When we watch skilled basketball players on the court, they perform some of the most amazing feats that seem so effortless. But in reality, all those spectacular performances and skills have been made possible by years of hard work and learning all the skills from the basics. If you want to become a pro basketball player, there are some important things you must know to learn basketball and improve your skills. The best way to become an elite player is to learn both offensive and defensive skills and then show your talent on the court.
Although different roles on the court require different skills, the fundamentals of basketball remain the same no matter which position you play. In this article, we will tell you about the main skills that every basketball player should constantly work on.
Core skills of Basketball :
Dribbling
It Doesn’t matter if you are trying to beat the player with set offense or a fast break, if you have strong ball-handling skills, it will always benefit. Crossovers, spin dribbles and behind-the-back are the moves you need to master, this will ensure that your defender can never be sure where you are going with the ball. When the opponent gets confused, it becomes easier to get past them with skilled dribbling. The most important tip is that you should practice and focus on dribbling with your weaker hand because being two-handed makes it difficult to defend.
Defending
When players start learning basketball, most of them think of becoming more of an offensive player than a defensive player and focus on the center skills, but when you are on the court, defense skills are also important. Developing a quick hand to get steals off the dribble, or an intimidating presence around the rim to stop opponents can make you a dominating player on the court. When defensive skills are strong enough, you can use them to turn the tables and set up quick-break reactions.
Passing
Basketball is a team game just like many other sports and you know very well that a single player cannot lead the team to a win, it requires the whole team’s effort. Passing the ball to your teammate is an essential skill. The ability to see lanes and go for a pass where others won’t go opens up your attacking arsenal significantly. The good thing about passing is that you just need a wall and a ball to practice it. Make sure to mix up the types you have to add variety to the game.
Shooting
Scoring is the most important thing in basketball, and if the team doesn’t have any skilled shooters, they will definitely struggle no matter how well they do in defense or passing. Shooting is moving away from mid-range jumpers, with a focus on hitting the ball into the hoop and scoring points. In addition to practicing your fundamentals, you should also practice less-traditional shots like hooks that allow you to score in the contest. Practice shooting from every position and range (long, mid, and short).
Rebounding
Basketball drills like tip drills, where a player picks the ball repeatedly to get a rebound and puts it right back on the glass, will teach you to meet the ball over the top, look to convert the shot and send that rebound straight into another shot when you are on offense. Players who dominate on the court can build a strong career.
Foot Movement
The ability to move forward in a sprint is always beneficial, but basketball is different in this regard because in this game there is a need for quick horizontal movement. Running a wind sprint with a side-shuffle can help you develop the side-to-side speed needed to keep the opponent in front of you on defense.
Jumping
Basketball is all about verticality and increased jump height, which gives you an advantage on both sides. You should work on strengthening your legs with exercises like squats and calf presses. Squats help build strong power, which you need to overjump your opponents.
Also Read: Physical and mental health benefits of playing Basketball
If you really want to improve your basketball game, then just working on the skills isn’t enough. Drilling on a regular basis is important and combining the hard work off the court with the hard work on the court will yield the most growth.
Maintain a healthy diet : If your stomach is full, that’s when you can give your best in a basketball game. A nutritious diet is very important to get the most out of your sport. Eating healthy allows you to perform at your best and execute the skills you’ve honed more effectively.
Play side matches: To enhance your skills and test yourself, you should play side matches and create an exciting style of play. By playing these games, you will also learn about teamwork and get the chance to show your skills .
