Basketball is one of the most complex sports there is. To master this
sport it takes a combination of hand eye coordination, speed, power,
agility, and most importantly the power of will. For the amateur this
sport can be very difficult to play, especially against mildly difficult
competition. I have played basketball since age four, and have also
played at the collegiate level. I have a few tips on the basic skills of
the game that the amateur can use to enhance their game.
1. Dribbling
Most amateurs want to be able to handle the ball like Allen Iverson
and "shake and bake" their opponent at will, but this skill can be
overrated. Basic dribbling skills are all that is required to be a
sufficient player. Being able to handle the ball with both hands without
it bouncing out of your control is the minimum you need for this
category of the game. Some of the greatest players in the history of
basketball, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, were not
the best ball handlers.
2. Shooting
The object of the game of basketball is to put the ball in the hoop.
In my eyes this is the most important physical skill on the court. The
greatest players in the history of this game have had the ability to
shoot the basketball, and at a very high level. While Ray Allen was not a
great ball handler he made up for that in his ability to shoot the ball
better than anybody ever has; he holds the three point shooting record
in the NBA. This skill can be taught and perfected due to it being
somewhat mechanical in nature. While someone may not be a good shooter
the skill can be acquired overtime with repetition.
3. Defense
Maybe the easiest skill to perform in a game of basketball. No
matter your skill level in the other categories, this particular
category can make up for your other inefficiencies. This skill requires
good footwork and mobility to stay in front of your opponent as well as
jumping ability to block and alter shots. Mastery of this skill will
almost guarantee you a spot on somebody's team during a pickup game,
everybody loves the person that loves to play defense.
4. Passing
Possibly the most underrated skill in the game today. Passing
requires knowledge of where your teammates are on the court and
intuition of where they will be once you make your pass. This is a tough
skill to master, many basketball experts say either you were born a
great passer or you were not. Magic Johnson, regarded as the greatest
passer of the basketball, had a ken sense of where ever person was on
the court and knew the exact spot to give them the basketball in order
for that person to achieve optimal success.
5. Mental Toughness
By far the most important skill you absolutely need to have before
stepping onto any basketball court. Basketball can be a game of trash
talking, dirty plays from opponents, and tightly played games. A strong
minded mentality is needed to endure these intangibles. The trash
talking in basketball games is quite intense and sometimes many
opponents can cross the line while doing so, the reason the do this is
to get you to react and lose you composure. I'm guilty of trash talking
my opponents on numerous occasions, it is the easiest way to make your
opponent give up and retreat from competition. By having this mental
toughness there is nothing on the court that you can not overcome.
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Labels: Tips
