how to be a better shooter in basketball

Shooting a basketball takes years of practice to master. Even professional players may take hundreds of shots every day in an effort to improve their jump shot and to be able to shoot at a high level. You may be excellent at shooting during practice at the gym. Yet the stakes are higher in a game, where you may become fatigued or struggle against a good defensive effort. At any stage of your game, you can improve your shooting form.

Step 1

Keep your eyes on the rim despite defenders that try to distract you by running toward you, waving their hands, making noises or attempting to block a shot. Work to ignore distractions; failing to do so will make your shot much less likely to go in.

Step 2

Follow through and curl your wrist using proper form, which leads to better shots. Snap your wrist to put backspin on the ball as it leaves your hand, making it easier for the ball to drain through the net if it hits the back of the rim.

Step 3

Create your own shot by dribbling with the ball to get open to shoot. Run through picks, fake out defenders and move to the open spot on the floor. Pay attention during set plays in basketball practice. Understand the purpose of the plays and work hard even when the ball is out of your hands to outsprint defenders and put pressure on your opponents.

Step 4

Set your feet, square up to the hoop and jump straight up; avoid imitating professionals who shoot as they fall forward, backward or to the side, which leads to low-percentage shots. Release the ball near the top of your upward motion for the most accurate shot.

how to be a captain on a basketball team

Most sports, like Basketball, involve more than a single player. Several players combined to form a single group can be considered as a team. When you hear the word team, there has to be someone who will lead them. I am, definitely, not referring to the coach of the team. What I mean is a leader among the player themselves. The player who steps up and demonstrates leadership skills, both on court and off court, is widely considered to be the team captain.
Simple Recall
To better understand this topic, let us try to analyze how Webster described the following terms:

• Responsibility – a moral obligation or duty; a charge or trust.
• Team – a group of people participating in a sport together.
• Captain – the leader of a team, as in sports.

Just by the definitions alone, one can perceive what it means, and how hard it is, to be the team captain. Now, we are ready to look at the different responsibilities of a team captain.

Here the 10 attributes of a good Team Captain:
1. He’s a Team Leader
Once the referees blow their whistle, get on the court. This is the time where the team captain steps up to be the leader of the team. He will try to reinforce the plays that their coach had taught them. One can notice that, in ball games, the team captain often talks to his teammates and directs them what to do. He resembles to be the coach among his teammates. And also, he will be the one leading his teammates on basketball practices. He listens to what his teammates have to say, complements, and respects them.
2. He is an Organizer
A team executes plays as a unit. It means that they should function as one. The team captain usually exerts the effort to organize his troop. To organize means reminding his teammates their respective roles in the team. Members should bear in mind what their functions are. This will allow a spontaneous and harmonious movements, or rotation of players, on the court. It is important to deliver the ball to someone who is in good position to shoot that basket.
3. He enforces positive thinking
Being optimistic means being hopeful of something positive to happen. The team captain loves to motivate his teammates. He gives them hope to go on playing their game no matter what happens. We often hear him say, “We can do this”, or, “this is our game.” He never fails to give a positive outlook among his teammates. Positive thinking enables a player to perform a certain level of functioning he never thought possible to happen.
4. He recognizes his teammates’ skills
The team captain studies his teammates’ skills. He pays recognition on what they are capable of doing. This will give him the opportunity to familiarize their movements, and will try to adjust in order to fit in with the kind of game his teammates do.
5. He utilizes his teammates’ abilities
After discovering his teammates’ potentials, the team captain will try to organize his team wherein they can make use of their varied abilities. Let me give you some examples, if a team member is good with perimeter shooting, the team captain will ensure to pass the ball to that team member. In case of a back-court press, the team captain will ensure that the best ball handler in the court is the one dribbling the ball. These are just few examples on how t utilize the abilities of your teammate if you are the team captain
6. He ensures unselfish ball handling
The team captain understands that the game is not about him. It is all about the entire team effort. He will make sure that the ball will not stick to a single player alone. It must be, intelligently, passed around to a player who is in a better position to shoot the ball. A team should value each member’s capabilities.
7. He steps up when needed
There can be a time when your team cannot be able to sustain playing their game well. At these instances, it is the team captain who steps up. He puts the responsibility of scoring a basket over himself. He is, usually, the most talented player in the team. Aside from offense, he will try to demonstrate impeccable defense to stop the opponents. He serves as a model to his teammates, inspiring them to do what he does.
8. He creates a harmonious working relationship
As a leader of the group, the team captain ensures a harmonious working relationship within the entire team. He will be the one to help resolve issues, and relieve tensions among his teammates who are involved. A team can work as one effectively if they maintain an environment free from individual tensions.
9. He takes time to know his teammates personally
The team captain takes the time to know his teammates, individually, in a personal level. This is a way for him, and his teammates, to establish rapport among them. It is undeniably pleasurable and easy to play with someone you know and trust. Trust is a very important tool to establish in a basketball team. A player can let go of that ball and pass it around if he does not trust his teammate. The team leader can organize outdoor social outings for the team. This is a great way to start socialization among the team.
10. He mentors his teammates
As what I have pointed out, the team captain resembles the team coach. He gives advices, tips, and instructions on how to execute basket skills appropriately. Aside from being a very talented player, the team captain is also the person who is very much familiarized with the sport.
The team captain takes the responsibility to lead his teammates. He acts as the head of the team inside the court. He thinks and acts for the betterment of the whole team, and not for his benefit alone.

