Being a small player doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in the game of basketball. A small player just needs to be more competitive and have a greater work ethic than his taller rivals. One step ahead of the competition is the difference between being defeated and winning most games in basketball. Here are some basketball tips for small players that might help you make an impact in basketball.
Play Beyond Your Height: Basketball Tips for Small Players
Height is might in the game of basketball, but that does not mean small players could not make an impact as much as taller players do. In case you are one of many basketball aspirants who lack size but have the heart to compete on the court, all you need is hard work, dedication, and most importantly, knowledge. Yes, what you need is basketball for small players like you!
Utilize speed advantage
Bigger and taller individuals are often employed to play basketball, but there’s still room for the smaller players. They may need to work harder at conditioning themselves so that they can perform well in a game, but they can use speed as an advantage against bigger players. Smaller players often have the ability to go faster than other players. They also have the ability to accelerate faster after a cut or change of direction. Although they don’t have great leg power, they still possess strength and endurance that can be used against bigger and taller opponents if there is an open court.
Improve dribble package
Dribbling is one of the most fundamental basketball tips for small players. It allows you to control the pace of your game, change direction quickly and improve your whole game – from shooting accuracy to free throws. Small players can also improve their balance and coordination by practicing walking off the tall end of a net or riding the trampoline in sandboxes. You can use these tips to improve your dribbling in small games or when playing in organized basketball games. A good dribbler will win over opponents and leads to more points for your team.
Be a fleet-footed defender
The best defense is a good offense. When you are a small player on the court, you have to be able to get your teammates involved and make plays for you. This means having good handles, using your quickness and instincts to get to the basket, and assisting teammates when they are getting beat down low.
Master the floater shot
Mastering the floater shot is one of the best basketball tips for small players. This shot is one of the biggest scoring shots in basketball. It’s used by players from all skill levels, but is especially popular among shorter players to either score or create space for a more difficult basket. The floater shot is a great option to have in your repertoire even though it’s not the easiest to master. It gives smaller players better scoring opportunities than the layup or dunk because they still get the ball up high in the basket.
Become a shifty ball handler
One of the most important basketball tips for small players when playing basketball is your ability to switch the direction of your dribble without losing the ball, in other words, without dribbling behind your back. It’s a very simple technique, but one that will greatly improve your game and give you a huge advantage over your opponents.
Enhance strength and stamina
A lot of small players usually lose the game not because of their skills. It is because of the lack of physical strength. They’re not only having a disadvantage in height but also in body development. They should enhance their strength and stamina to be able to play like a whole player.
In today’s basketball game, it is very important for a player to be quick on their feet. It is very necessary to have the coordination to play the game of basketball. In order to play basketball well and have coordination, one must have strength and stamina in them. This is the reason why it is very important for a player who is small in size to possess agility and swiftness.
Height should never stop you from being a great basketball player!
Learn the art of playmaking
Offensive plays are ones in which the player receives the ball directly in front of his opponent with his back to the basket. Once the ball is in the air, both players must decide whether they want to pass or shoot. A pass is an easy play because it only requires one hand. Most of the time, shooters will attempt a jump shot after receiving the ball near the free-throw line or at the other end of the court. However, many small players prefer to shoot rather than pass because they believe it is more difficult for them to convert shots than passes because they are not used to similar levels of footwork and footspeed necessary to make a perfect pass.
Never Back Down From Taller Competition
A smaller height does not necessarily equate to lesser basketball performance. There are small players who guarantee success when it comes to dominating the game and even winning most games. Basketball for small players requires not only special skills but also a competitive mind and work ethic that would put them ahead of their taller foes.