How to Get Better at Basketball: 9 Game-Changing Tips for Every Player

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Training both intellectually and physically is essential to improving as a basketball player.
• Fitness is the key to basketball. The most effective approach to getting into the finest basketball shape possible is to divide your physical training into two phases: body conditioning and basketball skills training.
• Basketball is a team sport, but you can improve your talents by practicing solo.

Photo: A basketball player attempts a dunk on an outdoor court (source: https://pixabay.com/photos/sports-basketball-ring-games-5245098/)

Whether you’re a student trying to get a high grade, an employee hoping to earn a good wage, or a basketball player hoping to hoop better, hard work always pays off. One can push oneself to a strong position and take the lead in the game with consistent practice and effort.

Training both intellectually and physically is essential to improving as a basketball player. And that’s because basketball is a sport that demands a certain blend of mental toughness and physical prowess to succeed.

We’ve included some basketball tips and methods in today’s blog post that you can use to improve your hooping performance. Regardless of your level of proficiency, this guide will give you useful advice on how to get better at basketball on more than one level. To learn more about becoming the greatest basketball player you can be, read the blog post all the way.

# 1 Get in Shape for Basketball, Both Physically and Mentally

Fitness is the key to basketball. Getting into the finest basketball shape possible is essential for performing at your best on the court, but how do you achieve this?

The most effective approach is to divide your physical training into two phases: body conditioning and basketball skills training.

Body training focuses on increasing basketball players’ stamina and developing explosive strength for layups and rebounds. Additionally, important are agility exercises that improve footwork and quickness.

Exercises that enhance your technical abilities, such as dribbling drills, practicing layups from various court locations, and others, make up skills training. We’ll talk about that later.

So, getting in physical shape and improving skills both form a unique answer to the question of how to get better at basketball, and our first tip. You’ll be in the right lane for understanding how to become in shape for basketball and hit top condition, plus make your skills a level way above the previous one once you’ve mastered these two areas and are willing to work long hours.

Basketball is more than simply a sport. The mental side of basketball is the other component. However, we’ll save that for another article.

Essential Body Conditioning Capabilities That Need to Be Improved

The sport of basketball is physically taxing. At least three to five times a week, try to include strength and conditioning exercises in your program. In addition to preventing injuries, this will also help you lay the groundwork for a long and healthy career. We’ve included a list of basketball stuff you need to improve to help you get better in body conditioning, and how to do so.

Balance

Have you ever considered how important balance is in basketball?

If you have, let us tell you that you can maintain control over your body motions while playing the game by combining your agility and balance. In difficult situations like boxing out and rebounding, balance can be a significant power source.

Basketball Balance Exercises: Lateral/Back Shot Lunge

Your body must remain centered when you make a jump shot, which may be learned by doing a lateral lunge to each side before you do so.

• With both hands holding the basketball and your knees bent slightly, take a position just behind the free-throw line.
• Laterally, dive first to the right, then to the left.
• Go back to the starting position and make a jump shot right away.
• Continue until you’ve taken 20 shots.

Basketball Balance Exercises: Jump Front/Back Shot

You can keep your body stable even when you have to make multiple movements to get open for your shot by doing two leaps before you take it.

• With both hands holding the basketball and your knees bent slightly, take a position just behind the free-throw line.
• Hop forward one time, then back to where you were before.
• Make a jump shot right away.
• Continue until you’ve taken 20 shots.

Agility

Speed and jumping are inextricably linked to agility, and while they aren’t absolutely required to be a great basketball player (just take a look at Nikola Jokić; he was underestimated due to his physical shortcomings when he came to the NBA, but dare to bet against his Denver Nuggets on basketball bookies now), they do play a part. You can score more points by blowing past your opponents more easily. You can also use speed and agility to run back in transition or maneuver laterally to stay up with your opponent when playing defense.

The ability to shift direction and speed is known as agility, and it greatly affects a player’s performance throughout a game. You already know how a vertical jump helps you on offense, and on defense, it helps you grab rebounds.

The following exercises will assist you in these areas:

• sprints
• ladder exercises
• box jumps
• squat/lunge jumps

Flexibility

Being flexible requires constant practice. You won’t become flexible unless and until you learn the game thoroughly. To become an expert in the game, you must learn the knack of flexibility.

Maintaining your flexibility can assist you in moving your ankles and joints, permit healthy muscle mobility, and guard against injury.

Strength

In order to play for longer periods of time and avoid injuries, strength is essential regardless of expertise.

You can handle contact better if you strengthen your upper body and core. When attempting to score near the rim, this is really beneficial. Contact will undoubtedly occur. You can absorb that contact and yet finish strong if you have strength. Any kind of core or upper body exercise is beneficial for basketball.

Work on the lower body is also crucial. Basketball players need to have strong legs because the game requires a lot of cutting, direction changes, and lateral movement. Basketball players can benefit from the following lower-body exercises:

• squats
• lunges
• skaters
• single-leg RDL’s
• deadlifts

Endurance

The game of basketball, as said, may be very taxing. Games are physically taxing due to their duration and stop/start nature. To play for longer periods of time without becoming tired, you must be in peak physical condition. Being able to play at a high level even when you’re exhausted is another aspect of being a good player. This is the reason it’s so crucial to develop endurance.

Some athletes like to use a bike, while others prefer to run on a track or treadmill. Using the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) method is crucial, regardless of the equipment you choose to utilize to get in shape.