how to be a defensive stopper in basketball

One way to break into the starting lineup, get more playing time, and have a successful playing career is to become a big-time defensive player.
We talk a lot about offense and scoring, but defense is just as important. Playing good defense helps your team win games, and being a really good defender can get you more playing time.
Coaches like players that can score, but coaches also give lots of playing time to players that are defensive stoppers.
A lot of defense comes down to desire and effort. Most people have the ability to get out on the floor and play good defense. But being a good defender isn't easy. It takes hard work. Not everyone is willing to dig down and play tough defense. You can separate yourself from everyone else by taking on the challenge of becoming a tough, hard nosed defender.
How do you become a great defender? Let's cover four key areas.
Take away your opponent's strengths
Taking away your opponent's strengths is probably one of the most important ways to become a good defender and stand out on the defensive end of the floor. It's a simple, but effective concept: make your opponent do things they don't like to do, or aren't good at. If your opponent like posting up on the right block, over guard them and force them to post up on the left block. If the person you're guarding likes to catch the ball around the free throw line, guard them closely and don't let them get the ball there. Force them to catch the ball out on the wing, where they aren't so comfortable. If the person you are guarding likes to drive to their left, force them to drive to their right. Whatever you need to do to take away your opponent's first choice, their strengths, do it. It'll make your job easier, and you'll be a better defender and get more playing time.
Stop your opponent from getting on a roll
Basketball is a game of momentum and runs. A player will get hot and hit a bunch of shots in a row. A team will make a steal, get an easy layup, then gain lots of momentum and hit every shot they take for the next 5 or 6 possessions. As a defender, your job is to make sure the other team, the player you are guarding does not get on a roll. Here's how to do it: say the person you are guarding hits a jump shot. The next time down the floor, don't let them get the ball. Over play them so they can't receive a pass. If they do get the ball, crowd them so they can't take a shot. If they do take a shot, play them closely and make sure they take a tough shot. In short, do whatever it takes so that that one jumper they hit doesn't turn into 2 baskets, then 4 baskets. If a player you guard hits a shot, play extra hard to make sure they don't get hot, get on a roll, and start hitting shot after shot.
Do on defense what you wouldn't like to face as an offensive player
This is another simple, but effective way to become a good defender: think about what you hate to face as an offensive player, then go out and play defense that way. For example, as an offensive player, you probably like playing against opponent's that stand up straight on defense and aren't really ready to guard you when you cut to the basket. You probably like playing against players that aren't aggressive, that allow you to cut across the floor, that allow you to catch the ball pretty much when and wherever you want to, that often forget to box you out when the shot goes up, and who are lazy and don't run back down the floor on defense. Well, guess what? If you do the opposite of those things I just described, you'll be a pretty darn good defender.
Don't ever stand straight up on the defensive end of the floor: always stay low, in good athletic and defensive positions. Be aggressive. Check cutters across the lane. Force your opponent to catch the ball way out on the floor, or in a spot that wasn't their first choice. Box out every single time the shot goes up, and do it aggressively. In other words, play tough, hard defense and do the things that will frustrate your opponent. If your opponent gets frustrated, that means you're doing your job.
Work, work, work
Like we've said before, being a good defensive player is all about being tough and working hard. Everyone wants to score the basketball. That's where all the glory is. But most victories are made on the defensive end of the floor. Good defensive teams tend to be good teams, which win lots of games, and go far in the playoffs. The defensive end of the floor isn't necessarily where the glory is, but it's where games are won or lost.
So you have to make a decision: are you willing to do the hard work that is necessary to be a good defender? If you aren't, then you are going to have to accept the fact that you probably won't play as much as you would if you were a good defender. Coaches and teams need players that can play both ends of the floor. And playing good defense means working hard at being focused, staying low and ready to move at all times, seeing your man and the ball, checking cutters across the lane, playing good help side defense, closing out on shooters, getting a hand up on shooters, and blocking out on every single shot.
Playing good defense can be tiring. But if you're in good shape, focus on working hard on that end of the floor, you'll play a lot of minutes, and you'll help your team win games.

