Q&A for How to Improve at Basketball

You really want to build up your calf muscles, your quads, and your glutes so you can jump higher. Weightlifting, squats, plyometrics, sprinting, high knees, and butt kicks all can help with that.

Reverse layups take a lot of concentration, technique, and practice. Learning where the ball should hit the backboard when you take the reverse layup is the most important part and that takes practice. It is also important to learn when to do a reverse layup and not just do it for looks.

Learning the proper way to box out is the best way to improve as a rebounder. You can also learn the timing of when the ball hits the rim and how to anticipate where the ball will go after it hits the rim. It is a skill to be able to anticipate where the ball will go after it hits the rim. You also must have the will to want the ball more than everyone else on the court.

You can never get enough of the basic fundamentals. I'm a big believer in doing things over and over until they become a habit. Also, add in all the different variations of that skill that you're working on, whether it's shooting, passing, or dribbling.

Definitely practice your moves every day. Do crossovers, between-the-legs, behind-the-back, and figure-eights between your legs. If you dedicate as little as 10 minutes every day, your handles will get better.

Bring a ball to the court. Dribble and take some shots in front of them; if you can play they will notice.

Every chance you get. If you want to be as good as possible, practice as much as you can.

Not at all. As long as you can defend well or pass perfectly, and be a good sport, you should be fine in short form. Just try to help out your team as well as you can, and practice lots.

No, many professional basketball players are of average height or slightly taller than average. A shorter person can often move the ball across the court faster and more efficiently than a taller person. It also doesn't matter when it comes to shooting. The famous example is Nate Robinson, who can still dunk it at 5 feet 9 inches. You may have to train a little harder at jumping and shooting than a tall player would, but you'll have other advantages working in your favor.

Of course. Sometimes it can be very time-consuming, but the more you practice, the better you will be.

No, but you do need to work on strengthening your arms and abdominal muscles to throw the ball harder and farther. This applies for anyone, not just shorter players.

Practice ball-handling, dribbling, passing, fast breaks, inbounding, screening, stealing, shot-blocking, running offensive plays, guarding, jump balls, rebounding and blocking out.

You really can't improve at it without practice. But since basketball and shooting hoops require good eye-hand coordination skills, you could try tossing rings around bottles or something that helps eye-hand coordination skills. Specific shooting practice is best though. This wikiHow article on how to become a better basketball shooter might help.

If you use the backboard, aim for the upper near corner of the rectangle above the basket.

Back off a little. Keep practicing. There's no shortcut to becoming a great player.

Keep the ball away from your defender. Practice your quickness. The quicker you are, the harder it is to block you or steal from you.

Try to find some time in which to practice. If you are really serious about basketball, you could consider spending less time on other hobbies or extracurricular activities (ie: playing video games). Even a little bit of practice (5 to 10 minutes) each day is better than no practice at all.

If you truly love playing the game, you'll just have to forget about any spectators and play for the fun of it. Keep practicing and your game will improve.

Seven more months of serious practice will definitely make you better.

Strengthen your legs with all sorts of exercises (particularly for the thighs). Jump over and over, trying to touch something high off the ground (like a hoop).

It's possible that using an eight-foot hoop will ''hurt'' you for a ten-footer. If you get used to an eight-footer, you are likely re-calibrating your shot to suit it. Try practicing a bit on a ten-foot hoop before you have a game.

Boxing out is more a matter of quickness than height. Just get to the floor position before your opponent does.

Practice your dribbling and faking skills so you can dribble away from the defender and have an open shot.

If you're talking about a jammed finger, keep your fingers curled a little until the ball gets to you. You can't jam a curled or relaxed finger.

Practice a lot, and then try out for the team.

No. Many girls and women play basketball at all levels, even professionally, throughout the world.

Practice a lot and watch highlights of college or NBA players to see how they score and what makes them unstoppable. Then try to mimic aspects of their game.

Any arm-strengthening exercises will help your shooting by allowing you to shoot from farther out, thereby expanding your shooting range.

It means you haven't practiced enough yet. Your body needs time to adjust to using the muscles required for basketball. And don't get too fancy as a beginner. Work on fundamentals. Passing between your legs is not a fundamental.

You have to be determined and work hard. You have to believe in yourself.