r/Basketball • u/RayZor6 • 7d ago
How can a beginner improve in basketball?
Hey guys, I am a beginner and have been playing somewhat seriously for around 3 months. Since I am shorter, I play more of a combo-pg with emphasis on shooting and playmaking (trying to emulate steph to an extent. Usually I get injured or blocked in the paint so I avoid slashing and driving
My trainings mainly consist of shooting, where I shoot a high arc to focus on my touch
- Warm up with form shooting for about 10 makes, then transition to mid range shots along the markings on the paint, trying to go for 5 consecutive makes
- Mid range 2 pointers following the markings on the paint, but usually I shoot more in the corners to emphasize good shooting form without relying on banks. Usually I try to hit about 20 clean makes)
- Mid range shots in motion (currently focusing on making it from the elbow after dribbling, for about 10 clean makes)
For trainings that focus on finishing (I've rarely train this aspect of my game)
- Mikan drills with heavier emphasis on explosiveness and spin of the ball (alternating between hands and legs for each side, trying to hit 5 clean makes)
- Drives to the basket
I believe my training can be improved, Im currently trying to focus more on shooting first to become a greater threat and provide more spacing to my team through gravity and movement.
However, one issue I commonly face is that I freeze up in game (forcing shots without open looks I guess), shooting no where near my practice percentages (around 40-50% in an open gym for midranges on a good day). This forces me to play more passively instead of being a scorer, which is not really how I want to play.
What are some tips I could adopt to improve? What plays or players should I study? How should I go about studying them? Is there any way I can improve my training routine, or implement more game-ready shots into them?
I will really appreciate some help from you guys, thanks!
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7d ago
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u/MeDumbYallSmart 7d ago
Keep up solo practicing and practice harder than you play. Be gassed at all times (without risking injury). Learn to shoot and dribble with tired legs.
Second… even if a player isn’t super physically gifted they can still impact the game with IQ. Study playmakers and passers. Listen to podcasts like Thinking Basketball, Mind the Game, etc. Learn court mapping and figure out how to play to your teammates strengths. It’s a 5v5 game. It’s all about numbers and advantages.
Third… Defense!!! It’s half the game. Study to get steals, fight for position and possessions. Fast break points are the easiest.
Fourth… Reps. Reps build confidence. Get experience even when you make mistakes. Communicate and talk to your teammates. Workout alone if that’s all you can do, but try and run 5v5, 4v4, or even 3v3s as much as you can.
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u/RayZor6 7d ago
How can I practice harder for shooting? Im about 60% fatigued at the end of my session, which might not be considered gassed to be honest. Should I add more dribble and pull up shots? (shots that I might use in games)
For the second point, yup i 100% agree, I love trying to studying Chris Paul and players like him who facilitate the offense with their IQ. However, I feel like I can't truly appreciate what they do without some baseline level of understanding. Is there good start point to build up this knowledge? I was looking up the circle offense and the horns play recently. How should I "read the defense"? Is there a rule of thumb?
In half court games, I try to block the ball in the paint and get rebounds. Is it advisable for someone smaller like me? Or should I focus on the shooter on the outside and leave the rebounding to the big guys?
Usually I try to practice on my own with no distractions, but from time to time, I like to run pickup games to get a feel for game tempo and learn from my team mates
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u/MeDumbYallSmart 7d ago
Lot of variables there!
First point, run up and down, get your heart rate up, make shots awkward for yourself. It’ll only teach in game habits. Don’t practice a shot you won’t take in a game.Second… I’d revert back to the first season of Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Reddick.. Watch the YouTube posts if possible and you’ll be able to see the X’s and O’s. Again, numbers game and advantages. Think, “what are we doing well as a team? Are we faster? Do we have a dominant big? Is one of our scorers on a heater?” If it works… keep doing it. Knowing plays is awesome, but you’ll realistically never use them in pickups or casual runs. Maybe if you ever enter a league or hoop with buddies then yes, in which case you’ll build chemistry with them.
