Becoming a great basketball player is no easy feat. It takes a lot of practice and dedication to rise to the top. Not everyone can be on the court with LeBron or Steph Curry. To be the best basketball player you need to in still your own game with confidence and poise and not cower in fear when your teammate passes you the ball or when you have to take that three-point shot. Every player should have their own style, strengths, and weaknesses so that they can be an asset on any team; not just as a practice dummy for other players.
To become the best basketball player on the court—and in general—there are several things you must know how to do well. Whether it’s dribbling, shooting, defending, or passing, every skill will come in handy at some point during a game. There’s nothing more embarrassing than being beaten by someone who knows what they’re doing because then it shows that you don’t have even basic knowledge of what it means to play basketball. Here are some helpful tips on how to be the best basketball player:
Communicate with your teammates
Communication is key for any sport, but it’s even more important in basketball. If you don’t know what your teammates’ strengths and weaknesses are, you can’t help them out and vice versa. Keep track of who is a better passer and who is a better shooter. Knowing who to give the ball to in a tight situation or who not to give it to will save you from unnecessary turnovers. Communication doesn’t just stop with teammates on the court either. Keeping in contact with your coaches and fellow basketball players on other teams will allow you to get to know everyone better, find out about upcoming games, and even make friends.
Dribble, dribble, dribble
Most basketball players start out with a love for dribbling. Little kids love running around the house, pretending that they’re professional players. Unfortunately, as we get older and start playing for real, many people lose interest in dribbling because they’re not very good at it. When you’re a kid, you don’t care about things like footwork—you just want to be able to run as fast as possible and not trip over your own two feet. The key to being a good dribbler is having solid footwork. You should be able to dribble with both hands and be comfortable switching up your stance to accommodate for people trying to steal the ball. A great way to practice dribbling at home is to dribble with a tennis ball.
Shoot 3-pointers regularly
Three-point shots are the most common shot in basketball. It’s vital that everyone on the team be able to shoot this particular shot well. If you don’t trust your team’s ability to shoot or you don’t feel comfortable shooting yourself, your opponents will take advantage of this and score points easily. There are many types of 3-pointers such as the catch-and-shoot, the dribble-and-shoot, or the pick-and-roll. And despite the name, you can shoot 3-pointers from inside the free-throw line because that’s the only line that matters. Be sure to practice shooting 3-pointers regularly so that you can be as efficient as possible when it comes to scoring.
Be a solid defender
Being a great defender is similar to being a great dribbler. If you’re able to stay on your toes and keep an eye on the ball at all times, you should be able to steal it practically every time. The main difference between a good and a great defender is the ability to read the opposing player’s movements. It’s not enough to keep your eye on the ball and hope that you’re lucky enough to swipe it away. You have to know what your opponent is going to do before they do it so that you can get in the way. You’ll find that the best defenders are usually the ones who are the shortest. This is because they’re able to get in the way without having to jump. You’ll often see the best defenders be point guards or shooting guards.
Key takeaway
There are many skills that go into being a great basketball player. Whether you’re better at dribbling or shooting, you should be able to do both at a high level. You can’t help your team win if you don’t know what you’re doing on the court. Take the time to practice and learn as much as you can about each skill and you’ll be able to help your team win more often. Being the best basketball player on the court is a tough challenge. You will likely see many losses on the way to success, but it’s worth it in the end because it allows you to see what you’re capable of accomplishing. With enough practice and dedication, you’ll be able to master each skill and become the best basketball player available.
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