How to Get Better at Basketball Fast: 5 Quick and Easy Tips!

As a young basketball player in high school, I was cut from my sophomore basketball team. It wasn’t JV or Varsity – it was the sophomore team.

I can make excuses for why I failed in what I was trying to do – didn’t like the coaches, didn’t get enough reps in the tryout, didn’t feel good in the tryout, and on and on and on – but when I look back on that time, I realize that I did not put the work in in the off season to prepare myself and improve my basketball skills.

It’s a tough pill for anyone to swallow, but I wasn’t good enough. I would work out a couple of times a week and shoot baskets in my driveway here and there, but it wasn’t enough.

I had to find out how to get better at basketball quickly.

Fast-forward two years, I got double-doubles regularly and helped my team come within one basket of the state tournament.

I learned how to become a better basketball player by practicing a lot to improve my basketball skills, watching the pros, playing with people who were better than me, and more. I’ll go over all of these things in this post!

I learned a vital lesson from getting cut. I realized that no matter how long I had played basketball, nothing would be handed to me.

I vowed to become a better basketball player and get a basketball scholarship. I wanted to play in college, and I eventually did. (Again, we came within one basket of the national tournament – but that’s a story for another day.)

I got where I wanted with consistent practice and dedication, and you can too!

Read on to find out how to get better at basketball and get where you want to go to make a positive difference on whatever team you find yourself on to help them win games.

What is Self-Improvement?

Self-improvement is the conscious and intentional effort to enhance one’s skills, habits, and behaviors to achieve goals and aspirations.

It involves evaluating yourself honestly and identifying areas of weakness or areas you want to improve. Maybe you’re not conditioned enough to keep up with the game speed, or your ball handling skills are subpar. These are all things that you can improve.

The first step is recognizing them.

It requires self-discipline, commitment, and a willingness to grow and learn. The process of self-improvement requires setting achievable goals, creating actionable plans, and tracking progress over time.

Reasons You Need to Know How to Get Better at Basketball

Basketball is a physically demanding sport that requires strength, agility, speed, and endurance.

Knowing how to get better at basketball and becoming a better basketball player can not only improve your performance in a basketball game but also provide numerous benefits beyond the game.

For instance, basketball develops essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership that can be transferred to other aspects of life. The basketball players who worked to get better often see their hard work pay off later on.

Basketball is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Becoming a better basketball player and improving basketball skills can also boost self-confidence, improve mental toughness, and add social connections by providing opportunities to meet new people and make friends.

Also, improving your basketball skills can open doors to career opportunities in coaching, broadcasting, or sports journalism.

Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Get Better at Basketball Fast

If you want to improve your basketball skills, it requires consistent practice and dedication. With the right approach and techniques, you can accelerate your progress and get better at basketball fast.

In this article, I’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to get better at basketball quickly.

So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, let’s dive in and learn how to improve your basketball skills fast!

1. Practice Makes Perfect

The most important thing you need to do to become a better basketball player is to practice consistently.

As much as possible, shoot hoops every day. You can do this alone or with a partner. Practice dribbling skills, shooting, passing, and defensive skills. Make time to do this.

You can practice ball handling skills even if you’re hanging out and watching TV. You don’t even need a basketball hoop to practice dribbling.

Make it a habit to work out your muscles to increase strength, flexibility, and agility.

There is a difference in game speed at various levels, and consistently working out can help you keep up on the court. Create a basketball workout full of basketball drills that work for you, and be disciplined about it.

If you find routines difficult, invest in a program like one of the best vertical jump programs to give you an idea of how to work out.

2. Watch and Learn From Pros

Another great way to improve your basketball skills is by watching basketball games on TV or in person.

Observe professional players’ techniques and note how they move, shoot, and defend. Study their strategies, mentality, and attitude toward the game.

Find a player and analyze them. If you want to become a better shooter, analyze point guard Steph Curry‘s shooting motion during his free throws and 3-pointers and work to make yours similar. If you’re going to improve ball control, watch how Kyrie Irving plays within his offense.

Doing this will give you some inspiration and tips that can help you level up your game.

3. Play with People Who Are Better Than You

To become a better basketball player, you need to play with people who are better than you.

Find a mentor or someone who can challenge you to improve. If you’re a first- or second-year student, become friends with guys on the JV or Varsity teams to play with.

Going against good offensive players will do wonders for your defensive game. Going against good defenders will improve your ball control quickly.

Playing basketball with people with different skill sets will expose you to different play styles. Playing with better players will push you to adapt, innovate, and improve your game.

