Fall is looming closer, which is the reminder that it’s almost time to recognize your goals for the next school year. If you’re hoping to make your school’s basketball team, it isn’t too late to get serious about training for it. By putting in the right amount of effort, you can improve your game to make varsity. Here are a few things to focus on while you are out on your backyard basketball court.
Focus on Your Dribbling
In the 70’s and the 80’s, the main way the ball moved around the court was passing. Dribbling was normally restricted to one or two dribbles per player. The game now is far more focused on spreading and attacking.
Every team needs one great dribbler, but everyone on the court needs to be good enough to handle the pressure of man on man defense. When you are on your outdoor basketball court here are a few things to concentrate on.
#1 Learn to dribble with either hand interchangeably.
#2 Master the ability to keep your head up, scanning the environment, rather than focusing on the ball.
#3 Develop the ability to change speeds and switch directions, decreasing predictability.
#4 Gain the skill of using your non-dribbling arm as a shield.
Learn to Shoot Like a Pro
When it comes down to it, whoever has the most points on the board at the end of the game wins. It doesn’t matter how good you can dribble if you can’t put the ball in the hoop. Putting in the hours shooting on your home basketball court will make your shooting percentage rise significantly.
The most important shots to master for your tryout are: the basic jump shot, the three point shot, the free throw, the layup and the fade away jump shot. These will prove instrumental in setting you apart from the pack on tryout day.
Condition Like a Marathon Runner
Hustle is one of the most important skills to possess to be a star player. A player is expected to be able to maintain a high level of intensity from the minute they leave the bench to the minute their subbed out.
If you want to appear at top performance, spend time doing both sprints and longer distance runs. You should be doing short sprints on your home basketball court every day and leaving the court for a longer run a few times a week.
These skills will make you stand out like an all-star on tryout day. Put in the practice now on your home basketball court and execute it effortlessly when it really matters.