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How to Get Better at Basketball

It is a game of skill, strategy, and dedication. This sport is suitable for beginners who want to get better at it and experienced players who would like to progress further in their basketball game. This guide aims to explore practical tips and strategies to help improve your basketball game. Your skill will be elevated with the coverage of both foundational and advanced techniques, thus improving the game and making you well-rounded. 

Master the Fundamentals 

The basis of how to get better at basketball is that players need to start with mastering the basics. Flashy moves and three-pointers seem interesting, but these are the fundamental skills that make all the difference in your game. Key things to focus on include: 

  • Dribbling 

Dribbling is one of the fundamental basketball skills. For practicing dribbling with both hands, keep the ball low and close to your body as much as possible at all times. One great way to develop dribbling skills is through daily drills on control, speed, and changes in direction without losing possession. 

  • Shooting 

Shooting, both in form and accuracy, needs to be proper. You are working on free throws, mid-range shots, or three-pointers; your stance, grip, and follow-through are very basic requirements. A consistent shooting form, therefore, will bring more points during the game. One can set up a daily shooting routine for practicing different types of shots. 

  • Passing 

Passing might be one of the last things that people remember when they talk about playing basketball, but it is an essential part of playing the game. Passes are what keep the ball in your hands and get you the points on the board. Practice with a partner or against a wall doing chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passes. 

This will be a good foundation for all the more complex skills that will be developed. 

Develop Your Basketball IQ 

Being successful in basketball is more than just physical ability; you have to know the game inside and out. Your “Basketball IQ” speaks to how much you know the game, your decision making on the court, and your ability to see through plays. 

  • Study the Game 

Watch professional games and analyze how players move, pass, and position themselves. Learn from their strategies and techniques to enhance your own understanding. Pay attention to different defensive and offensive plays and how teams react under pressure. 

  • Play Regularly 

Some of the easiest ways to become pretty good at basketball are just by playing regularly. You may get registered in any league, play pick-up games with your friends, or practice shootouts with your friends. The more you practice, the better you will understand the flow of the game. You’re going to predict your opponent’s moves more accurately and react right when you need to. 

Improve Your Physical Fitness 

Basketball is a very demanding game, which requires some muscles, agility, and endurance. In addition to that, you should also have some tips on how to get better at basketball up your sleeves. The more muscular someone is generally the more likely they’ll be good at basketball. 

  • Strength Training 

Think about how you can build more muscle strength in terms of building stronger legs, core, and upper body muscles. If your lower body strength is stronger, you will be able to jump higher, and quicker movements will come more naturally to you. Greater core strength means balance and stability as you attempt shots or head toward the hoop for layups or other scoring plays. 

  • Cardio and Endurance 

Being a basketball athlete requires so much running, sprinting, and quick movement because the game is actually fast. In this case, cardio exercises should always be included in the routine. Running, cycling, or interval training may be needed to build up the stamina to sustain that strong endurance during the period of the game. 

  • Flexibility and Agility 

Being agile on the court is essential for both offense and defense. Practice drills that improve your lateral movement, reaction time, and flexibility. Agility ladders, cone drills, and stretching exercises can all enhance your movement on the court. 

  • Practice Shooting Under Pressure 

In a basketball game, you’ll often find yourself needing to make critical shots under pressure. Practicing in a controlled environment is helpful, but you should also practice replicating game situations. 

  • Simulate Game Conditions 

Practice shooting when you’re tired, after a sprint, or with a defender in front of you. This will help you get used to making accurate shots when you’re feeling fatigued or under pressure. The more you practice in stressful conditions, the more confident you’ll be in actual game situations. 

  • Free Throws 

Free throws can be game-changers. Focus on perfecting your free throw shooting technique. Try to incorporate a specific routine before each free throw—this helps with muscle memory and consistency, even when nerves are high. 

Play Defense with Intensity 

Defense is just as important as offense in basketball. Good defenders can change the momentum of the game by stopping their opponents from scoring. Here are some tips to become a better defender: 

  • Stay Low and Balanced 

In defending a man, you want to keep your knees bent and your weight on the balls of your feet. This will enable you to move immediately in any direction. Always watch the man you are defending and the ball. 

  • Anticipate, Don’t React 

Good defenders do not react to what their opponents are doing. Instead, good defenders anticipate their next moves by paying attention to their body language. This will place you in better positioning, as well as allow you to see any opportunities for steals or blocked shots. 

Focus on Teamwork 

Basketball is a team game, even for the best individual players. Much of their success depends on teammates’ support in winning games. Building chemistry with your team and working together is essential for success. 

  • Communicate on the Court 

Communication is key in the basketball game. Talk to your teammates during the game to alert them about screens, switches, or open players. Good communication leads to better teamwork, fewer mistakes, and more effective defense and offense. 

  • Trust Your Teammates 

Learn to trust the teammates and to play less selfishly, and everyone gets more chances to perform. Pass the ball when someone gets a better shot and work together to set up such plays. A team full of talented players might sometimes lose out to a well-tuned team. 

Set Goals and Track Progress 

It does not overnight happen, but instead, with specific goals and focused effort in place, the successful development of a basketball player can occur. Whether you want to shoot a higher percentage of shots, boost your stamina, or become a more defensive-minded player, the process of setting those measurable goals will surely keep you grounded and motivated. 

  • Create a Practice Schedule 

Create a regular practice session that perhaps involves the particular areas that involve the game, like dribbling, shooting, and defense. They can only improve in this if perhaps through practice, so in this case, practicing regularly. 

  • Monitor Your Improvement 

Keep track of your game stats, so you know how you are doing in practice. Count how many shots you make correctly, how many steals, and how long you hold out before getting tired. As you measure your progress, you will find out which areas you need improvement on and where you excel. 