Remember, iron sharpens iron.

4. Learn From Mistakes and Failure

It’s important to understand that failure is part of the learning process.

I had to evaluate what kept me from being the player I wanted to be. I realized it was difficult to get up and down the floor, so I began running on the treadmill after practice to keep up.

If you want to improve at basketball, you must learn from your mistakes.

Analyze what went wrong, and find ways to correct them. Don’t get discouraged when things don’t go your way. Instead, use your failures to motivate and propel you closer to your goals.

5. Have Fun and Enjoy the Game

Lastly, and most importantly, have fun and enjoy the game!

Basketball should be enjoyable, not a chore. Remember the reasons why you started playing basketball. Smile on the court like Magic Johnson.

Having fun while playing basketball will help you stay motivated and improve your skills.

Key Considerations for Successfully Learning How to Get Better at Basketball

First, setting clear goals and objectives is crucial in tracking your progress and staying motivated throughout the journey. Visualize where you want to go with basketball and find out what you need to do to get there.

You should also build a solid foundation by mastering fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, and footwork before moving on to more advanced techniques. Don’t be afraid to stand behind the free throw line and shoot free throws for hours on end if that’s the part of your game that needs work.

Consistency is also vital, and you should practice regularly and develop a routine that suits your schedule and lifestyle.

Furthermore, seeking feedback from coaches or more experienced players can help identify areas of improvement and provide guidance on how to address them.

Maintaining a positive attitude, patience, and perseverance will help you navigate challenges and setbacks and stay on track toward your basketball goals.

Taking It to The Next Level: How to Make Your Teammates Better on The Court

Being a positive leader on the court does wonders not only for your play but also for the play of your teammates.

Steve Nash was a player who measured himself on the impact he had on other players on the court. He kept a stat in his head on how many high-fives he could give throughout the game.

It takes a little encouragement to help your teammates play their best.

High-fives are simple but effective. Saying things like “keep shooting” when one of the guys is in a slump, cheering your team on if you’re on the bench, and communicating what is happening on the court are all things that can improve the quality of your team’s play and help you win games.

I’ve been on more good teams than bad teams because I’ve been the one who brought a contagious energy that allowed my teammates to play at their best. That’s the guy your coach loves having on the team.

Alternative Methods to Become a Better Basketball Player

What is the alternative to working hard and becoming a better basketball player? What’s the alternative to realizing your basketball dribbling is subpar and that you need to improve your dribbling skills?

You may get cut from your team like I did. You might lose confidence and hinder your team rather than help it.

For me, there was no alternative. Without basketball, who knows where I’d be today?

Take a second and answer this question. Maybe you’re not playing organized basketball and just want to have fun at the park on Saturday afternoons. There’s nothing wrong with that. But if this is the case, you may be left out because you haven’t practiced your skills enough to play with good players.

Your teams may lose repeatedly, resulting in less time on the court. There are always consequences to not working hard, so ask yourself if the consequence of daily practice is better than the consequence of losing over and over again.

Conclusion

Don’t wait for something like getting cut from the team before you realize you need to work hard to be successful. Learn from me and start increasing your skills and becoming a better player before something like this happens.

I could climb out of the hole I dug into, but it wasn’t easy. There are a lot of difficulties that get in the way, and not everyone can overcome them.

So find out what you want from the game and work hard to get there. The rewards of hard work are always sweet, and you’ll take this work ethic into everything you do for the rest of your life!

FAQ

How can I improve my basketball skills?

Practice, practice, practice. It’s harped on all the time, but this is the only way to improve your basketball skills.

There is a lot of hard work that goes into becoming a better player.

There is no shortcut unless you’re one of LeBron James’ sons, but even they have had to work hard to get where they are (they just have a really good personal trainer).

How can I get better in 2 hours for basketball?

One two-hour workout session will probably not get you to where you want to be, but if you do two-hour sessions day after day for a few weeks, you’ll be a much better player than when you started.

This two-hour session can include dribbling drills, shooting drills, rebounding drills, lifting, stretching, etc. If you have a routine that includes all of these different aspects, you’re headed in the right direction!

How do I stand out at tryouts?

Be a good teammate. A lot of guys try to show off their skills, and that’s all well and good, but if you come across as a one-man show and ball hog, this will not always bode well, especially if you’re not making shots.

Encourage your teammates, give out high-fives, communicate effectively, and do what you need to do to win scrimmages and be a good team player. You should have plenty of time to show your individual skills during specific individual-based drills that accompany tryouts as well.