how to be a fast basketball

Speed training for basketball players involves multidirectional movement. Athletes who train to move quickly in all directions are often faster, more efficient and more valuable on the court than those who do not. These drills help improve your speed and acceleration as well as train you for improved directional changes. Incorporate these two training exercises into your already established workout regimen once a week for improved speed and agility on the court.

Power Skipping

Step 1

Increase speed results by strengthening leg muscles. Power skipping increases strength in the quadriceps, gluteal and calf muscles, helping you deliver quick acceleration on the court.

Step 2

Establish improved jumping ability through integrating power skipping into your training regimen. Increasing your vertical leap will help you get jump balls, rebounds and shoot over the heads of opposing players.

Step 3

Perform power skipping as you would regular skipping, jumping as high and far as you can with each stride. Swing your arms hard and as fast as you can to help propel you forward and upward. Raise your knees high with every leap to gain as much space between you and the ground as possible. Press through your push-off leg with each step, leaping up and forward with power and momentum.

Step 4

Measure 50 yards and power skip from start to finish as hard and fast as possible. Once completed with one segment, walk back to your starting point and begin again. At first, perform five power skip repeats per workout and gradually increase the number of repeats as your strength and endurance improve.

Step 5

Incorporate power skipping into your established basketball training regimen for improved speed and jumping power on the court.

T-Drill

Step 1

Work on multi-directional acceleration with field drills like this T-drill.

Step 2

Create a horizontal line using orange safety cones, spacing three in a row, approximately 15 yards between each. From that center cone, place a fourth cone approximately 30 yards away, running perpendicular to the first line. The design should resemble a capital letter "T" when you are finished setting up the cones.

Step 3

Begin at the bottom of the "T" and sprint straight ahead to the 15 yard marker cone. From there, side-shuffle to the right until you reach the far right cone. Sprint from the right corner of the "T" to the left corner of the "T," passing the middle 15 yard cone. Once you have reached the far left cone, side shuffle to the center cone and sprint the remaining 30 yards to your starting point.

Step 4

Rest 30 seconds between T-drills and repeat. Begin with 10 drill repeats. As your strength and endurance increase, gradually increase the number of repeats you perform per workout.

how to be a good at basketball

In the game of basketball, there are a variety of methods of scoring. in order to be a good scorer, you must master the skills of scoring from underneath the basket, driving to the basket and scoring from the outside. Practice these skills and utilize them in game situations to gain the confidence you need to be a consistent scorer.

Step 1

Develop a reliable outside shot. Becoming a good outside shooter requires learning correct form and practicing that form over and over again. To learn correct form, watch instructional videos that are available on the Internet. Find a practice partner and take turns practicing your outside shot from different angles and distances from the basket. If you play the guard position, or the "small" forward position, practice shooting from the three point line, and pulling up for jump shots off the dribble. If you are a taller player, and play close to the basket, learn how to shoot a turn around jump shot and a jump hook.

Step 2

Play one-on-one often. This helps you develop a quick first step that enables you to go by your defender. Once you are close to the basket, you will learn how to use your body to shield the ball from a defender. An effective way of learning how to drive to the basket is by watching players who demonstrate the skill and practicing what they do. Play one-on-one against a variety of players.

Step 3

Practice ball handling skills. Learn to dribble with both hands, which keeps your defender from knowing if you are likely to go left or right. Practicing high dribbles will allow you to accelerate past your defender in the open court. Practicing spin dribbles and crossover dribbles will help you go by your defender when he is playing you too closely.