Conclusion 

If you have been wondering how to get better at basketball, then it is important to grasp the basics, develop a basketball IQ, and enhance physical fitness to achieve teamwork. Practicing techniques and finding goals create a solid pathway to improvement on the court. Every player realizes what can be better about them, no matter their skill level. So just keep going, be disciplined, and enjoy the trip toward becoming the best basketball player you can be!

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triple double in basketball

Basketball is a whole vocabulary of skills and performance records associated with its players, and one of the most prized records achieved is that of a triple-double. The mastery attained in such an achievement is considered to be an extraordinary instance marked by recognition of the player’s multifaceted skills and overall excellence. So, what does a triple double in basketball? Let’s take it down and determine its meaning and significance, as well as other basketball feats, including the quadruple-double. 

What is a Triple-Double in Basketball? 

A triple-double is a game in which a player obtains ten or more points in three of the five statistical categories. Generally, players pull off triple-doubles in three areas that include: 

  • Points 
  • Assists 
  • Rebounds 
  • Steals 
  • Blocks  

A player achieves a triple-double, for example, if they score 25 points, grab 12 rebounds, and dish out 10 assists in a game. In triple-doubles, points, rebounds, and assists are typically the most frequently occurring leading items. Although this is the most common occurrence, there have been cases where the blocks and steals got into play. 

This mark depicts the person’s ability to be on the field in many aspects and with different flexibility, which makes him well-rounded and highly influential on both ends of the floor. 

Why Is A Triple-Double So Good? 

Any basketball player who achieves a triple double in basketball is well regarded for dominance in playing various aspects of the game. It indicates that they were able to impact more fields other than scoring. More visible than anything else are the points scored, but basketball is a team game, and assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals form significant contributions to winning. A triple-double means that a player can score, create chances for others, and protect the basket or gain possession. 

In simple words, a triple-double often becomes a sign of controlling the game on the field in all facets, for which it is very valuable. Among those who could easily score triple-doubles are a few of the top players in NBA history, such as Magic Johnson and LeBron James. 

Why Are They So Hard? 

The problem with trying to get a triple-double in basketball is that it takes experience in three different categories, not just one. A guy scoring ten points could be pretty easy for most NBA players to do; however, adding ten assists or rebounds- surely an even greater feat than ten blocks or steals- makes it much more difficult. 

With different positions also comes a different role, such as guards being often expected to lead in assists but may not get enough rebounds, while centers and forwards can lead in rebounding but may not accumulate as much as assisted passes. It is a player who, at least during a game, occasionally receives a triple-double, which entails the ability to do multiple tasks on the game field with endurance and versatility in addition to skill. 

What Is The Difference Between A Double-Double And A Triple-Double In Basketball? 

In basketball, a double-double is an easily attained feat of victory. However, a triple-double is still highly amazing. A double-double happens when a player scores double figures twice in a single game, scoring ten points and grabbing ten rebounds- is possible. 

For instance, a player who scores 15 points while grabbing 10 rebounds is referred to as having made a double-double. Double-doubles tend to be more frequent, especially for big men, as they normally score points and snatch rebounds. For guards, their chances of making double-doubles will be more probable through scoring points and making assists. 

A triple-double, however, calls for a more exceptional and demanding performance, as it demands much stronger performance in three categories instead of just two. 

What Is a Quadruple-Double in Basketball? 

A quadruple-double is an extension of the triple double in basketball. In this situation, in one game, the player earns double digits in four categories. You can attain some of the categories, such as points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals.

Quadruple doubles are very unusual. Only a very small number of legends, like David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon, have ever accomplished this, making true basketball history extremely rare. A quadruple-double in basketball demands a player to be extremely skilled and versatile, impacting both ends of the court. He must be able to score, pass, defend, and either block shots or steal the ball at a very high level. 

Is a Quintuple-Double Possible? 

Technically, it is possible. And none has ever done it in an official NBA game. A quintuple-double must involve five areas wherein a player attains double digits, including points, assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. 

Although there are games where a player has had near this kind of performance, the sheer task of getting double digits in five categories is almost impossible. What their peers and experts would say about witnessing a quintuple-double is simply miraculous, with basketball requiring so much physical and mental. It remains more of an assumption than a reality in modern-day hoops.  

What is a 25-Point Triple-Double? 

A 25-point triple-double refers to a triple-double where the player scores at least 25 points, with more than 10 in two other statistics. For instance, someone scores 25 points, retrieves 10 rebounds, and passes 10 assists in one game. Such a performance is particularly notable because securing 25 points demands quite an offensive pugnacity, and adding double digits in other categories further underlines how versatile the player is. 

Such players who score 25-point triple-doubles normally form the nucleus of such teams that have them, leading the team in scoring and actually other key aspects of play. Scoring 25 points to a triple-double is more than just an assessment of a player’s scoring prowess but his or her all-around brilliance. 

Conclusion 

Basketball achievements include the quintessentially glorious triple-double, where a player excels in multiple aspects of the game. A double-double is much more common, though it requires an extraordinary combination of talents to be able to say that one has attained a triple double in basketball. Even beyond this great achievement, the quadruple-double in basketball or the nearly theoretical quintuple-double pushes the envelopes of what one can do in this sport.

Players who routinely record triple-doubles are typically adaptable and have an impact on both the offensive and defensive lines. Whether it is a difficult quadruple-double or a 25-point triple-double, the feats serve as a constant reminder of the extraordinary athleticism and talent that characterizes the sport at its greatest.

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Is Basketball the Number 1 Sport

Basketball happens to be one of the most loved sports on the face of the earth, with millions of fans all over the world. This is because the game is fast-running, exciting, and also accessible. Players and fans across the globe enjoy the sport. But is basketball the number 1 sport in the world? This article takes a look into the different areas of the sport, comparing them against other sports, and examines its history to explain why it has captured the hearts of many. 

