Basketball is one of the great Aussie sports. Alongside Aussie rules, cricket, rugby and tennis, this is a sport in which our sports-mad nation truly excels. We love playing ball, whether it be part of a local team, at the park or in the driveway and this is because it is simply such a fun sport to play!
The combination of dribbling, passing, running and shooting is what makes this game so high-speed and high-energy. If you’re just starting your journey to becoming the next Andrew Gaze or Lauren Jackson then there are some awesome things you can do to ensure your game is taken to the next level.
From agility to shooting practice, here are five tips for improving your court game:
Focus on agility
Basketball in Australia is a sport that is built on agility. Players must have the ability to dodge, pivot, twist and turn in no time, and so anyone looking to level up their game has to work on their agility. So, the next time you find yourself on the court, work on your sprints, shuttle runs, lateral jumps and more!
Keep working on your shooting
Whenever you find yourself training, you have to be sure to continue to work on your shooting game. You should take the time to work on each of the most important shots, including your jump shot, free throw and layup. Shooting is one of those things that can seem really difficult at first but, with practice, you can become much better. As such, be sure to work on your shooting game every time you take to the court for practice.
Strength training
This is a game that can be hard on weak joints, so if working out in the gym to improve your game, remember to work these body parts, too. This includes everything from the ankles to the knees, the grip and your core, as this is not only essential to avoiding injury, but it will also go a long way to helping your on-court strength – a key element to developing skills.
Don’t forget defence
Your defensive game is just as important as your offensive game. After all, this is a sport that is end-to-end, and usually rolls in rotation between defence and offence (unless your team is absolutely pummeling or being absolutely pummelled). So, whenever you’re with your local team, or playing ball with friends in the park, be sure to focus on your defensive game and how you can not only win the ball from the opposition (steals, blocks etc.) but also how you can set an offensive play from a defensive position.
Think about plays
There are so many plays in ball and any good player should know how to set them. You should be able to tell where your teammates are going to be going and when, and be able to call plays from situations like throw-ins. This is one of the most imperative ways for you and your teammates to sneak past the opposition and find yourselves in a scoring position as, after all, you cannot do this without having a few plays in your repertoire.
Be sure to follow these imperative tips to becoming a superstar ball player. They will help you become a well-rounded player across every aspect of the game, ensuring you will be a teammate that your players look to for guidance in tight situations!
