As a kid, you dream of growing up to be a star athlete or somebody famous. You play imaginary games in your driveway, pretending to be your favorite professional athlete making the game-winning play. Although a small percentage actually make it to the big time, there are skills and drills you can practice to give yourself a shot. Working on the fundamentals at an early age will make you a good basketball player as a kid, and may make you a star as an adult.
Step 1
Learn to dribble with your right and left hand. If you only practice dribbling with your dominant hand, you will be easy to guard in a game. Defenses will be able to dictate the direction you can go by forcing you to use your weak hand. If you are able to dribble with both hands, the defense won't be able to force to dribble in a direction you don't want to go, making you more difficult to guard and a better basketball player. Do drills such as Figure 8, 2-ball dribble, full-court speed dribble or full-court zig-zag dribbling.
Step 2
Practice proper shooting form. Poor shooting habits developed at a young age are hard to break, making shot corrections more difficult and less likely to occur. Start out shooting on lower hoops while you learn proper shooting techniques, then gradually increase the height of the basket to the regulation 10 feet. Line your shooting arm up with the basket, keeping your elbow tucked in so that it lightly brushes your ribs as your bring the ball up for a shot. Keep your eye on the target all the way through your follow through. Have a good base for your shot by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, and keep your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball to act as a guide through your shot motion.
Step 3
Develop good footwork. Perform drills that require you to jump stop, pivot or slide. Some examples are the defense z-drill, ball-handling drills such as Red Light, Green Light or passing drills such as four-corners passing. Good footwork will make you an efficient offensive player, as well as a fundamentally sound defensive player.
Step 4
Play every day. The only true way to make yourself a good basketball player is by playing a lot of basketball. Play with your friends, your siblings or by yourself. Practice basic fundamentals and challenge yourself by playing with older competition. You may lose a lot early, but the difficult competition will pay off later.
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