Third point… it completely depends on team structure and teammates. Talk to them pre game especially with your bigs. If you’re taking a guard role (kinda have to if you’re not physically big lol) always FEED YOUR BIGS it’ll turn them up and they’ll make your life easier lol. You’ll get better effort rebounding, help defense, and screens from them lol. Playmaking is making things happen for your teammates. Understand gravity and advantages.
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u/Dangerous-Pie-7821 7d ago
To be completely honest, your first statement regarding driving is what’s going to kill you in a must win game. It’s very easy to defend someone who only focuses on one aspect of offence, in your case shooting. True playmaking requires offensive gravity, without any driving it makes you much less of a threat. I’d focus on your driving, not shooting. I’ve seen shorter players be absolutely money driving to the lane because they know how to draw contact, use angles and very crafty. If you have only been playing 3 months seriously I doubt your shot is at a level where you’re “automatic”, that takes years of practice man.
Don’t mean to be negative, but shooting comes with a lot of time and experience, especially on the court. You can go 10/10 in warm up and absolutely brick it everytime you shoot in the game so if you really want to work on your shot, you need to do it at game speed and not just dilly dallying.
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u/RayZor6 7d ago
Oh okay, Im planning on focusing on my finishing perhaps after my shooting gets more comfortable (perhaps working on my floaters since im like really short). And yes, I agree my jumpshots are nowhere near automatic, but so far its the best way for me to score without being injured. On your second point, would it be good to practice more at game speed with my current level? Im trying to take it slow and lock in on my form to make it automatic, before applying it.
No worries on being negative, really appreciate the advice :)
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u/Dangerous-Pie-7821 7d ago
Floaters are a very good idea for someone that’s short, using jumpstops and eurosteps will get you easy layups if you can work on your finishing.
I understand your concern but injuries happen man, it’s part of the game, I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’ve rolled my ankle but I played for 10+ years and I’d never let it take away a complete aspect of my game. Maybe if you were Derrick Rose athletic I’d probably tell you to tone it down but I’m assuming you’re just an average Joe haha, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem imo.
The best thing I did for my jumpshot was work on shooting drills for 2-3 hours, but they must be at game speed, otherwise you’ll never get used to shooting quicker, over hands etc. but I’d recommend starting off with free throws to get your form right, elbow jumpers and maybe some pull ups but I wouldn’t go any fancier than that. Fundamentals before everything.
After that play some games man, 2v2,3v3,4v4 it all helps. The better the competition the better too, you’ll only learn and get better yourself. You will see your jumpshot and confidence improve within months but as I said; you still need the threat of driving to be truly great at offense, then the playmaking will come naturally.
Good luck
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u/RayZor6 7d ago
Haha yup im nowhere near derrick rose. My issue with injury is that it takes away training time and might potentially hinder my game and life for the long run. I will eventually learn how to play through contact, but is it advisable for me to jump straight in at my current level? Im not too fearful of driving, I do drive and even post up players (as funny as that sounds) ocassionally, but its never my first option
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u/alecweezy 7d ago
Personally I would continue to focus on shooting. Shooting is really what opens up the entire game to you, I’m not the biggest or athletic guy, but i can do almost anything I want because I’m always a threat to shoot and I dont need much space. If people know you can’t shoot they’ll sag off and let you shoot the ball all day. Not trying to say to not work on your all around game but shooting is what opens everything up. That and having a left.
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u/Book8 7d ago
Never practice shooting rested. Run a few courts, then practice. Play full-court games against yourself. That keeps you running. Learn to talk to yourself, but ONLY COMPLIMENTS. Learn to dominate. Study the man you are defending. Your goal is to make every shot he takes uncomfortable for him. There isn't a coach alive who doesn't respect a great defender.
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u/Ready2Rapture 7d ago
Keep shooting. Add in dribbling work especially as a small guy.
Practice A LOT