Better Basketball Skills

Basketball is a fast-paced game of sudden stops and starts that requires coordination, aerobic endurance and an even-tempered personality. Successful basketball players must learn all the physical skills involved in the game, while being crowded and pushed by other players. They must remain cool and pay attention while focusing on their next move. To build better basketball skills, players practice drills and exercises that prepare them for aggressive play on the court.

Offensive players learn how to keep pushing in the face of mounting opposition, as the other players crowd closely in the line of motion. Practice dribbling low to the ground to move through a defensive line. The sweep, moving the ball back and forth while pivoting, is a move that requires courage and attitude. Confidence and a willingness to move through the defensive line are skills that require mental fortitude, as much as physical skill. Being low to the ground gives you an advantage and a better chance at holding onto the ball as you pivot and continue to move forward.

While basketball players must work on their own shooting and dribbling skills, the game is won by closely choreographed teamwork. Develop passing skills with other team members through drills running back and forth across the court. Spend time with your team to learn how each player expresses readiness to receive the ball. Throwing the ball at a player who is not prepared will only result in lost plays. During passing drills, change the pace and practice passing the ball to different players at various locations on the court. Develop a code among the team so there is no mistaking who is ready to receive the ball.

Basketball players can never jump too high. The better jumpers make more baskets consistently. Develop better jumping skills by focusing on leg training. Off the court, spend time with rowing machines and leg pushes. Add weight to the equipment to increase the resistance and build muscle. Running and jogging can help build leg strength. Stay hydrated when working on muscle building, so that the joints and tendons remain lubricated. It won't help to build muscle if you cramp while doing it.

The website Improving Your Basketball Skills Made Easy recommends using the B.E.E.F. anagram to improve shooting abilities. The four principles stand for balance, elbow under the ball, eyes focused on target and follow-through. Practice builds confidence, another quality needed when taking shots. Practice shooting in crowded noisy gyms and basketball courts to develop concentration skills.

Sharp defensive skills are just as important as the basket-making offensive skills. As the other team approaches its basket, it is up to a skilled defense to prevent a score. Work on crouching so that you can maintain a lower position than the person you are guarding. Squats and leg presses help build the thigh muscles needed to maintain a low position. It's easier to stop a forward-moving player when you are crouched at least lower than the opponent's head. Practice crab-walking and bursting forward from a crouched position to develop better defensive skills.