zigzag
Place 4 markers (they can be absolutely anything: chips, balls, stones, etc.) on the same line at a distance of about 3 meters from each other
Now stand in the middle between the first and second cone, measure 3 meters to the side and put another marker (total you will need to put 3 more markers).
Dash to the first marker - then in defensive stance move to the left - when you get to the marker - side step in defensive stance to the right
After the last marker, perform a short dash (3-5 meters)
Zigzag (wave)
Exercise is performed 6-8 times , a break is the time until you reach the start.
Speed Drill #3: Shuttle with Ball Pass
So, we start the movement from the front line (START). The ring is on your left.
Dash to point "A" and receive a pass from the coach (partner)
Immediately return the pass, turn around and dash to the end line "B"
At point "B" jump out and touch the shield, net or ring
After landing, we run out to the perimeter again, get a pass and return it back
Again dash to the ring, jump, return to the coach, get a pass and now do not give it back
Turn around and do a quick dribble to the basket and finish with a lay-up or dunk.
Shuttle and pass
The exercise is repeated 4-6 times, with a short break (60-90 seconds), or almost without a break - if you are a very tough player! It is better to give the pass from the three-point line, and, as can be seen from the figure, you need to receive it in the area of \u200b\u200bthe line for the free throw.
Speed Exercise #4: Square
To begin your workout, mark out a 6 x 6 meter square (original suggested 6 x 6 yards, which is approximately 5. 5 meters). Put some kind of marker in the middle of the square - this will be the starting position
Each of the vertices of the square needs to come up with a name (1,2,3,4 or A, B, C, D). Coach or your partner names the top of the square at random
As soon as the vertex is named, the player makes a dash to it, and the same dash to the starting position, i.e. to the center of square
As soon as the player reaches the center, the coach (partner) names the next peak
Square
Exercise performed for 60-90 seconds . Then you can switch roles. For starters, 2-3 sets will be enough, and then move on to 4-6 sets with a 1-2 minute break. If you are training a group of players, then change them every 60 seconds. This exercise coolly combines the training of both the physical and psychological state. It is interesting to see how often a tired player is unable to remember the number of the vertex to which he should run.
Combine these basketball speed exercises with other speed workouts. Together they will help to significantly increase the speed and quality of movement around the site.
And that's it, the article about what kind of training exercises will help you most effectively develop leg speed is over. I am sure that it will be useful for both players and coaches. I wish you successful training, great matches and see you soon on the pages of this site.
Basketball practice hacks: how to score goals for beginners
Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.
Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners
1. Hands up
In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!
2. Throw from the shield
Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!
3. Look at the ring, not at the ball
Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.
4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only
The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.
5. Throw with one hand
If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.
6. Do not jump when protecting the ring
Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.
7. Don't look back
When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).
8. Bring the throw to automatism
Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.
Throw the ball with all fives and jump
Throwing Rules:
Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.
The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).
Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.
How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball
How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.
9. Copy masters and play as a team
Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.
10. Do not throw in a straight line
The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.
It ensures to keep the ball within your range to score better.
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.
It will help you a lot in keeping up with the actual game speed.
Finally, stroke your toes, knees, hips, and shoulders. Don’t forget to flex your legs after each shot.
Not only with basketball but also other sports. You can see how people play defense as well as set up attack tactics accordingly.
They will help you roughly determine their standing position to predict their next move. Make quick judgments and create space with jabs or jumps.
Strengths
If so, now is a great time to utilise that.)
A large number of players can be divided into 2 groups, placed on 2 rings and have a small competition. 
Together they will help to significantly increase the speed and quality of movement around the site. 
Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing! 
Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly. 
Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge. 
Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal). 
