It doesn’t matter if you are a young child first getting into basketball or someone of a considerably higher age who just wants to be better in the pick-up games in the park with friends. There is no wrong time to work on improving your basketball skills.
Constant practice is the obvious answer here. But, most of us have busy schedules that get in the way of that. There are some things you can do to up your game that won’t take as long though. We are not guaranteeing that you will start getting picked for your team or be featured in the hoops markets on Michigan gambling sites. But you should notice a difference.
We have specifically concentrated on things that everyone can do, no matter what level you are playing at. Hopefully, by following some of our recommendations you will be able to get to the point where you are the go-to player on your team.
Identify Your Weak Spots
It is all very well showing off your existing skills when you are on the court. If you are a good three-point shooter, the attention your talent will get will make you feel pretty good about your hoops dreams. But, as good as that validation will be, you should not neglect other areas of your game.
Even if you are no good at free throws (hey, even Shaq had trouble with those!), make sure that you are putting more time into practicing them. Bringing your weak spots up to the level of your best skills will make your overall game better and improve your chances of playing.
Multi-ball Drills
Basketball is all about hand-to-eye coordination. In fact, just about every ball game requires a high proficiency in that area. That is why you tend to find the same students playing basketball, football, and baseball on high school teams. So this tip should help you across the board – not just with hoops.
Try multi-ball drills when you practice. This could mean dribbling with two balls at once, or even dribbling with one while catching smaller balls. Be creative with the way you practice but switch things around and use a lot of different balls. More practice will mean more control on the court.
Work on Physical Fitness
Practicing with a basketball is obviously important. But you should also think about improving your overall physical fitness. You can be nice as anyone with the ball but it is no good if you are blowing after just a few minutes of intense play. Work on your fitness to ensure that you are ready to play at a top level at any time.
To improve your general standard of fitness you should think about a variety of drills. Mix it up between sprints and slightly longer runs. You should also hit the weight room to build up your muscles. The added strength will then enable you to be more aggressive on the court and a bigger problem for opponents.
Watch More College Hoops
It is highly likely that you watch both NBA and college basketball. Even if you tend to catch more pro games, the excitement of March Madness is sure to have won you over if you are a hoops fan. But, if you are looking to improve your game at a younger age, more college basketball viewing could be an idea.
The main reason for this is because college basketball has a longer shot clock. This means that there is more time for teamwork and possession than in the NBA. A lot of college teams rely more on the team rather than one superstar anyway. You can learn a lot by watching the best do their thing – and that includes those in the NCAA.
Improve Your Shooting
This may sound like an obvious tip for improving basketball skills. But making sure your shooting game is as good as it can be is an absolute must. In the same way that we recommended prioritizing weaker elements of your game for training, you should also always make more time for shooting practice.
They say “practice makes perfect” and that is what you should be aiming for when it comes to shooting practice. To make things a little less boring you could set yourself goals each day. Hitting a required number of free throws and jump shots each day will tell you that you are putting the work in to improve.
Eat Healthily
This is another vitally important off-court tip for improving your basketball game. Pro NBA players will have team nutritionists to make sure that they keep their diets in check. But you will need to rely on yourself – and maybe your parents, depending on your age.
This doesn’t mean that you have to forego fast food and treats completely. But think wisely about what you are putting into your body if you are serious about basketball. This will include making sure you are getting enough protein and eating food that will help with energy. Make sure that you are drinking enough water too!
Enjoy Your Game
Obviously, natural talent will play a big part in how far you are able to go with your basketball career. But working hard in training and taking in some of our advice could give you a better chance of achieving some of your own personal goals.
But is also crucially important that you enjoy playing. Don’t look at basketball as a way of making money or being famous. Play it for the love of the game. If you are enjoying something, you will automatically be better at it because you playing for the right reasons.