Basketball has a lot of stopping and starting out, much like HIIT. There is a difference between being “in shape” after ten minutes of basketball activity and ten minutes of running. Therefore, incorporate a “stop-start” element into your cardio workouts to enhance conditioning. For instance, if you’re on a treadmill, run for 30 seconds at maximum pace, followed by 10 seconds of jogging or even walking. After 30 seconds of running at full pace, jog or walk for an additional 10 seconds. Continue doing this until you reach the time you want for your workout. This similar idea may be applied to the track, the elliptical, or the bike, depending on your preference.

Having said that, we believe that incorporating cardio into your skill exercises is the best way to get in shape for basketball outside playing games or pickup. In this manner, you can work on two things simultaneously throughout your time on the court.

When practicing shooting, for instance, incorporate sprints between drills or shot sets. For example, if you’re practicing spot-up shooting, you might make ten shots at the corner and then run up and down the court to get to your next place.

# 2 Get to Know Fundamental Basketball Skills

Improving your basketball skills—which are outlined below—is the second step, and our second tip, to becoming a great player. You’ll see some pointers for enhancing your on-court abilities, which is the first quality of a great player. Therefore, it’s essential to grasp the game’s foundational skills if you want to succeed in basketball.

Take dribbling, for example. It’s probably the most important skill for a basketball player to practice. You can differentiate yourself as a player in the game by mastering various dribbling skills. To continue the game, dribbling entails several ball movements.

Essential Basketball Skills That Require Improvement

The following are the fundamental basketball talents of any outstanding player:

Shooting
while moving
off-the-dribble
spot-up
midrange + 3 pointers

Ball-handling
dribble moves (crossover, through-the-legs, spin move, etc.)
change-of-speed
dribbling under pressure
creating separation

Passing
chest, bounce, overhead passes
decision-making
vision

Finishing
layups
floaters
finishing off 1 foot, finishing off 2 feet

Defense
defensive stance (staying low, on the balls of your feet)
anticipation
stealing/blocking
taking charges

Rebounding
tracking shots/anticipating misses
boxing out

Regularly practice these abilities. Like anything else, you’ll grow better the more you practice. Even if you feel like you aren’t making much progress, or you run into a wall, have patience and keep up the good job.

Mastering certain talents, like shooting, can be challenging. That shouldn’t depress you or cause you to lose confidence. You’ll improve as a defensive and offensive player if you practice consistently and put in a lot of time..

Practical Tips for Becoming Better at Basketball

Here are some additional pointers to help you get better:

# 3 Proper Technique + Repetition

All you need to do is practice with the right technique repeatedly to improve on any of the skills we listed above. You’ll get better with practice and time.

Remember this as you practice and take comfort in the knowledge that, with perseverance, you’ll eventually get better. Keep in mind that difficulties, bad days, or failures are all a part of the healing process.

Watch YouTube videos, speak with one of your instructors (if you have one), or perhaps get assistance from a local skills trainer if you’re a young basketball player and unsure about your technique.

# 4 Situations in the Game at Game Speed

As a general rule, if you’re unsure of what drills to undertake to strengthen your basketball skills, you should practice them in a game-like setting.

For instance, practice shots you’d take in a game to improve your shooting. To improve your ball-handling abilities, practice a change-of-speed or dribble move and pair it with a specific finish, such as a layup or floater. Alternatively, have someone pretend to be a defensive player and attempt to steal the ball from you during dribbling drills.

Practice at game pace is the second component of this. Although it’s not always possible to replicate the high tempo of a real basketball game, you should always practice at full speed to ensure that you feel comfortable playing in a fast-paced environment.

# 5 Make Your Weaknesses Better

It’s critical to assess your game for flaws and work to improve them if you want to become the best player you can be.

This calls for a certain amount of self-awareness as well as the readiness to set aside your pride and truly see your basketball skills for what they are. Your shortcomings will show you where you need to improve.

You don’t have to be critical of yourself or judge yourself for these shortcomings; instead, use the information as inspiration to improve and turn them into your strengths. It’s important to remember your strengths and continue improving them. You may keep improving as a player by being conscious of your advantages and disadvantages.

# 6 Play Against More Powerful Rivals

Playing against opponents who are better than you is the best way to push yourself. This will drive you to improve your abilities and adjust to a greater level of competition, in addition to providing you with a chance to demonstrate your abilities. You’ll be exposed to a variety of playing styles and be forced to think and respond differently or more quickly on the court when you play against more experienced players.

Lastly, competing against more experienced players can help you identify the aspects of your game that require improvement if you want to advance as a player.

# 7 Practice by Yourself

Basketball is a team sport, but you can improve your talents by practicing solo.

Practice only to improve your knowledge of the game if you wish to play at a professional level. Instead of working as a team, practicing alone is more efficient and lets you monitor your progress.

# 8 Put Your Observing into Practice

Watching the game is the best way to get better at basketball or to improve your moves. You can notice a significant improvement in your performance simply by paying close attention.

In addition to playing actual games, you can play video games to hone your basketball talents.

# 9 Diet and Rest

It’s not that you have to sacrifice your health or sleep in order to pursue success. Both can be done and managed simultaneously.

Maintain a balanced diet and get adequate sleep to support your physical and mental well-being. To last longer on the field, stay hydrated.

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