Tip #1 ? Commit to a Definite Schedule.



You might think this is pretty obvious, but it means more than just dreaming about what you intend to do and more than depending on your changeable moods. You are taking the trouble to plan out in writing a definite schedule. You're going to commit and follow through, even on days when you're not that inspired. This forces you to be realistic, and it keeps you focused and on track.

Tip #2 ? Get Great Advice and Effective Drills for Each Specific Skill.

Once you have made a time commitment, the next step is to plan what to do with the time. There is no shortage of dependable advice to help you in your efforts, and you should definitely take advantage of it. Take the trouble to find and study expert advice for each skill. You will find step-by-step guidance for building each skill. Getting great habits from the very start will definitely save you time in the long run. You will be able to find specific drills for each skill, and you will be able to find great suggestions for scheduling your practice time.

Tip #3 ? Practice with Intense Focus.

There is a big difference in what you can accomplish with concentration and focus compared to what you can accomplish just cruising. Your ability to sustain focused attention is perhaps the biggest factor in how quickly you will progress in your development, so you should approach your practices with a serious attitude. One way to help yourself develop effective focus and intensity is to chart your developmental progress and set some performance goals for yourself. In simple terms, push yourself to the next level.

Tip #4 ? Get a Practice Buddy.

There are direct and indirect advantages of this basketball tip. First of all, many drills work better if you have a defender or teammate involved. For instances, passing drills clearly work better if you have a human target, dribbling against a defender speeds development, defending a real player clearly helps with defensive skills, and having a partner for shooting drills allows you to get more shots in instead of chasing rebounds. Second, having a partner reinforces your commitment. If you are feeling a little lazy, your partner can get you back into a productive frame of mind.

Tip #5 ? Watch Great Players.

You will gain from studying how great players perform. If you have access to the internet, you can find lots of footage showing players who have outstanding fundamentals, and it will do you good to see how effective you can be if you have great skills. Of course, this won't replace your actual practice, but it will reinforce it and inspire you. One thing that you will probably notice is that skills can be developed to higher and higher levels.

Tip #6 ? Increase Your Time Commitment.

All other factors equal, the more time you spend working on your skills, the faster you will progress. If you are interested in making faster progress, then simply spend more quality time working on your skills. Keep in mind that you need to build up your commitment steadily so that you don't suddenly double your commitment and then burn out quickly, and you need to balance this commitment with your other responsibilities in life. Whatever you do, try to do it with enthusiasm and with the idea that progress has stages and is long term.

Tip #7 ? Keep a Positive Focus.

Working on basketball skills requires that you go through some awkward stages. Learning to dribble with your off-hand is just one example. You feel clumsy and make plenty of mistakes before you get decent off-hand skills. You should certainly be prepared for these awkward stages and take them in stride. If you get down on yourself and moan and groan, you will prolong your agony. It's normal, so deal with it cheerfully and keep working with positive focus. That's the fastest way to mastery!

Developing your basketball skills can be a very rewarding experience and can open up great opportunities for you to be successful on teams in various settings. The better your skills, the more effective you can be whenever and wherever you play.