Is Basketball a Hard Sport? 

Basketball is often considered a very challenging sport, as it requires physical endurance, skill, and strategic thinking. “One needs to be quick, fast, and have excellent hand-eye coordination. Dribbling, shooting, passing, and guarding require very high levels of expertise. Also, the pace of the game is unremitting as players move up and down the court in virtually continuous motion. The physical and mental intensity of basketball, therefore, makes it an extremely demanding sport but a very rewarding sport to master. 

Which is the World’s No. 1 Sport? 

Soccer, or football as most of the world refers to the sport, is easily the world’s number one sport when it comes to popularity around the world. With literally billions of fans, especially in Europe, Africa, and South America, no other sport compares to soccer at all in its reach. In fact, it is the most-watched and most-played game in the world.  

Though it is indeed a popular sport, with an incredible following from the United States, China, and the Philippines, for example, it will always be second to soccer in terms of international audience and viewership. Therefore, when the question, “Is basketball the number 1 sport?” is asked, one should clarify that on an international level, soccer remains the #1 sport. 

Who Invented Basketball? 

Basketball was invented in December of 1891 by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor. Naismith developed the game as a way to keep his students active during the cold winter months. He nailed a peach basket onto a 10-foot elevated track and utilized a soccer ball as the first basketball.  

The simplicity of the original concept catapulted the game to catch on so rapidly and finally evolve into the fast-paced, high-scoring sport we know today. The establishment of basketball is one of the most important moments in sports history, establishing what would become one of the most popular sports in the world. 

Why is Basketball So Popular? 

Several factors contribute to the popularity of basketball. First, this sport requires minimal equipment—just a ball and a hoop—making it accessible to individuals from all socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, basketball features a fast-paced, high-scoring format that captivates audiences, with many games being decided in their final moments.

There is also major cultural relevance with this particular team sport, especially in the United States, being very closely aligned with music, fashion, and urban life. The emergence of the NBA, too, has played a crucial role in the popularization of basketball all over the world, building it as one of the major sporting cultures around the world. That is an added feature to the popularity of basketball, as the history of the NBA has long produced on-and-off-court legends. 

Is Basketball a Nice Sport? 

It’s a sport rather than a game. It takes teamwork, discipline, and hard work to play professionally or casually. The camaraderie built among teammates, the excitement of competition, and even the feeling of getting better at the sport itself are just some of the elements that make basketball such a “nice” sport. More importantly, it gets them physically healthy, so it has a positive influence on those playing the sport. 

Is Soccer or Basketball More Popular? 

As stated earlier, soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Its following is just so huge that it overshadows even basketball. While there is still a margin, basketball has become incredibly popular on an international scale, especially over the past several decades.  

The NBA actively reaches out globally by playing regular season games and hosting events, which has attracted a significant following for basketball outside of the United States. Soccer remains the most popular sport compared to other sports; however, basketball manages to inch its way into one of the top positions globally, more so in the U.S., Canada, and parts of Asia. 

Is Basketball an Old Sport? 

Compared with other sports, basketball is relatively young. Soccer and baseball are just a couple of examples. Invented in 1891, basketball has existed for a little over a hundred years. In that short time, it has grown exponentially to become one of the most played and watched sports around the world. It’s also been furthered and professionalized with regard to the NBA, which was instituted in 1946. All these have contributed to making the game an international phenomenon. 

Which Sport is Most Popular in the World in 2024? 

In 2024, soccer will still be the most popular sport in the world. The FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and other major events that happen within the sport have billions of viewers from different corners of the world. While basketball, with the base of the NBA and its stars, keeps growing in popularity, it isn’t on the level of soccer as far as worldwide reach goes. The answer to the question “Is basketball the number 1 sport?” still does not consider international data. 

Why is Basketball Fun to Play? 

Basketball is fun to play due to many reasons. The fast action of the game requires all players’ alertness because there are very few dead times, unlike a lot of other games. Also, the physical excitement of running, jumping, and maneuvering on the court is gratifying, as one does not get to work out skills like dribbling and shooting.  

Also, the aspect of teamwork in basketball adds to the sense of belonging and good comradeship among players. From casual games at the park to competitive matches in a league, basketball combines physical activity, strategy, and social interaction in a unique blend that tends to make it many people’s favorite sport. 

Conclusion 

So, is Basketball #1? Basketball undoubtedly ranks among the most popular and fast-paced sports in the world; however, it has not yet claimed the top position globally. Soccer has retained its position as the first in the world in viewership and viewership. Still, with the rate at which basketball is spreading, facilitated to a great level by the NBA, basketball will surely see its ranking rise anytime soon.  

The history of the NBA has shown that basketball could fly even higher in the future. Whether it’s globally number one or not, basketball will be remembered by millions because it is one hell of a tough, entertaining, and very lively sport. 

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These shirts are perfect for showing off your team spirit or just enjoying a comfortable day out. Whether you’re looking to outfit your team or want to showcase your support, our range of polo shirts is the perfect choice. Order now to customize your own polo shirt and elevate your basketball experience. Get a quote today for bulk orders and personalized designs!

There’s no shortage of celebrities that are fond of this amazing game. In fact, some of the Greatest Basketball Players are often cited as role models by these stars, who may not be well-known for their own skills on the court. While none of the following 10 individuals are best known for their time on the basketball court, each one does in fact have mad ball handling skills.

Here’s a list of A-listers who you may or may not know play basketball.

1. Chris Brown

Chris Brown -Greatest Basketball Players

Chris Brown is one of the greatest basketball players has often been spotted playing basketball, be it a friendly match against his bodyguard or working up a sweat in a celebrity basketball game hosted by Ludacris.

