how to be a professional basketball trainer

It's not simply a matter of having spectacular athletic ability that allows a player to become a top-level professional athlete. While the ability to leap high and come down with a spectacular dunk might please the crowd, developing a solid all-around game that includes dribbling, passing, shooting and defense will help players get to the highest levels of basketball.

Conditioning

Basketball is a game that requires top-level conditioning. In order to play well, you must have constant movement up and down a 94-foot long court for four quarters. Conditioning interval sprints done on a high school or college track will help you build speed and endurance. Build strength and power with a weight-training program that includes the bench press, arm curls, the dead lift and the leg press. Do box jumps to help improve your leaping ability. The offseason is the primary time to do conditioning work but you can do maintenance level conditioning in the middle of the season as well.

Shooting

Improving your shooting and becoming more of an offensive threat will help your development and your ability to assist your team. A team with good or competent shooters at every position is difficult to defend because you can't ignore anyone while you double-team one or two excellent shooters. Shoot every day at the start and finish of practice on your own. Bring out a rack of balls and shoot 10 times from the right baseline, the right wing, the top of the key, the left wing and the left baseline. This will help you feel comfortable when you get the ball in the shooting position.

Dribbling Skills

In order to be a more effective player, work on your dribbling skills. All players need to know how to handle the ball. It's not just the point guard who has to be able to dribble. All players benefit by dribbling well. Even top pros need to develop dribbling skills with their weak hand. Players who don't work on this are vulnerable to steals and turnovers because they depend too much on their dominant hand. Set up cones on the court and use your left hand if you are a right-handed player. Dribble to the left of the first cone, the right of the second, the left of the third and continue in this manner. This will help you to change hands when you dribble and build skill with both hands.

Defensive Effort

Winning basketball always includes excellent defense. Coaches look at defensive play as a constant. They demand tough defensive play from all players at all times. Players who go through the motions on defense and who are thinking about the next offensive possession hurt their teams. In order to play good and consistent defense, place your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees, have your hands at shoulder height where you can get them in the passing lanes and always keep yourself between your opponent and the basket.