How to Improve a Basketball Game

Improving your basketball skills requires dedication and focus on the fundamentals of the game. Dribbling, passing and shooting are all areas which a basketball player must master to achieve success. When trying to improve your basketball game, practice drills which isolate these skills. Whether you are a youth, high school, collegiate or even a pro player, honing your fundamental skills will give you an edge the next time you lace up your high-tops and take the court.

Instructions

  1. Dribbling

    • 1

      Learn how to dribble the basketball equally well with both hands. Practice dribbling down the court using just your right hand. Next, dribble back using your left hand. Focus on controlling the basketball while pushing it up the court. The basketball should never feel too close or too far from you. Continue to practice this drill until you have mastered it.

    • 2

      Practice the cross-over dribble. Crossing the ball occurs when a player switches the ball from one hand to the other while dribbling. Dribble down the court crossing the ball over after each dribble. The pattern is "left-right, left-right, left-right" or, if you start with the right hand, "right-left, right-left, right-left." Also keep the basketball low to the ground to protect it from being stolen during game play.

    • 3

      Practice the "figure eight" drill. Another popular basketball move is to dribble the basketball between your legs. Using your left hand, dribble the ball through your legs, where it is received by your right hand. Adjust your legs so that your right hand now dribbles the ball through your legs, where it is received by your left hand. You have now made a "figure eight." Repeat this drill until you have mastered it. Try to move faster and faster while making your figure eights.

    Passing Drills

    • 4

      Practice the chest pass with a partner. The chest pass occurs when you use two hands to push the basketball out from your chest and pass it to another player. (The ball does not touch the ground.) Stand 10 feet apart from your partner and practice making crisp chest passes squarely to the other person's chest. After you master this distance, move back farther and farther while continuing to focus on accuracy.

    • 5

      Practice the bounce-pass layup drill. A bounce pass occurs when one player bounces the ball to another player. This is an effective tool while on the fast break. Dribble the basketball from half-court toward the basketball goal. When you reach the foul line, bounce-pass it to your partner, who then shoots a layup. Focus on a crisp pass which the other player receives just before leaving his feet to make the layup.

    • 6

      Try performing the three-man weave. The three-man weave is a popular basketball drill in which three players line up at half-court, one in the center and two on the sides. The player in the center passes the basketball to the person on the right. The player in the center moves behind the player on the right, while the player on the right now moves toward the center. Without dribbling, the player now in the center passes the ball to the player on the left. The player in the center now moves behind the player on the left, as the player on the left now takes the center position. Without dribbling, the player in the center passes to the player on the right, who shoots the basketball.

    Shooting

    • 7

      Practice making layups using both hands. It sounds simple, but many players have a hand they favor. If defenders know that, they force you to attempt a layup with your weaker hand. Stand five to six feet from the backboard on the left side and practice making a layup with your left hand. Repeat this process on your right side. Next, move farther from the basket and dribble toward the hoop on the left side and make the layup. Repeat this process on the right side. This is a good way to warm up no matter what your skill level.

    • 8

      Stand on the free throw line and shoot free throws. So many times, games are won and lost from the free throw line. Those extra five or six points can make the difference. Toe the free throw line, raise your hands into your shooting position and release the ball toward the goal. Many coaches use the acronym BEEF when teaching shooting, which stands for "Balance, Eyes, Elbow and Follow Through." Apply that to your free throw shooting as you find balance when stepping to the line. Eye the basket visually. Raise your elbow as you perform your shot, and follow through with the rest of your arm so that your wrist and palm are pointed downward by the end of the motion. Practice free throws daily to improve your basketball game from the stripe.

    • 9

      Focus on the quick drop and release. When shooting the basketball, you want to be quicker than your opponent. If you can stop dribbling, drop into your shooting stance, jump and fire before a defender can get set, you have a clear shot at the basketball goal. Practice a drill that involves suddenly stopping while dribbling. Next, drop into your shooting stance. Notice that your body contracts when you start to shoot. Your knees bend, your bottom sits low and your elbows bend. Next, jump into the air. Most people use a modest jump when performing a jump shot. Use what is comfortable for you. Finally, practice a quick release at the top of your jump. Release the ball just as you hit the top of your jump in midair. Focus on making this motion both compact and quick to improve your basketball game.