2. Justin Bieber

justin bieber - image credits xposurephotos.com

Justin Bieber is known to be able to shoot hoops. The good-boy-gone-bad-gone-good-boy-again frequently uploads videos of himself hitting hoops, and was also spotted shooting some hoops at Kanye West’s birthday party.

3. Snoop Dog

Apart from being a good student back in college (yes), Snoop Dog was a member of the basketball team at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and was even recruited by several colleges. So it really comes as no surprise that this rapper is good on court, and hosted several basketball games.

4. John Mayer

john mayer Greatest Basketball Players

All about treating his body like a wonderland, it comes as no surprise that John Mayer has taken to basketball as a regular form of staying fit.

5. Kevin Heart

This actor/comedian from Philadelphia might be on the petite side (5’4″), but Kevin Hart has skills on the court. Hart was even appointed to coach this year’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

6. Will Smith

will smith Greatest Basketball Players

Will Smith’s time as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air featured the actor scoring major points on screen. In more recent news, Will Smith is investing in his hometown by purchasing a share of the 76ers NBA team.

7. Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake Greatest Basketball Players

Proof of Justin Timberlake’s love for the game is simple: a boldly-coloured, NBA-sized court built at home, complete with regulation markings. Apart from shooting hoops himself, the former N’Sync star has planned several charity basketball games in the past, and is even a minority owner of his hometown Memphis Grizzlies.

8. Nelly

nelly image professional baseball player

Nelly was a gifted athlete in every sport he played, including basketball. As a matter of fact, he was even pursuing a professional baseball career before his music career took off.

9. Prince

Greatest Basketball Players

Prince will forever be remembered for his incredible music, dance moves, intensely cool personality – and basketball. Prince played for Bryant Junior High and Central High. In fact, he was a member of one of the school’s best-ever teams.

10. President Obama

The head honcho of the USA played varsity sports, basketball included, when he was a student at Punahou High School in Hawaii. Playing frequently on the FBI’s basketball court or during certain public appearances, President Obama is know to make time for his favorite sport of more than 30 years.

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2018 Commonwealth Games

Developed in the late 19th century, basketball has quickly become one of the world’s most popular sports. From professional leagues in Europe to the NBA (both in the American and Australian sense), local, national, and international competitions are extremely common.

Although basketball is played at the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games remains one of the sport’s premier competitions. Some of the best teams from around the world come together to compete for the coveted gold inflatable slide for sale medal, and with world powerhouses like the USA not competing, the competition is usually much closer than a lot of other major ones.

Basketball At Past Commonwealth Games:

Although it is a worldwide sport played by most countries, basketball has only been played at the Commonwealth Games once in the past, in 2006. It was announced in 2011 that the sport would be returning for the 2018 Games, and hopefully we will see it live on into the future.

As the hosts in 2006, Australia won gold in both the men’s and women’s competitions – something they are widely tipped to do again in 2018. In the men’s competition, New Zealand took home the silver medal, while England snatched the bronze from a valiant Nigeria. In the women’s competition the results were, amazingly, the same, with the silver going to New Zealand, the bronze to England, and an honourable 4th going to Nigeria.

Who Is Playing In The 2018 Commonwealth Basketball Competition?

Eight women’s and eight men’s teams will be competing for the mantle of the Commonwealth’s best basketballing nation at the 2018 Games. The countries represented include:

Mens:

  • Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, and Scotland, all for the second time, along with Cameroon and Canada making their Games debut.

Womens:

  • Australia, England, India, Malaysia, Mozambique, and New Zealand, all for the second time, along with Jamaica and Canada making their Games debut.

The inclusion of two Canadian teams for the first time is expected to make the competition a lot more ferocious, as they are among the highest ranked teams in the world.  

When Is The Basketball Competition At The 2018 Games?

The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games basketball competition runs over an eleven day period from the 5th of April until the 15th. The men’s competition finishes on the 15th, while the women’s finishes a day earlier, on the 14th. The full schedule is as follows:

Mens:

Pool matches will be played from the 5th until the 9th of April, with the qualifying finals on the 10th. The semi-final will take place on the 14th, with both the gold and bronze medal matches happening on the 15th.

Womens:

The women’s competition is very similar to the men’s. Pool matches will also be played from the 5th until the 9th of April, with qualifying finals on the 10th. The difference lies in the final round, with semi-finals taking place on the 13th, rather than the 14th, and the gold and bronze medal matches being played on the 14th.

If you would like to see the full 2018 Commonwealth Games basketball schedule, head over the official Games website.

Where Is Basketball Played At The 2018 Games?

The 2018 Commonwealth Games basketball tournament will be played in three different cities. Preliminary rounds will be played at the Cairns convention center in Cairns, and at the Townsville Exhibition and Convention center in Townsville. These venues both seat 5000 people, so there is plenty of room for spectators.

Finals will take place on the Gold Coast itself, with all finals matches being played at the 5000 seat capacity Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center. If you would like to buy tickets to and of the tournament’s games, head over to the official website here.

Where Can I Get My Tickets?

Tickets to the 2018 Commonwealth Games basketball competition can be purchased either through the official Games website, or externally through a third party retailer. Prices start at just $15 per person for children. Adult tickets will set you back a mere $30 per person – an extremely affordable price for a major international basketball tournament.

It is worth noting that there is no reason to buy tickets from third party sellers unless the venue is sold out. Don’t pay more than your tickets are worth, and make sure that the tickets you buy are legitimate.

Is It Worth Watching The Basketball At The 2018 Gold Coast Games?  

In short, yes, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games basketball competition is not to be missed by anyone who even remotely resembles a basketball fan. With some of the world’s best teams competing, the 11 days of competition will be a week and a half to remember. Expect bitter rivalries between countries like Australia, New Zealand, and England, with friendlier games between lower ranked teams.

