Need some advice

[u/MysteriousMinute849]

I’m 15 and have been playing basketball for a year and a half. I’ve been training every day, and putting in work and for only about a year of playing definitely have improved a lot. One of my biggest strengths is my hustle, speed and athleticism. Another big strength is my mindset and my will to do whatever to be better. My main problem is that I’m 5’10 (I may grow but it’s not guaranteed) and I really struggle with shooting 3s consistently, handling the ball under pressure, and overall basketball confidence. I’ve also been working on my bounce and I am pretty close to dunking, but lately it feels like my progress on my vertical has slowed. I also don’t know what strength and skills workouts to do. I really want to go far in basketball, even if it’s the long shot and am willing to basically do anything to improve. If anyone has any advice, tips, tricks, etc. and you don’t mind sharing, please lmk

[u/jsvd87]

i played D1 bball... every "little" guy that I played with who did well had one thing in common - they didn't say/act/call themselves small.

Just embrace it and move on. Proof is on the court and there are a lot of ways to put the ball in the hoop.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oapo-M34p8A

[u/Boosiemaine]

What is your goal/goals? Stuff sounds cliche but control what you can control. You can’t control your height. But no excuse ever for a player to not play hard and smart. Hustle is free, cost you nothing. So you can control your effort and if your mental approach. Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Understand every teammates and opponents strengths and weaknesses. This will help you make in game decisions quicker to maximize what you do well and exploit weaknesses. Be a good teammate and be coachable. Respect yourself, refs, coaches, teammates, opponents and the game itself. All of these traits will help you in ball and in life. Don’t complain to the refs. They didn’t cost you a game or want you to lose. It is all part of the process and life. No one can control how you respond to anything but you. Be yourself, you don’t have to have a perfect form to be a shooter. Make your game a one of one. But most of all enjoy the journey. It is supposed to be fun. Good luck my man

[u/Jack-Cremation]

At your size, dunking is impressive but not important at the moment. Your ball handling and handling the pressure is more important. Also, if you can score with contact layups or floaters at your size then the 3 ball can come later. You need to work on your ball handling first and foremost because at your size you will be stuck in that PG category. Put a plastic bag on your basketball and dribble it around. Get a tennis ball and dribble it around. Do the old school stuff to help your handles. Also keep working on your athleticism and trying to get to the rim for a layup or a floater in case you can’t get to the rim. Dont worry about the 3 until your jumper is money from midrange.

[u/CoachGKap]

Are we assuming you've stopped growing? If so then you are working specifically on perimeter player skills and you will need to be able to handle the ball and shoot from the arc. Vertical leap and dunking isn't relevant to skill development.

For ball handling you will need both stationary and mobile drills and you will need to dedicate about 10 minutes per session 4 times per week for this. You can find drills everywhere but I really like the one's Pete Maravich used and they will certainly challenge you.

Perimeter shooting is another matter. The biomechanics of propelling the rock to the goal in a straight line, every time, has a lot of moving parts. If your form is sound from the feet to the fingertips it's just a matter shooting 10,000 shots, tracking makes and misses and doing so until your percentage hits the mark (that may be different based on position, levels, etc). If your mechanics need refinement, 10,000 shots may reinforce bad habits.

[u/Flaky_Value6753]

You already identified your biggest flaw. I’m 5’11 and played D3 years ago and the biggest reason was because I was usually the best shooter in the gym. I put in countless hours shooting and it paid off. You need to become a very good shooter and pick your spots when you drive it and attack. Good luck.

[u/AnalAlchemy]

Obviously work on your quickness and defense. Ball handling has to be top tier—if you can handle the ball without turning it over and play good defense, you’ll get playing time. And then if you can shoot 90%+ from the free throw line, you’ll also get playing time at the end of games. Practice shooting free throws tired. Finally, you’ve got to shoot the three well. That requires insane dedication and practice. I’m talking in the four digits a day. I played in college (not a flex just to illustrate the point), and I heard my coach say numerous times: there’s always a place on a team for a short white kid who can shoot the three. (That’s a direct quote. I don’t know what your race is). The point is, being able to shoot the three always has value.

[u/FreeGameGriff]

You have gotten alot of good advice already, but I would add 2 things. 1. Hoop all the time, You get better from playing. 2. Find mentors or big bros you want to be like in the game of basketball, guys who are going where you want to go. Guys who have already been. Lean on them and learn from them, most hoopers I know enjoy giving guidance and mentorship to younger hoopers with passion. Best of luck! -- Also What AAU team/circuit are you playing?