How to improve your 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.

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Playing defense in basketball

Hello, dear visitors of the website basketball-training.org.ua ! Today I want to share with you my observations and conclusions, which I received as a result of 's desire to improve his game in 's defense.

It so happened that the first few years of playing basketball (mostly on street courts) my defense game consisted of constant attempts to cover the opponent's shot. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t work very well (I ended up either on the opponent’s back or on his head). It's a hell of a defense. A couple of years ago, I reconsidered my vision of playing defense, which I want to share with you.

Basketball Players The first video that gave any hint of developing a basketball player's defensive skills was 's three-minute performance by Bruce Bowen on the TNT Fundamentals series. Then there was a short article on how to play defense against A. Gomelsky. Well, the last, but probably the most important training video was the company's products Better Basketball - Better 1 on 1 Defense . Even after skipping past the ears more than half of what was said (something due to the language barrier, something due to banal restlessness) and putting even less into practice, I began to defend myself much better.

By the way, in this article everything will be exclusively about personal defense (and not a word about zone defense, although it is also worth writing about). So, I highlight the following stages of defense in basketball:

Stage 1: Defense against a player without the ball.

The essence of defense is to prevent the opponent from getting the ball . This is probably one of the most difficult stages, but also one of the most effective. Agree, it is difficult to attack without having the ball. So, this stage of defense is incredibly difficult, because you have to give a lot of strength, not to be fooled by movements of the body, head and legs. A good result of such a defense is that the player does not receive the ball throughout the attack. Also a good result if the ball is received, but: in an awkward position (far from the ring; in the corner of the court) or in the last seconds of the attack. Shitty result - the ball is received quickly and conveniently.

Stage 2: Defense against the player who received the ball.

When a player receives the ball, he is in the classic "triple threat position". This means that he can shoot the ring, pass or start the dribble. This means that we will have to confront all three threats at the same time. So, the best option is to take a position that will minimize the range of movement of the enemy. First of all, close its strong side from the passage by sitting a little to the side of it. As an option - from the side of his supporting leg; those. You will know the direction of his movement (he will not step with his supporting foot).

Let's conditionally divide the opponent's body into 2 levels: the first zone - to the waist; the second zone is above the belt. So, in order to start dribbling, the ball must be in the first zone. Both zones are suitable for a pass, and for a throw, the ball must go from the first zone to the second. I hope it's clear for now. So, one hand plays with the bottom zone (preventing dribbling and low passing), the second is defending against a shot and a pass from the upper zone. Remember about the legs: with bent legs it is much easier and faster to make a jerk. If the legs are straight, then for a jerk they must first be bent.

And one more piece of advice: pull the player all the time with your movements. Let the probability that these "ritual dances" help to knock out the ball will be small, but you will be able to knock the opponent out of his usual rhythm. And it's worth a lot!

Excellent defense: the ball is knocked out. Good defense - loss on pass, inaccurate pass, throw from an uncomfortable position.

Stage 3: Defense against the dribbler.

Assume that previous attempts to take possession of the ball have failed and the opponent has started to dribble. How to defend yourself then?

Let's not consider those situations in which the opponent is obviously weaker than you. It's just not interesting. The opponent is stronger, faster and jumpier than you - that's a good situation. Like I said, close his strong side. But if you don't know its strengths and weaknesses; you don’t know how to hold: from a throw or from a pass - that is, a good solution. We are trying to make sure that you are the leader. One side is obviously closed - and the player is deliberately skipped to the other. So you can not lose in the starting jerk and not guess the direction of movement: it can only go in one direction. Try to push the opponent with the ball to the end line, from where he can no longer comfortably attack the basket. Clamp into a corner, press to the line.

Again: close one side tightly. Better - if it will be his forte; if you don’t know which one is strong, close your weak side and let defenses under your strong side. And a safety net: sometimes it's better not to let a player throw from an average distance. Allowing him to get under the ring. After all, there will be a safety net in the form of a “big” one, which cannot be thrown so easily.

Stage 4: Maintenance completed.

It can be a double step and a throw, a simple throw after a stop, a jump, a pivot (reversal), a series of displays, etc. Let's take a closer look at this.

Double step. Remember: he has 2 steps to complete the attack, and you have 2 steps to hit the ball down, and then another full step to block. I recommend doing this:

• A series of small touches to the ball during a double step (as if you were playing a drum). Thus, you will not knock out the ball, but you will disorientate it accurately. Yes, and in order to keep the ball, you have to make more.
• Trying to hit the ball from below! When hitting from above, there is a very high chance that you will hit your fingers - this is a foul. But from below: few people expect such a blow, few people close the ball from below. And taking the ball up for a throw, he will receive an additional impulse, the push of the ball - throwing it as it was previously thought would not be so easy.

A little tip: after picking up the ball by the opponent, very often the ball goes down, and this is done strongly and abruptly. Just substitute okay from below at the level of the opponent's lower back: he himself will knock the ball against your hand. This is a very cool and often unexpected trick for the opponent.