Who Are We Tipping To Win The Medal?

As the home nation and defending Commonwealth Games champions, it would be hard to go past the two Australia teams. However, they will be facing extremely stiff competition from Canada, who is one of the world’s top ranked teams in both the men’s and the women’s game. Expect countries like England, New Zealand, and Nigeria to also come out firing, with every game being worth watching.

Final Word:

If you – like me – love watching a good game of basketball, then you would be stupid to miss the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Some of the world’s best teams are converging on Australia’s sunny Gold Coast for the event, and the atmosphere should be electric.

So, get online, buy your tickets, and turn up to the Games in your country’s colours. If you are unable to attend live games, be sure to tune into your TV to follow the progress of your team. Good luck to your country, and let the Games begin!

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Exercises For Basketball

Basketball is a complex game requiring a complex set of skills. Along with this, a high level of fitness is needed for anyone who wants to play competitive basketball, making it one of the most difficult sports to train for. Training regimes need to include skills, explosive fitness, and endurance based exercises. Unless you are a pro coach, it can be difficult to work all of this into a single training session, which is why we have created the following list of the best workouts for basketballers.

Why is basketball specific training so specific?

Unfortunately, a lot of high-level basketball players have been blessed with incredible athletic abilities. This makes it hard for the average Joe to crack into even low-grade competitive teams unless they are training smart and working hard.

First, you need to think about your skills. If you are naturally a little slower or have a little less endurance, you need to make up for it by improving your ball handling. The best way to do this is to practice. The more inflatable water slide for sale you practice things like shooting, dribbling, or even passing, the better you will get at them. Remember, practice doesn’t make perfect – perfect practice makes perfect. Always train the way you want to play, and don’t let yourself fall into bad habits while practicing.

You can also improve your basketball related fitness levels if you are willing to work hard and out in the hours. Although a lot of people are too lazy to train hard enough to become a high level basketballer, you will find that putting in the hours really does help. Before increasing your training load you may have been an average player, but after a lot of basketball specific fitness training you will probably find yourself cracking into the best players most games – try it and see!

So, without further ado, here are our favourite basketball specific workouts and exercises. Try and include a few of these in your training program every week for maximum improvement!

1. Romanian Deadlifts

Sure, this might sound like a bit of a strange exercise, but it is an extremely important and useful one when it comes to basketball training. The Romanian Deadlift will help you be able to jump higher, move more explosively, and will also reduce your risk of injury by strengthening your leg muscles.

How do I do it?

The Romanian Deadlift is actually a very simple exercise which anyone with access to a few weights can do. Start with your feet spread a shoulder width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your back straight, squat as low as you can, lowering the dumbbells towards the ground. When you have gone down as far as possible, contract your leg muscles explosively and return to standing position as quick as you can. Use a weight which allows you to comfortably do ten reps per set, and at least three to four sets. The key here is not to lift as heavy as you can, but to train your muscles to be more explosive.

2. Pullups

Although simple, pullups are a great exercise when it comes to basketball specific training. They can be used to strengthen almost the entire upper body, and are a quick, simple exercise to do at home. Doing pullups will help you achieve the full extension that is required to make an effective jumpshot.

How to do it?

Pullups are extremely simple. Basically, you need to find a bar which supports your body weight (you can actually buy simple ones which hang from the door frames in your home). Begin by hanging from the bar with your arms extended. Your hand can face forwards or backwards, but it can be a good idea to vary your grip between sets. Pull yourself up from the hanging position until your chin is at the level of the bar. Immediately lower yourself, making sure that you extend your arms fully between each rep. Failing to do so will reduce the effectiveness of the exercise.

3. Suicide Sprints

Best done in a team environment – such as during or at the end of training – suicide sprints are a great way to improve both your explosive fitness and your longer term endurance. They will leave you perfectly equipped to be able to run out your next basketball game right until the last minute.

How to do it?

Suicide sprints are actually very simple. Participants line up along the baseline of the court. They then sprint to the other baseline, touch it, turn, and sprint back. When they get back they immediately turn again and sprint to the three-quarter line, touch it, and then sprint back. This is repeated with the halfway line and the quarter court line. Once they have reached the baseline after the quarter court line, they then turn and repeat the same thing in reverse, finishing with a sprint from baseline to baseline and back. It is up to you how many suicide sprints you do, but completing five to ten over the course of a training session will do wonders for your fitness.

4. Simple Skills Training

The usefulness of simple skills training can’t be underestimated. Practising regularly can help you get a better touch for the ball, can help improve your control and accuracy, and can definitely make you a better allround basketballer.

How to do it?

Basically, grab a ball, find somewhere with a hard surface or a ring, and get practising. Throw free throws for half an hour. Grab a mate and practice passing to each other. Grab a ball and dribble up and down the court. Simple things like this might not seem like a lot, but they will always help you improve. Remember – “perfect practice makes perfect”.

So Do You Really Want To Be The Best Basketballer You Can?

If so, then make sure that you include these exercises into your regular training program. Note that they are not extremely useful on their own, but that they can help you improve faster when they are added to your training sessions. Get out there, have some fun, and improve your game out of sight this season!

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team building

Team building and team building exercises are extremely important for any team sport. They help bring players closer together, help players understand each other and can improve the overall performance of the team. Unfortunately, a lot of amaetur coaches and teams underestimate the importance of team building exercises, instead focusing purely on skills and fitness based training. While this can work in some cases, it is usually best to approach training with a balanced approach which includes some sort of team building.

Why is team building so important?

