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Archive for February, 2010

In this article today I would like to share several tips, tricks, and tactics that just about anybody can use to become the best basketball player they possibly can.

Basketball is the greatest game ever invented, in my opinion. Being the best player is its own reward, but the fact remains that NBA basketball players make millions of dollars, making basketball more than just a game. So what does it take to become a professional basketball player? Do you have to just be born with natural talent? The answer is no, in fact anybody can become a professional basketball player if they simply choose to work hard enough… the problem is that most people don’t want to put in the hard work.
 
 It’s been a few years since Larry Bird played basketball but the fact remains that he was one of the greatest players in the history of the game. He once remarked that he couldn’t wait for the season to begin so that he could take a break! You see, as soon as the season ended, Larry Bird went to work full-time on his game – practicing from 10 to 14 hours every single day. Once the season started he could ease back on that work schedule so it was almost like a vacation!
 
 Most people look at basketball the other way around. They work hard during the season and then take some time off afterwards but that’s the wrong attitude to have and that’s the wrong attitude for you to have too.
 
 When you get right down to it there’s only one thing that makes somebody a good basketball player and that is hard work. You’ve got to treat it like a job and put in a full day’s work every single day during the off-season.
 
 If you practice 8 to 10 hours a day every single day during the off-season, don’t you think you’d be an amazing basketball player in no time at all? Don’t you think you’d run rings around everybody on your high school team? Don’t you think you’d run rings around everybody in your state? The answer is yes, it just takes hard work.
 
 Get in the habit of starting every day with a 3 to 5 mile jog before school starts. Then when school is out hit the gym or the park and shoot baskets for four hours. I like to choose 10 to 15 spots on the court and make 10 baskets in a row at each of those spots. That’s an amazingly effective workout that will sculpt you into one of the best shooters in your state.
 
 Being the best basketball player is no mystery, it really does just take discipline and hard work. Talent is nice but definitely not necessary as long as you’ve got the discipline to work hard you should be just fine.
 
 Here then are some basketball ball handling tips:
 
 First and foremost, practice ball handling as much as possible because dribbling is fundamental. Begin the dribble by pushing the ball firmly to the floor. Use your hand and wrist to control the height and speed of the bounce. While you are preoccupied with the challenge of the first defender on your back, it is wise to keep the ball low to keep a second defender from stealing your ball or picking your pocket.
 
 Clap the ball with one hand or the other while it rests on either hand, and release either hand off the ball. Gain control of the ball by spreading your fingers over its top. Keep your hand on top of the ball so that it rebounds accurately, and try to keep the bounce height to about waist level. Try to keep the ball from hitting the palm of your hand. Feel the ball with your fingers and let your wrists do the work. When dribbling, flex your wrists and spread your fingers. Push the basketball down lightly. Make sure your legs are bent but your back is straight to prepare you to move quickly.
 
 Also, use angles to your advantage. Instead of trying to put on some great move and to go by someone, the novice point guard should concentrate on a low dribble, on protecting the ball with their body and an arm bar, and on advancing the ball up the floor using 45 degree angles.
 
 Aside from all these basketball ball handling tips, it is also important that you learn the proper form, adapt to the pace of the game, and be ready to receive the ball at all times.