A young basketball player can develop their talents in a variety of ways that are very tangible. Developing your talents can raise your game and put you in the best position to win the game, whether it be through practicing ball control or increasing your endurance.
Basketball is a very famous sport that is played all over the world, but it is especially popular in the US, where it was first invented. Around 3.5 billion people worldwide follow the sport, and 250 million people participate in it in 200 different nations. Cricket, which has 2.5 billion supporters worldwide, basketball, which has 2.2 billion, and field hockey are the next three most popular sports (2 billion). Basketball is even one of the top sports to bet on nowadays. In fact, sports betting sites around the world, even as far as the Down Under, allow you to bet on basketball nowadays.
The following advice should be included into your practice schedule, but keep in mind that success in your game will only come through consistent effort.
Practice your dribbling skills
The most straightforward technique to improve as a basketball player is to develop superior dribbling abilities. Start in a balanced athletic position, with your nose behind your toes and your hips weighted but not bending your body forward, to practice this technique. The secret of ball handling is balance: manoeuvre the ball around your body while maintaining a still, athletic posture. Dribble forcefully and to the side of your foot when handling the ball, keeping your bounce height between your knee and hip. By keeping the ball close to your shot pocket while dribbling at that sweet spot, you can improve your shooting efficiency. You’ll have more control over the ball the harder you push each dribble.
During your everyday practice, work on using both hands to dribble. Additionally, you must practice the crossover, between the legs, and behind the back moves, which are three fundamental ball-handling techniques. Make combo dribbles that you can use in games once you have a firm foundation with these techniques. With your improved dribbling techniques, you can outwit opponents and set yourself up for easy jump shots.
Work on your weak spots
You must concentrate on overcoming your weaknesses if you want to become a great player. For instance, if you have trouble making free throws, spend additional time during practice sessions working on increasing your free throw percentage. Do you feel at ease dribbling with your opposite hand? If not, practice dribbling with that hand to get better at handling the ball. You must find and fix your weaknesses in order to improve as an exceptional player and become well-rounded in all facets of the game.
Work on your general fitness
For the duration of a game, basketball players need to be able to run the court. Even if you have mastered the fundamentals of basketball, you won’t be able to use them to your team’s advantage if you can’t keep up after five minutes of play. You must go on short runs, work out in the weight room to build muscle, and practice wind sprints every day if you want to develop endurance for the court. You may improve your stamina on the court by including these endurance-building workouts into your everyday regimen. You’ll be able to play more aggressively and elevate your game thanks to the extra muscular mass.
Watch basketball games
The NBA is exciting and entertaining to watch, but young basketball players who tune in wanting to learn more about the game won’t discover anything they can use to improve the performance of their own squad. Due to the NBA’s 24-second shot clock’s short duration, players are forced to rely more on their individual athleticism than on collaboration. Conversely, college basketball imitates the more conventional playing style utilised by high school and youth teams and has a longer shot clock. Watch how college basketball teams move the ball around the court and generate scoring opportunities to learn the principles of team basketball play.
Prioritise your hand alignment
Being a consistent shooter requires good hand location since it influences your feel, spin, connection, and release control. Put the index finger of your dominant hand on the air valve of the ball to discover the right-hand position. To get acquainted to this position’s centered feeling, practice several form shots. Always hold the ball between your finger pads, giving your palm some breathing room. Aim your eyes towards the two or three rim hooks that are directly in front of you as you line up your shot and consider dropping the ball just over the front of the rim. A defender will find it more difficult to block your shot if you have a higher release point.
Maintaining your elbow and wrist in line with the basket as you throw the ball, completely extend your arm so that your elbow finishes over your eye. Put your shooting hand’s index finger on the basketball’s air valve and let it rest in your hand so you can feel the ball’s centre to practice hand alignment. Take ten shots, aiming for the air valve first, while standing just a few feet from the basket. Then, without looking for the air valve, take 10 additional shots by placing your hand in the ball’s middle.