There are many reasons why you should include some sort of team building drills in your basketball training program. Most of these are centered around improving the performance of a basketball team as a whole, rather than making any single player better. Some reasons why team building exercises are extremely important include:

A team of weak players working together will usually beat a team of strong players who don’t:

This sort of thinking is hammered into young basketball players from the first training session that they take part in. Junior coaches tend to encourage young players by telling them that it doesn’t matter how skilled they are, but rather how good they are at playing for the team. As players grow up they soon realise for themselves that weak players who work together as a team are often able to beat strong players who play for their own glory – this is the essence of teamwork.

Unfortunately, a lot of people who join a team sport when they are a bit older don’t seem to realise how important it is to work as a team. They focus on improving their own skills and fitness, but won’t necessarily work on fitting into the team. This can be detrimental to both their own and the team’s performance.

Team building exercises can help create fluency on the court:

The best basketball teams seem to move with impossible fluency. Every player seems to know exactly where their teammates are, how they are going to move, and what the limit of their skills is. This is a result of team building exercises.

Once you really know your fellow teammates you will find that it becomes much, much easier to work together. As a coach you will notice little connections begin to develop between players – connections which make them work better together on the court. It is your role to grow these connections until you have a team of players who completely understand each other and the way they play. If you can do this, you will have a lot of success, no matter what league you are in.

Team building will bring weaker players up to the level of the team:

One major problem when it comes to playing basketball in a team is dealing with very weak players or with players who haven’t played before. While it can be tempting to simply put them on the bench for a while until they get up to speed – or at least to give them game time when the result isn’t in the balance – it is important to do whatever you can to develop these players.

Engaging in team building activities will help bring the skill level of weaker players up. It will help to even out the performance of the team as a whole. Everyone will understand better how the other players on the team perform in certain situations, and will be able to adjust accordingly.

Simple team building activities to strengthen your basketball team:

There are many, many different team building activities out there that you can use with any team sport. However, some are more appropriate to basketball than others. They will help you build your team up to be as good as it can be, and should be included in your training program regularly. Some of our favourite basketball team building exercises include:

A pre-season camp:

If you are playing in any sort of serious competition, then you need to do a lot of pre-season training to make sure that your team is prepped for the first game of the season. One of the best things that you can do is plan some sort of pre-season camp.

Make sure that all team members attend, and that they participate in whatever activities you plan for them. Try and include a lot of things which will improve both the skills of your players and their ability to work together. Make them complete tasks which require a lot of teamwork, and offer prizes for the groups which work together the best. Most importantly, encourage all of the players to engage with and get along with all the others. This will make sure that your team is a close-knit and friendly with each other as possible.

Team passing:

This is a relatively simple exercise which is suited to teams of inexperienced players who don’t know each other. It is a great way to get players to engage with the team, to learn their teammates names, and to

Simple put all of the players on the team in a circle with a basketball. The player who starts with the ball passes to another player, while calling the name of the person they pass to. Make sure that they vary who they are passing to, and introduce some sort of penalty for calling the wrong name (for example, push-ups or a suicide sprint).

Blindfold maze:

This is a very good activity to encourage trust between players. First, you need to set up some sort of obstacle course that a blindfolded player would be able to make their way through. Choose one player to be blindfolded, and have the rest stand by. The blindfolded player must make their way through the course by listening to the advice of their teammates.

Final Word:

Team building is absolutely vital when it comes to developing a successful basketball team. Team building activities are usually simple and straightforward to do, and they can have a huge impact on the success of your team. Try a few today and see how much of a difference they make!

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NBA history

The NBA (National Basketball Association) is arguably the world’s premier basketball league. It is located in the United States of America, and attracts the best players from around the world. Although leagues throughout Europe and Asia are growing, none of these come close to the NBA in terms of sheer size, popularity, and the amount of money involved.

The NBA is also one of the world’s oldest professional basketball leagues. It was founded in 1946, and has grown from strength to strength in the inflatable games for sale decades since. The NBA has a rich and varied history – one that would take hours to explain fully – which will be looked at in brief in the following article.

From humble beginnings:

The NBA was founded on the 6th of June 1946 in New York City. It was originally called the Basketball Association of America (BAA), but this name was changed after just a few years. In 1949, the BAA merged with the existing National Basketball League (NBL) to create the modern day NBA.

Although the structure and size of the NBA has evolved over the years, it’s current existence can be traced back to this merger, which occurred on the 3rd of August 1949 – about 68 years ago.

The NBL:

The National Basketball League, or the NBL, was created in 1937 by three major corporations – General Electric, Firestone, and Goodyear. The league originally had 13 teams, mostly coming from the Great Lakes region of America. Significant development and growth occurred over the next 12 years, before the NBL merged with the BAA to create the modern NBA.

Three current NBA teams can be traced back to the NBL. The Detroit Pistons were originally known as the Fort Wayner Zolloner Pistons. The Los Angeles Lakers have their roots with the Detroit Games, and the Sacramento Kings were originally knon as the Rochester Royals.

The first game in NBA history:

The 1st of November 1946 was an extremely important day when it comes to the history of the NBA. The first ever NBA game was played on this day (Although the league was known as the BAA) between the Toronto Huskies and the New York Knickerbockers. The Knickerbocker’s Ossie Schectman made the first basket in the league’s history.

The original NBA:

As noted above, the NBA was officially formed in 1949, with roots in the NBL and the BAA. The original 1949 league had just 17 teams. These came from a variety of different cities in the region. This number slowly dwindled over the following years, dropping to just 11 teams in 1950 and eight for the 1953-1954 season – the lowest number in the history of the game.

These eight teams are all present in the modern NBA, and include the Boston Celtics, the Fort Wayne Pistons, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, the Rochester Royals, the Minneapolis Lakers, the New York Knicks, the Syracuse Nationals, and the Philadelphia Warriors. It is important to note that some of these teams have different names in the modern competition.

