Improving your game isn’t just about playing regularly, but following a blueprint designed by the sport’s top professionals.
Dreaming of being a basketball superstar? Learning how to become a better basketball player is the holy grail for anyone wishing to take a shot at the professional game.
Working on the fundamentals is just the beginning: a good basketball player knows how to combine all these into a powerful package that sets them apart from average players.
So, who better to ask about improving your game than basketball legends and coaches?
In this guide, we tap into the advice of the superstars and coaches who know exactly what it takes to get the very best out of your basketball ability.
From sharpening your shooting to mastering dribbling, we examine how you can get ready to dominate the court.
Ready? Let’s take a closer look!
How to become a better basketball player: Which skills do I target?
Improving your game isn’t just about spending time on the court trying to figure out how to become a better offensive player, although that helps.
Modern training requires an all-around approach that we can categorize into three important pillars.
1. Mental toughness
Basketball is a mentally demanding sport that requires unwavering focus, resilience, and the ability to handle pressure.
As NBA superstar Nikola Jokić once said “I believe the only muscles you need in basketball are the ones in your brain”.
By this, he means practising visualization techniques, positive self-talk, and stress management strategies. This will help you control your emotions, stay calm under pressure, and maintain a growth mindset.
2. Skill development
Mastering the fundamentals of basketball is essential. Focus on honing your shooting, dribbling, passing, and defensive skill level. Practice regularly, seek feedback from coaches and teammates, and watch game footage to analyze the techniques of elite players.
3. Physical conditioning
Nikola Jokić wasn’t 100% correct in his above quote. A strong and well-conditioned body is also crucial for performing at your best.
Strength training exercises to build muscle and power, including exercises that target your legs, core, and upper body. Maintaining a healthy diet to provide your body with the necessary fuel for energy and recovery is also very important.
Let’s take a closer look at these three key areas to build a more detailed picture of how to become a better basketball player at home, or in your local gym and court.
How do I improve the mental aspect of my game?
Believe it or not, professionals tended to overlook the psychological side of basketball in the NBA’s early years.
It was only when the legendary Bill Russell started to talk about focus and staying calm under pressure in the 1960s that players started to explore how to become a better basketball player mentally.
The key to mental clarity, according to Russell? Practice, and lots of it. He believed that if you do something enough times (to the best of your ability), then your mind and body adapt to it so that you can perform it almost instinctively. This brings a natural calmness that can help you in a big game of basketball.
“Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions,” he said. “ There is nothing miraculous about the process. There is no luck involved”.
This advice is reassuring. We know that if we put the hard work in, then much of what we do is in our control and not subject to luck or fate.
Modern mental health techniques such as visualization and meditation are also very important for many pros as they seek to perform at their highest level.
Stephen Curry, four-time NBA champion, has talked about how visualizing success added an edge to his game that his opponents didn’t have. “Visualization is a powerful tool”, he said. “I see myself sinking the perfect shots and leading my team to victory.”
Mentally rehearsing successful outcomes like this helps to reduce anxiety and improve confidence, which in turn should lead to better performance.
Kobe Bryant, one of the all-time greats, repeatedly spoke about the power of meditation to help him to the peak of his powers. “It sets me up for the rest of the day. It’s like having an anchor,” he said. If I don’t do it, I feel like I’m constantly chasing the day, as opposed to being able to be controlled. and dictate the day.”
Again, these mental exercises help give us control over what we do. If we know that we can calm down our minds when we play, see clearly what we need to achieve, and get there through practice and muscle memory, we’re giving ourselves the tools we need to be the best basketball player possible.
How do I train to be a better basketball player?
A calm and focused mind will put us in the best mood for the bread and butter of physical basketball prep: training drills.
All great players make training a big part of their daily routine and will incorporate the following areas into it.
1. Practice shooting
Did you know that pros get an average of over 35% for their three-pointers? This may seem like an impossible level to reach, but pros swear by shooting drills that help them develop muscle memory and improve their form.