Step 4

Practice your foul shooting. Because of you skill at driving to the basket, you will get fouled often. Consequently, it is important to practice your foul shooting. Practice shooting your foul shots in simulated game conditions. For example, in a game of one-on-one, have each player shoot foul shots after being fouled.

Basketball is a team sport that also requires individual skills. Teams must work together but rely on the skills of each player to score and defend against other teams. Improving your skills as a basketball player will increase your chances of moving up and participating in more competitive teams, such as in recreational leagues or in high school.

how to be a good basketball captain

If you find yourself wanting to know more about how to be a good basketball leader then take advantage of this useful information - it will no doubt transform all of your current knowledge of basketball. What would you do with the knowledge that it is absolutely possible to strengthen your skills in the game by an impressive 30%? Moreover, you can do that without even going out from home. If you find yourself doubting this, or you can't believe it's even possible, take a look at the rest of this review - it'll no doubt astound you.

Before going any further, you should know one very important fact - in this game, it is not a simple matter of one player running faster or jumping higher than the next player, but also about making the right choices and the right moves. The competence to know what the competition has planned, or make quick and precise steals or assists, for instance, is linked to your cognitive or thinking abilities, in other words, brain skills. Most athletes have the incorrect view of these skills as something athletes are born with, but the truth is that they are not necessarily inborn talents, but instead are brain skills you can acquire.
Even in the case that you just need to know more about how to be a good basketball leader, or whether you play on your junior high, high school, or college team - it became possible to really better your overall game level and statistics by "training" your brain. A group of scientists developed a unique software system that enables you to do that; it is based on a "video game", and you need to "play" this game for brief sessions of 20-30 minutes, once or twice a week, for just a few weeks - the outcome is truly impressive. Head coaches from across the usa (memphis, uconn, connecticut and others) have reported dramatic improvement just after working with individuals as well as entire teams with this amazing solution.
Before finding out more about how to be a good basketball leader, i suggest that you "play with" this precious "secret" training system. It appears that the once unlikely dream of playing basketball at a professional level for a lot of young players has not until now been so reachable; users of this innovative system told of a remarkable improvement in their skills after only 20-30 days of practice.

how to be a good basketball coach

As a basketball coach, what you say to your players before tip-off — and how you say it — can have a big impact on how they play the game. Here are some ideas about what to say to your team before a game to set the tone for a fun day of basketball.

One of the worst discussions you can have with kids before a game is talking about the opponent's win-loss record. Concentrating on records sends the unwanted signal that winning is the most important thing to you. Instead, steer conversations to other areas, such as those below.

Being nervous is a good thing

Let your players know that having sweaty palms or butterflies in their stomachs is perfectly normal and actually preferred. Nervousness is a good sign that they care about the game. Tell them that even pros get nervous before games! Remind the kids to take a few deep breaths to calm their nerves and relax and simply focus on performing the basic skills well.

Win or lose, I support you

No matter whether a child scores in double digits and your team wins or he fails to sink a basket and you lose, he should always receive the same treatment from you: support and positive reinforcement. And the child should know before the game that he'll get this.

Mistakes are okay

If you let your players know that even the best basketball players make mistakes and that you accept mistakes as part of the game, you'll enable them to take to the court more relaxed. Chances are they'll play more effectively because they won't fear failure or your reaction to it.

Be a good sport

Remind your players to hold their heads up and be respectful whether the team wins or loses, or whether they have a great day or a sub-par day. Also, let your youngsters know that you want them to show respect toward opponents and officials.

During one of my games, I . . .

By sharing some stories from your childhood basketball experiences, you help your kids remain calm, relaxed, and in the right frame of mind before the game begins. If you can laugh at yourself and joke about what happened during your playing days, a child can laugh with you and be less likely to get upset when she makes a turnover.

Talk about your pals on the other team

Ask your players if they know any of the kids on the other team. Doing so shifts the focus away from winning and losing and puts their minds on talking about their friends. If you're coaching an advanced-level team, you can also ask about the opponent's tendencies (if they tend to drive to the basket or prefer to loft jump shots, for example). If you played the team earlier in the season, discuss the positive aspects of your team's play that day to help put them in a positive frame of mind.

I'm excited to watch you in action

Kids want to play well to make their parents and coaches proud, so when you tell them that you have confidence in them and are eager to watch them perform, you give their self-esteem a big boost.