The introduction of the 24 second shot clock in 1954 did a lot for the games appeal. Prior to this, teams would simply hold onto the ball and play a possession game – something which wasn’t really appreciated by the fans. Under the new rule, teams had just 24 seconds to attempt a shot once they had possession of the ball. This sped the game up and caused a dramatic increase in spectator numbers, allowing the NBA to grow to what it is today.

NBA dynasties:

NBA dynasties haven’t been common, but there have been a few, mainly in the early years of the competition. These include:

  • The Minneapolis Lakers 5 championships in the early 1950’s.
  • The Boston Celtic’s 11 championships in 13 years between 1957 and 1969 – including eight straight between 1959 and 1966.
  • The Los Angeles Lakers with 5 championships in 9 years from 1980 to 1988.
  • The Chicago Bulls with 6 wins in 1991-1993 and 1996-1998.

The last three championships have been contested by the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Warriors winning in 2015 and 2017, and the Cavaliers winning in 2017. Could this mark the start of a new dynasty for one of these teams?

Expansion:

In 1961, the Chicago Packers joined the NBA to become the competition’s 9th team, a move which marked the beginning of expansion. By 1968 the competition had surged to 14 teams, with 18 by 1974. Currently (as of 2017) there are 30 teams in the NBA. 29 of these teams are based in the USA, with the Canadian Toronto Raptors the only non US team in the league.

The most successful NBA teams:

The Boston Celtics (17 wins from 21 championship appearances) and the Los Angeles Lakers (formerly the Minneapolis Lakers, 16 wins from 31 championships) have been by far the most successful teams in the history of the NBA. Other notable teams include the Chicago Bulls with 6 wins, the Golden State Warriors with 5 wins, and the San Antonio Spurs with 5 wins.

What does the NBA look like today?

The modern NBA is much, much different to the original competition. The season commences in late September with training camps and pre-season training. These are followed by preseason practice matches.

Following the practice matches, the regular season kicks off in the last week of October. Each team plays 82 games – split equally between home and away fixtures –  across a fast past, strenuous regular season. The NBA All-Star game takes place in February, in which the best players from each conference go head to head in an exhibition match. The regular season generally ends around the middle of April.

In late April, the NBA playoffs begin. The top eight teams in each conference compete for the league championship. The playoffs take place in an elimination format, with each team playing their designated up to seven times, aiming to win four games. The team which wins four games advances to the next round of the playoffs, while the loser is eliminated.

The last two teams standing (one from each conference) will face off in the NBA Finals. This series is also best of seven games, and is held in June. The NBA Finals are undoubtedly one of the biggest events on the American – and world – sporting calendar, and should remain so for years to come.

As for the NBA, it has a very rich history, which is why people still enjoy watching basketball games today. Cordial supporters never miss an opportunity to demonstrate their devotion and team support, and wearing fashionable and comfortable polo shirts during games is a great way to do this. A good polo shirt can be quite stylish if you are a fan of a particular team and follow the game religiously or if you are a casual sports lover who likes to watch the games occasionally. Due to the numerous NBA teams available, you will be able to find a team with your preferred players.

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history of basketball

Basketball was invented in America at the end of the 19th century, making it a relatively old sport on a world scale. It quickly spread around the world to become popular in many different countries, and has grown to become one of the world’s most played sports. The history of basketball varies according to the country that you are in, and can be extremely varied and colourful.

Australia is one of the countries which has adopted basketball as a major sport. Although national teams haven’t performed well historically, a recent surge in funding and interest saw the Australian men’s Boomers finish fourth at the most recent Olympic games in Brazil. The history of Australian basketball is both varied and interesting, and needs to be looked at to gain a full understanding of the sport in its modern form.

From Humble Beginnings

Basketball spread to Australia in 1897, just six years after the sport was invented. The first recorded game was between OBI (Our Boys Institute) and YMCA toddler bouncy castle for sale on the 17th of February, 1897. The game took place in South Australia, and paved the way for the future.

Early basketball development in Australia too place in Adelaide and its surrounding suburbs, unlike most sports which developed in Melbourne. However, the sport quickly spread across the country, with courts and basketball hoops popping up in even the smallest country towns. Basketball became a way for AFL players to keep fit over the summer months, and shooting a few hoops became a popular pastime.

While women’s basketball wasn’t developed until later in the 20th century – most women of the time played netball – the sport is now extremely popular among both men and women across Australia. Good things can come from humble beginnings!

The Formation Of National Associations

Unfortunately, the early part of the 20th century didn’t see lot of basketball development in Australia. Compounding factors such as the two World Wars and the Great Depression reduced the impact of the sport (and indeed, of most sports) and prevented it from really growing until the 1930s.

The Victorian Basketball Association was formed in 1931, paving the way for the large scale expansion of basketball across Australia. The NSW basketball association followed soon after, signalling the beginning of basketball expansion.

In 1939, the first national governing body for Australian basketball was created in the form of the Amateur Basketball Union of Australia (ABU). Unfortunately, the ABU was a national union in name only, with representatives from NSW and Victoria. Over the years other states were added to the union, and the name was changed to the Australian Basketball Federation – which it remains to this day.

Early Competitions

Early Australian basketball competitions were scarce until the 1930’s. The development of various state and national governing bodies saw the commencement of various competitions, many of which exist to this day. To begin with, most of these competitions were played at a local level. However, state competitions and, eventually, a national competition were to be developed over the coming years.

National Men’s Championships began in 1946. The first tournament was played in Sydney, and saw NSW defeat Victoria for the title. The first Women’s National Championships took place in 1955, with South Australia coming out comprehensive victors over NSW.

In 1948 Australia joined the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). They were the 52nd country to do so, and this gave the national teams access to many international competitions and tournaments.

