How to Prepare and Practice for Basketball

Basketball is a perfect sport for young adults to learn the basics of team sports, all while getting in shape. There are many famous stories behind basketball, legends with names like Michael Jordan and “Magic” Johnson. It’s fun and basketball can get you in shape and keep you that way. In order to deal with basketball, no matter what level you are, first you must learn to prepare for basketball. The only major sport that has as much consistent running involved for one athlete is soccer. Are you ready to lose weight and gain muscle? These are the positives of preparing for basketball. So let’s go through some drills, no whistle involved, and see how you do.

Things You'll Need

• Basketball
• <br>Place to practice
• <br>Shooting partners
• <br>Good shoes for lots of running
• <br>Workout routine

Instructions

1. Play a pickup game. Face it, basketball requires you to run a lot while also jostling with other players in order to get shots and rebounds. The perfect way to prepare for this is a full court pickup game. Consider sprinting back and forth as long as possible in your first few games. Know that you will wear down, but prepare yourself by managing your strength and learning how long you can last. Your stamina will improve and you will learn exactly what you can take, how your shot will look when you are tired and more basics about the game than even a coach can teach you. Pickup games are how you become a good player. They need not be outdoors as there are plenty of indoor gyms with open courts across the country.

2. Running the suicide. This is an unfortunate word for sprinting, but it has its reasons. A suicide will play havoc on your thinking. Running is paramount in practicing for basketball, made up of short sprints all along the court. This is why a suicide is perfect for building the bursts of speed. A coach or player puts a series of 4 to 6 lines of tape on a court--one at the free throw line, one at the three point line, the half court line is the third and then continuing to the other end of the court. You sprint to each line, go back to the original line, and continue this for however many you want to get a complete workout. Prepare yourself for a basketball regimen by running 3 to 5 complete suicides twice a week. This may not turn you into Michael Jordan, but you will likely improve more than speed as your jumping ability will rise.

3. Use shooting drills. The next step is the all important shooting drill. This is not the three-point shootout from the All Star Games. Instead, you are taking all the basic shots. Often, these exercises will be done alone. You may be in the middle of football season or you are about to try out for the high school team. Put one or two large trash bins around the shooting areas you are practicing in. Many top shooters will use this drill to simulate someone guarding them, running from spot to spot, taking quick shots in front of the bins. Because in a game, someone will always be on you, it's good to learn how to take a shot while being guarded. A trash can or similar item will work perfectly.

4. Practice rebounding. Building strength is crucial for rebounding, that part of the game coaches stress more and more. Think about it like this: On average, half or more shots are missed, so someone needs to go “pick up the garbage.” To improve rebounding alone, it’s best to start following all your shots, immediately grabbing the rebound. Or if you have a few friends, get in a line, throw the basketball off the backboard, and jump and put it back up. Basically, you are grabbing the ball in the air and throwing it back against the backboard, then allowing the player behind you to do the same.

5. Develop dribbling skills. Dribbling is about developing good hand-eye coordination. If you have a talent for crossovers, breaking through tough presses and have some speed, you will be a good player. Many top players aren’t the best shooters, and even Michael Jordan had his moments, but they handle the ball well. To practice dribbling, pickup games can come into play. If you are alone, consider doing what’s called a “spider.” In a spider, you keep the ball beneath you, moving your hands behind, in front, and to the sides of your body. In short, you are keeping the ball right underneath you while moving your hands quickly around your body. This drill is used by many players, coaches, and at training camps.

Tips & Warnings

• When you work out for basketball, don't be upping your bench press. This will ruin your shot, the most important part of the game, because you will be increasing arm strength. Only work on increasing arm strength in the off-season where you can keep practicing your shots. When you are playing basketball regularly, just tone your upper body.

• Don't push yourself too far in the beginning. Ask for advice from other players on healthy ways to practice and prepare for basketball. They can encourage, but also help you practice safely.