Every young basketball player dreams of what it would be like to hit a game winning shot with everything on the line. Their teammates would hoist them up in the air, their fans would be cheering their name, and the scoreboard would show that all of the hard work and effort that was put in at the gym has paid off. But in order to get to that point, you have to get to the gym first. Here are seven ways to improve your basketball skill level so that you are prepared for any situation that comes your way on the court.
Your Shot
If you aren’t practicing your shot, you can bet that you’ll never get the ball when the moments matter most. That’s why you need to make sure that you are in the gym on a regular basis working on your shot. Don’t just work on your settled shot from different points on the floor. Instead, work on shooting in motion, pull-up shots, free throws, baseline jumpers, and anything else that you can think of. The more you practice your shot and work on your form, the better shooter you will become, which means you’ll become a more trusted part of your team.
Dribbling
Being a great scorer and player means being able to get past defenders and find open lines. You certainly won’t be able to do that unless you put in the effort learning to dribble and control the ball. The better your ball handling skills are, the more the game will open up to you. You’ll be able to drive past defenders, lead fast breaks, and control the game like anyone else on the court if you control where the ball goes.
Plyometrics
You’re going to hear time and time again that a dunk counts for only as much as a layup or jump shot. And while that is true, there is nothing that can change the momentum of a game like a rim-rocking slam-dunk that makes your opponents think twice before trying to defend you. If you want to be able to jump out of the gym, work on plyometric workouts. These exercises will train your muscles to be more explosive when jumping and moving.
Working Out
Whether you are a point guard on the perimeter or a big guy who makes a living in the post, you have to make sure you aren’t getting pushed around on the court. In order to do that, you have to put in the time at the gym to put on a few extra pounds of muscle that will get your body right. There are several high tech training programs to help you elevate your game and take it to the next level. ShopCompex.com has several training program options, which include the use of a muscle stimulator for basketball players to develop quick reactivity and forceful response.
Cardio Training
If you want to be in the game in the final seconds of the game, you need to have the stamina to keep going like it was the opening minutes of the first quarter. In order to have that long lasting stamina, make sure you are also working on your cardiovascular training. That means tons of suicides, hills, laps around the track and more. The better conditioning you have, the more you’ll be able to beat your opponents when they are winded.
Meditate
Basketball is just as much a mind-game as it is a physical one. After all, if you think won’t be affected at the free throw line with your shots determining the outcome of the game, you are dead wrong. Be sure that you spend time outside of the gym working on meditating and being able to center your mind. This will help you greatly with outsmarting your opponents and handling stressful situations.
Play As Often As You Can
No matter how hard you work outside of the gym or the effort you put in, a lot of your basketball skills will come down to in-game experience. That means that you should be at the rec center playing pickup games as often as possible. Join every league that you possibly can. And never be that person who sits out in practice to nurse a fake injury. The more playing time you get an experience you get in the game, the more your game will improve.
