You’ll need to put plenty of practice in to raise your basketball game. It’s thought that the average NBA player will put in around 40 hours of practice each week. Such intensive practice measures are probably beyond the reach of most amateur basketball players.
Despite this, there are still many things that you can do that can take your basketball playing to the next level. What’s best is that many of these basketball practice techniques can be done from the comfort of your own home.
This means that wintry weather conditions or even a pandemic shouldn’t stop you from becoming a better basketball player. So here’s a look at the key ways that you can raise your basketball game at home.
Get Mentally Fit for the Challenge
To play like the best, you have to be able to think like the best. This is why many top NBA teams hire sports psychologists that help the players get into the winning mentality.
Many basketball players like Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart wouldn’t be where they are today without the mental tricks necessary to power their game.
Such psychological approaches include techniques like everything from simple meditations to visualizations of landing that winning basket. Of course, you don’t have to spend thousands on hiring your own psychologist.
There are now lots of helpful online classes like the Steph Curry Masterclass. This has been created by the Golden State Warriors point guard to fix the necessary basketball skills in both your mind and muscle—all of which can be gained from the comfort of your own home.
Practicing Your Ball-Handling Indoors
Most basketball fans are fairly unlikely to have a full-size basketball court in their homes. But this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to practice your ball-handling skills indoors.
Anything from practicing some juggling to playing with a tennis ball can work wonders in improving your hand-to-eye coordination. Other classic basketball moves you can try in your own home include the likes of the "barber’s pole" and "figure eights."
So while we can’t all have a mansion with a built-in basketball court like Zach LaVine, there’s still no reason to get sloppy with your ball handling.
Working Out Through Winter
Just because it’s getting darker doesn’t mean that you can let your physical fitness go. After all, all of the best basketball stars put in plenty of time doing workouts while the NBA season was halted due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Players like the New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton spent the months away from the court doing plank exercises and sit-ups, while Boston Celtics' Semi Ojeleye mixed it up with some bodyweight work.
Plus even Los Angeles Clippers Clippers forward Patrick Patterson admitted spending plenty of hours following yoga videos on YouTube, all of which shows that there are many ways that you can improve your game while being stuck at home.