Basketball coach Dave Love is an expert in doing this. Now coach for EuroProBasket, a training academy based in Valencia, Spain, Love has worked with three NBA basketball teams Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns to help pro players become great shooters. His advice? Work on three “shooting non-negotiables”.
(i) Balance – “Shooting non-negotiable number one is you need to be as balanced as possible,” the coach explains. “And that usually comes from the width of your feet and your body posture.” Aim for feet shoulder-width apart and a straight but relaxed back.
(ii) Hand placement – The perfect placement means we push as much positive energy as possible into the ball. “We want to get the middle of the shooting hand under the middle of the ball”, says Love.
(iii) Getting arc – It’s no good shooting with a flat trajectory as this means you’ll hit the underside of the basket. “You need to get above the rim,” stresses Love. “The ball has to be dropping down on the rim. You have to get arc on the ball.”
“Confidence is not a product that we can teach. It’s a byproduct that comes from having already done the work.”, says Love. Putting in the work through regular and extensive drills, and keeping the above three basketball shooting tips in mind is the surest way to better shooting.
Great shooting is one of the first things that coaches will look for at basketball tryout drills so getting these nailed will significantly improve your chances of making a team.
2. Practice dribbling drills
Ball control is crucial in basketball. By honing your dribbling skills, you’ll be much less likely to lose the ball and will become a better player for it.
To start, adopt a centered athletic position: keep your nose behind your toes and hips loaded without leaning forward.
Maintaining balance is also key. Keep your body static while moving the ball around your body. Dribble aggressively to the side of your foot, aiming for a bounce height between your knee and hip. This sweet spot keeps the ball close to your shot pocket, improving your shooting efficiency.
Also, practice dribbling with both hands daily – NBA great Allen Iversen swore by it. “I learned at a young age to dribble with both hands,” he said. “That allows me to be more creative when I go against bigger and stronger opponents.”
Techniques like crossover, between-the-legs, and behind-the-back moves will help you get better at this, and you can also combine these drills to create your own unique dribbling combinations.
Improved dribbling is an important ball-handling skill that will help you find space for teammates and create open jump shots – a potential game-changer.
3. Work on your defensive game
Many pro players have had to look into how to become a better defensive player if they’re a natural attacker. An all-rounder is much more likely to go pro than someone who has just one arrow to their bow.
To become a defensive stalwart and expand your basketball IQ, focus on these key areas:
- Footwork – Quick feet are crucial for staying in front of your opponent, contesting shots, and recovering from mistakes. Practice lateral movement drills and shuffle steps.
- Hand Activity – Active hands can disrupt passes, force turnovers, and contest shots. Work on your hand-eye coordination and defensive positioning.
- Defensive positioning – Maintain proper defensive posture, stay low, and be ready to react to any offensive move.
- Rebounding – Dominate the boards by boxing out opponents, using proper technique, and going for every rebound. You can set up rebound drills by placing a basketball under the rim and jumping for it.
- Do defense drills with a partner: Simulate game situations where you need to help a teammate defend a double-team or switch assignments.
4. Practice at game speed to hone your intensity
Honing your basketball skills during solo practice sessions is crucial, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
To truly excel on the court, you need to practice at game speed. You can imagine defenders hounding you, the crowd roaring, and the clock ticking down whether you’re a point guard or attacker.
Can you still maintain your form, execute your moves, and hit those free throws? That’s where the real challenge lies.
Pick-up games can help you do this. These are simply practice games that basketballers organize in the off-season to put all their training to use and get up to match fitness. You can do the same at your local high school or gym by advertising it on local noticeboards or websites.
Here are some things to work on during a pick-up:
- Free-throw shooting: A consistent free-throw shooter can be a game-changer. Practice your form, follow-through, and mental focus from the free-throw line during the game.
- Mid-range shooting: Developing a reliable mid-range shot can give you an edge over defenders who rely on perimeter defense.
- Vertical jump: A strong vertical jump can help you finish around the rim, contest shots, and grab rebounds.
- Basketball moves: Practice a variety of moves, including dribbling, passing, and shooting, to keep defenders guessing.
