What can I do to become a better overall basketball player?

Question

I'm 6'0, 170 lbs. at the age of 14.

I'm best at rebounds and defense, but my stamina and outside shooting needs some help.

What can I do to improve all of my skills at basketball?

EDIT:

One thing that I forgot to say:

I'm right handed in anything (writing, football, etc.) except Basketball.

Basketball is the only thing that I can only do with my left hand. I cant shoot with my right hand very well.

Answer 1

To answer your question, there are plenty things that go into improving your skills. But it sounds like you could be a 2G or SF. To best bring about your talents at these position you'll need to do the following...

1. Learn to play oustanding defense, and take great pride in it. This will keep you on the floor regardless of your offensive output. Offense is for 24 or 30 seconds...Defense is for 48 minutes.

2. With understanding of great defense, your offense will strive. Knowing how to stop people defensively, will give you better knowledge on how to score against them.

3. Gifts are God given (And only a few have it) but even they can be squandered. But talents are based on working are hard, mentally and physically. Lift weights, lots of cardio work. How hard you work off the court will give you success on it.

4. Study your opponents even in a pick up games. Study strengths & weaknesses. If you know these things prior to playing they'll help you greatly. Knowledge is power.

For example...a young man like yourself was wondering the same thing, so he was told to study his opponents...he watched the guy he was to guard and saw that he had no left hand. He defended him in a way that made him use his left hand...his opponent scored only 6 points. And most importantly his team won due to his great defense.

Coincidentally, this guy scored 13 points, 5 assists, forced 9 nine turnovers, had 3 steals, and 8 rebounds.

Today's kids believe that if you score a lot of points, you'll be successful. Anyone can score if they shoot enough. Learning and understanding great defense will take you far.

Answer 2

I agree with the poster who said you may land in the post. Especially if you keep growing. Good for you. It's a lot of fun banging around inside.

Stamina was never a strong suit for me, being a big man and having asthma both. But it isn't undoable. Best bet is to play and run hard. I used to play a lot of summertime pick up ball in the 90 degree TN heat on a blacktop court and during the years I played most it paid off to be able to handle that kind of sweating!

Really focus on a repetoire of post moves. The furthest outside I'd ever shoot was a play that (to explain it simply) would have me pop out of the post to either side of the free throw line for a short range jumper. The best shot to get into your bag of tricks, if you ask me, is a nice hook shot. HARD to defend those!

Good luck, man. Hope you go out for some HS ball when you get to that point.

Answer 3

Seeing as how you appear to already be pretty athletic and skilled at rebounding and defense that gives you an advantage. While you should still keep practice these skills you should focus on dribbling and shooting both can be enhanced through repition. Shooting is just muscle memory and developing a feel for distance around the basket. The more you shoot the better you be at shooting. Just keep practicing and working out. Good luck.

Answer 4

practice practice practice.

The most important thing about basketball is being in good shape. You need to run sprints. As much as it sucks, that is what basketball is all about. I was 6 ft tall when I was 14-- and I was awkward b/c I had just had a growth spurt-- so my coach had me running sprints all the time to get in shape and I lifted weights for about an hour a day with my schools football team.

Its also important to condition with jumping rope, etc.

Since you are 6 ft tall at 14, you will probably wind up playing the post. Pay LOTS of attention to free throws and posting up. Work with someone on posting up. Pump fakes, one dribble moves, etc etc. Get good at shooting inside with both hands.

Regardless of your outside shooting, in the paint you need to be MONEY.

Get in shape. Work with a coach on developing a nice shot (helpful for free throws) and with time you will be able to move your shot further and further out... however at your age as long as you shoot decently from about 15 ft. (mid-range) and hit a high percentage from the paint, you'll be doing good.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

work, work, and work.

Shoot a lot of threes, from different spots, while moving at game speed. Remember to focus on your mechanics while doing so...

For stamina, just work out. Try to run at a fast speed without stopping for as long as you can. Ramp up, start going full sprint speed for 15 seconds, then 30, 1 minute, and so on

Answer 6

Practice both right and left hand. dribble all over your legs. You need a good form and follow through. Practice on 9-9.5 feet to get your mommentum up then back to 10.

Answer 7

Love basketball, always be passion and participate in any basketball games as possible.

Answer 8

practice practice practice
Go to a basketball camp if possible
Get instructions on what you are doing wrong

Answer 9

whoa, dude, i'm 14 and im 5'7", 125. geez


anyway for ur question, if u can't shoot well from the outside, u can only do one thing
practice practice practice

u can lift some weights and run, that always helps

Answer 10

Practice using your left hand as well as your right hand dribbling, shooting, passing and lay ups.