The Development of Women’s Basketball

Basketball was originally designed to be a men’s sport. It was thought that women couldn’t cope with both the physical demands and the dress requirements of the sport, and they were therefore discouraged to play. Many women turned to netball, which was aptly named ‘women’s basketball’ for the early part of the 20th century. This naming causes some confusion when it comes to the early history of women playing basketball in Australia.

The history of women’s basketball in Australia is somewhat cloudy. Early records are scarce, and it is likely that women have been playing the game for almost as long as men. The first recorded national Australian women’s basketball team was in 1957. The Australian Opals competed in the second version of the FIBA world championships, which was held in Brazil, and ended up finishing in 10th position with wins over Cuba and Peru.

The first national basketball competition for women was formed in 1981. It was named the Women’s National Basketball League, and has grown from strength to strength since its inception. Six teams from across the country competed in the inaugural season, and this number has since risen to eight.

Modern History

Modern Australian basketball is currently going from strength to strength. It has begun to compete with major sports like AFL and soccer, and in some cases is even taking players away from these sports. It numbers among the top few sports in terms of participation, and looks like it is going to continue growing over the near future.

The Australian Boomers recently recorded their best ever Olympic Games finish, narrowly losing the bronze medal match to finish fourth. Many Australian players are now playing in the NBA and in major European competitions, which bodes well for the future of Australian basketball.

There are also positives on the women’s side of Australian basketball. The WNBL recently signed a new deal which will see it televised for the first time in over two years, and the Opals appear to be developing into a powerful team on the world stage. Although things like AFLW are drawing players away from women’s basketball in Australia, we can still expect participation rates to rise over the coming years.

Basketball in Australia has a long and varied history. It started out small, and never really caught hold until the mid 20th century. However, it has skyrocketed in popularity since then to become one of Australia’s most popular sports for both men and women.

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wheelchair basketball

Although we can’t yet compete with world heavyweights America, Australia’s basketball prowess is growing. Proof of this is in the fact that NBA recruiters are continually looking to Australian players to draft – many of which have gone on to become superstars in recent years.

However, what people don’t realise is that Australia also has a large presence on the world wheelchair basketball scene. They have fielded a team in every Paralympic games since 1968, and have regularly finished high in the standings. In the last 6 Paralympic games, the Australian men’s team has performed exceptionally well, taking home two gold and two silver medals.

What is wheelchair basketball?

Wheelchair basketball is a sport played by people with various physical disabilities which prevent them from playing regular sports. Most of these people have difficulty or are unable to walk, which leads to the sport being played in wheelchairs. It’s rules and regulations are governed worldwide by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), which ensures fair play and that people with unfair advantages or without disability don’t take part in high level events.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 people play wheelchair basketball across the world. This number is made up of players from the 82 countries with National Organisations for Wheelchair Basketball. People of all skill levels and from all walks of inflatable park for sale life take part in the sport, with competition levels ranging from recreational and social games to professional leagues. In some countries, including Australia, non-disabled athletes are allowed to use wheelchairs to compete alongside their disabled counterparts in lower level competitions.

Wheelchair basketball has many of the same rules and principles as standard basketball, but there are some key differences. Some of the modified rules include:

  • A travel is defined as when a player touches their wheels more than twice after receiving or dribbling the ball.
  • Some fouls are different to standard basketball, including hooking (hooking someone’s chair and causing them to lose control) and lifting (lifting your chair while in possession of the ball).

However, it is important to note that things such as court size and the height of the net remain unchanged.

Wheelchair basketball in Australia:

Wheelchair basketball is notable due to the fact that it is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and the fastest growing for athletes with a disability. Australia boasts a lot of international success in the sport, and is definitely one of the world leaders. The National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) is Australia’s premier competition for wheelchair basketballers.

The National Wheelchair Basketball League:

The National Wheelchair Basketball League, or the NWBL, is Australia’s top-level men’s wheelchair basketball competition. It is composed of players from across Australia who compete for the title during an 18 game season. There are currently six teams in the league from five states, with games played across the country. The 2016 champions were the Be Active Perth Wheelcats.

The Women‘s National Wheelchair Basketball League is very similar to the NWBL. It is also played Australia wide, with five teams coming together for a 16 game competition played across the country. The most recent WNWBL champions are also from WA, with the Be Active Western Stars winning the 2016 competition.

The Australian Rollers:

The Rollers are currently one of the world’s top male wheelchair basketball teams. The have performed extremely well in international competitions since the mid 1990’s. Their most notable performance was the gold medal in the 1996 Paralympic Games, which were held in the USA.

As well as this, the Rollers also won gold in 2008, backed up with the silver medal in 2004 and 2012. They fell away a little in 2016, finishing 6th. However, they still recorded 5 wins and just 2 losses. They have also performed very well at recent World Championships, finishing 3rd in 2006 and winning the gold medal in 2010 and 2014.

The Australian Gliders:

The Gliders are Australia’s premier women’s wheelchair basketball team. They represent Australia in all international competitions, and have done since the early 1990’s. Since the year 2000 the Gliders have had a mixed run at the Paralympic games. They won the silver medal in 2000, 2004, and 2012, along with the bronze medal in 2008. However, they failed to qualify for the 2016 games after finishing 6th at the 2014 world championships.

The Gliders have traditionally done ok at the world championships. They competed for the first time in 1994, coming away with the bronze medal. They backed this up with two more 3rd place finishes in 1998 and 2002, but slowly dropped away after that to finish 4th in 2006 and 2010 and 6th in 2014.

Playing Wheelchair Basketball:

If you are interested in playing wheelchair basketball, then the best thing to do is to get in touch with your local wheelchair sports association. They will be able to tell you when and where the next competitions or leagues take place. Contact details for the relevant state associations can be found here.

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