• If it was a jump stop, or just a stop, then you need to get as close as possible and raise both hands vertically up. Now you can not be afraid of a foul.

Stage 5: Jump Shot.

It's good if you jump high and sharp - then try to block at the moment when the ball leaves the thrower's hand. You can just try to brush it off at the moment when the supporting hand is no longer involved in the throw, and the ball is on the wrist. I will not talk about how to block-shot, this is a topic for a separate article.

Remember that you can block the thrower's view with your hand: just don't poke it in the eyes, just bring it closer to the thrower's face. A good way (if you have not already jumped out for a block shot, and the throw is being made) is to simulate contact with various organs of the opponent (guys, you understand what I mean). Belly, solar plexus, groin - all this interferes with concentration at the time of the throw. Well, and often on street sites there is a clap of hands: at games they can give a foul, but on the street it can bring down that very concentration.

And finally, I suggest watching the old film , about the individual protection of basketball players, filmed in the USSR. There are some really useful things in there (the movie is old - so turn up the volume).

[youtube]9GMNCBu0Kes[/youtube]

Well, that's all, the main points that will help you defend better without any drastic changes in the game. I am sure that each of you found something useful in this article. If you have any questions or comments - write them in the comments, I will be glad to discuss.

And this article is over, I wish you successful training and see you soon on the pages of our site.

5 tips to improve your basketball skills

Contents

• 1. Shooting practice.
• 2. Dribbling practice.
• 3. Improve your defense
• 4. Work on your team play.
• 5. Develop endurance.

Are you passionate about basketball and want to get even better? As with all sports, if you want to improve your basketball skills you need to be rigorous and train hard throughout the year, so why not take advantage of the holidays to go to basketball camp ? Beginners, as well as experienced players, need to work on the physical form and master the psychological aspect of the game in order to notice improvements. By completing a series of exercises, gain stamina and gradually improve your technique. Follow the 5 steps in this article to progress and become a better basketball player.

1. Shooting practice.

If you want to be a great basketball player , you will have to spend many hours in front of the basket. Indeed, shooting is one of the most important exercises if you want to improve yourself and make a difference on the pitch. Start from ball throwing workouts basics to improve your technique. Take as many shots as possible without stopping, this way you will learn to control the ball and get more and more satisfactory results. Think about your posture (straight body), arms (use your fingertips), and legs (slightly bent). With a little concentration and good technique, you will quickly notice progress. Also review your accurate shots, shots from multiple spots on the field, and then go to breakdown on either side of the basket. Again working on repeating is the only way to really improve the situation. At the end of the session, work out scenarios with other players (defenders) who will try to block your shots.

2. Dribbling practice.

Discuss all ball handling techniques . To do this, first check your position and then teach each hand to dribble separately without looking at the ball. Alternate bounces and try to move. After learning these basics, add power and speed to your movements. Then try to practice dribbling with two balls, which will help you develop agility, and finally transition - a gesture that consists of hitting the ball with one hand and then with the other. During the game the transition will prevent the opponent from stealing the ball from you. Try to dribble as much as possible, because with practice comes perfection. Start with walking dribble and then increase the pace, the end goal is to succeed in dribble while sprinting. Good dribbling skills will allow you to surprise your opponent and attack effectively.

3. Improve your protection

Since a good basketball player is not only a basket shooter, but also a good defender, you will need to work on your defense.

The goal of the defender is to intercept every ball and limit the advance of his opponents. Check your position with the coach, legs, arms, gaze, posture, be alert and on the move to notice and anticipate your opponent's decisions. A good quarterback maintains a low posture at all times, so train your lower body for overall strength. You will also improve your defense through observation, so feel free to watch many professional basketball matches. to inspire you from the best to effectively block your opponents when your turn comes. On the field, practice chasing while maintaining a defensive position. In scenario drills, try to kick the opponent with your feet (put them between your opponent's legs) and learn to put your hand on the ball to put the opponent in a difficult position.

4. Work on your team play.

Part of being a better basketball player is your ability to play with and for your team. To do this, in training, try to work out passes with teammates.

Good passes build good teams and strengthen group unity. Basketball should not be approached individually, but collectively. You can be a very good player, but it's important for to put your talent to the service of the team. To improve your position (holding, forward, point guard, defender), take inspiration from basketball games, watch other teams play around you or on TV, and analyze the performance of players who are in the same position as you. In order not to put your team in danger during matches, make sure you understand all the rules of the game. If you are a member of basketball club , your coach will answer your questions, resolve your doubts and help you progress.

5. Develop endurance.

Playing basketball requires intense and relatively long-term effort, during which the whole body is involved. In order to improve the field and maintain a good level throughout the match, it is necessary to work on both physical endurance and psychological strength in advance. No fit , be aware that you will not be able to use all your technical skills. So think about improving your stamina, breathing and speed, because when defending as an attacker, a good player must run and stay on the move throughout the game.

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