- Teamwork: Basketball is a team sport. Practice passing, screening, and cutting to improve your ability to play with others.
How can I get stronger in basketball?
There’s no trick to learning how to get in shape for basketball: the answer lies in dedication, hard work, and a well-rounded training regimen.
Physical conditioning lays the foundation for basketball success. Here, a combination of strength training, cardio workouts, and agility drills will help you feel lighter on your feet and build the stamina to last a full intense game.
Let’s break these three areas down into more detail so that we can clearly see what’s required.
- Upper-body strength training. Push-ups, pull-ups, and dumbbell rows help you develop the muscles to fight through contact, finish through defenders, and rebound effectively.
- Lower-body strength training. Exercises like squats, lunges, and core work will build lower body strength and stability. Top players use this to add explosive pace to their game using power to propel themselves forward: think of the likes of Kobe Bryant who is able to make quick, powerful moves to set up dunks, layups, and jump shots.
- Cardiovascular fitness. It doesn’t have to be just the treadmill that gets your cardio levels up. Activities like cycling or swimming will help you increase your endurance and maintain energy throughout the game.
- Agility drills. Ladder drills and cone drills are two exercises that improve your quickness, footwork, and change of direction. Higher athleticism will make you a more elusive and effective player.
Remember: all of this hard work means very little without backing it up with a smart basketball player diet. Getting the right nutrition gives us the fuel we need to perform at our best.
What to eat: The ultimate basketball player diet
Carbohydrates are central to getting the energy needed for intense activity, while protein is essential for muscle repair and growth. Healthy fats support hormone production and cell function, and vitamins and minerals are vital for overall health and performance.
Focus on consuming a variety of foods throughout the day to ensure a continuous supply of these nutrients.
Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables provide complex carbohydrates and essential vitamins and minerals. Lean sources of protein, such as chicken, fish, eggs, and legumes, are important for building and repairing muscle tissue. Including nuts, seeds, and avocados in your diet can provide healthy fats.
Finally, hydration is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially during intense workouts and games.
Remember, individual needs vary based on factors like age, weight, and training intensity. A sports nutritionist can provide tailored advice to ensure you’re getting the right nutrients to fuel your basketball game.
Ignacio Escribano-Ott specializes in basketball player diets. Both a coach and a scientist, he stresses the need to take care of nutrition post-exercise as well as before it, but sometimes a lack of appetite can be a problem.
“For players experiencing reduced appetite post-exercise, liquid options like protein shakes or dairy-based beverages like chocolate milk can be invaluable for delivering these nutrients in an easily digestible form,” he says.“Once appetite returns, a sandwich containing high-quality protein sources—such as tuna, a French omelette, or Serrano ham—serves as an excellent recovery meal”
How to become a better basketball player? Sign up to a top academy
It’s one thing saying that you need to train mentally and physically to improve as a player, but finding the right training environment is tough.
A personal coach may have access to facilities but if you’ve ever Googled “How much does a personal basketball trainer cost?” you may have had an unpleasant surprise.
One alternative is a basketball training school or academy. A top-tier academy can provide the coaching, facilities, and opportunities needed to take your game to the next level.
Imagine training under the guidance of experienced coaches who have worked with professional athletes in the world’s best league, the NBA.
Picture yourself practising on state-of-the-art courts, equipped with the latest technology.
Now, imagine all of this being accessible without breaking the bank.
There are academies that offer precisely this. These institutions provide an all-in-one approach to basketball development, combining expert coaching with top-notch facilities.
Look for an academy that has a proven track record of success. Consider the qualifications of their coaches and the quality of their facilities. A well-rounded program should offer individual training, group sessions, and opportunities to compete in tournaments.
By investing in a quality basketball academy, you’re not just improving your skills; you’re also laying the foundation for a successful basketball career.
So, don’t be afraid to explore your options and find the perfect fit for your goals.
Ready to become a better player at an affordable price? Contact EPB right now to find out how we can help you become the best basketballer you can possibly be.
