Sports

How to Get Better at Basketball: 7 Helpful Tips

January 23, 2022December 6, 2023 by SHABL

It takes a lot to do well in basketball. Even after years of practice and professional play, NBA players still only score 53% of the time, so don’t feel too bad if you’re not at that level.

If you want to consistently shoot hoops like the basketball stars, then you need to move in the right direction. But here do you begin? You need to learn the basics, from dribbling to traveling, and more.

Interested in learning how to become an all-star basketball player (or at least upping your game)? Then read on to learn how to get better at basketball!

If you want to be a great basketball player, you need to practice a lot. Here are seven tips on how to get better at basketball.

Table of Contents

1. Make It Your Goal

You are more likely to do something if you make it a real goal. If you want to become a strong basketball player, start with the right goal. Your goal will help guide you through your basketball journey.

Your goal does not have to be in stone, so don’t overthink it. In fact, you may even change your goal many times as you go on your basketball journey. Start with setting a basic basketball goal, then change it whenever you feel the need to do so.

You can think about your goals all day long and still not have one if you’re not focused. Try writing your goals on paper, then choosing the one that best matches your future vision. If you’re ready to start creating your own goals, then look at the examples below for inspiration:

I want to become the best basketball player at my school.
I want to learn how to score the most points in each game.
I want to be chosen first for every basketball team.

These are just beginner goals that you can use to get started right away. Feel free to add to them or create new ones whenever you’re ready.

2. Learn the Basics

Basketball is a game that’s easy to pick up but hard to master. Many people know the bare minimum to play the game, but there is much more to it than shooting the ball into the basket. Formally going through basketball training for beginners may boost your game exponentially.

The best way to learn the game from the ground up is to read about it in a book. There are many places to get this vital information, but it is often best to purchase a physical book from a bookstore. You can walk to a local bookstore to find the right book for you, or you can spend some time finding it at an online store.

Once you get a book that can teach you all about basketball, spend the time to read through it. You will become better at the game once you know all the rules and penalties.

3. Buy the Right Gear

You could technically play basketball with just a pair of shorts, but it doesn’t hurt to have dedicated gear. Actually, true basketball gear, especially high-quality personalized basketball jerseys for teams, helps improve your game by allowing you to move faster, stay cooler, and your teammates recognize you during a game.

If you have the resources, consider investing in basketball shoes. Basketball shoes have rubber soles that allow you to pivot quickly without slipping and padding to help you jump higher. Basketball shoes like the black and white jordan 1 upgrade your game more than you would think.

Visit this website to find basketball shoes that can help you develop your skills. You could also purchase other gear such as basketball jerseys, shorts, and socks.

4. Immerse Yourself In It

You may have heard that it takes 10,000 hours to master a craft, and basketball is one of those tasks that demand a lot of time. Basketball legend Michael Jordan would spend hours practicing at the basketball court even after everyone else left to go home. It was his level of dedication and persistence that helped him to become the greatest at his sport.

Although there may be people born with the talent to play basketball, most people must work to become good. If you aren’t flying toward the basketball hoop from the womb, then you will have to practice like everybody else.

You can become very good at basketball by thinking about it every day. Make it a part of your daily routine or, better yet, a part of your identity. Fall in love with basketball, and basketball will be yours forever.

5. Watch Professional Players

Professional basketball players train every day for many hours, making them the perfect role models. Once they hit the basketball court, they unleash all of their skills for excited crowds.

Although it may not be so easy for you to get in front of a crowd just yet, you can get there by watching and imitating professional players.

Imagine you are a professional basketball player. Choose someone that you admire and enjoy watching on television. Close your eyes and pretend that you are the one doing the layups or dunking the ball into the basket.

As you watch professional basketball games, you will absorb many habits that professional players spent years developing. Each basketball game you watch can help you become better much faster than learning it all by yourself.

Make basketball time a social event with some pizza and friends to learn faster.

6. Ask for Advice

You may not have access to LeBron James, but there are plenty of good basketball players in your local area that are willing to lend a hand. If there is someone that you admire, try approaching them to ask them for help. They could answer your questions and even show you what to do.

7. Practice Everyday

Playing basketball is the best way to become better at the sport. Like riding a bike, you never know if you can do it until you try.

Most people have busy schedules that can get in the way of playing basketball, but don’t let that stop you from showing up at the court. Even if you only have 15 minutes, make it a plan to be there to show your dedication and passion. You owe it to yourself to be where your dreams can become real.

Once you get the basics of the sport down, start playing real games with friends. These games will show you how far you’ve come in comparison to other players. At best, you will be at the same level as other players in your area, but losing without a chance means you need a lot of work.

No matter what happens, make sure to keep playing and never quit!