Everyone wants the edge. The killer crossover. The clean jumper. The kind of feel for the game that makes everything look easy.
But getting better at basketball isn’t just about putting in time. It’s about doing the right work. And a lot of young players waste years chasing the wrong drills, following bad advice, or copying pros who made mistakes.
This guide shows you what to look for, what to avoid, and how to build a training plan that actually levels up your game.
Why Some Players Plateau
The gym is full of guys who can dribble two balls but still can’t beat a defender. They’ve got handles but no direction. Jumpers but no confidence. Hours on the court, but no progress.
The reason? Bad habits. And copying the wrong stuff.
Markelle Fultz is a cautionary tale. He was the number one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. In college, he had a smooth shot and elite scoring ability. Then something strange happened. Between college and the NBA, he completely changed his shooting form. No one is sure why. Some say it was an injury. Some say it was advice from trainers.
The result? His shot collapsed. He lost confidence. His scoring dropped. His entire game suffered. It took years to recover.
The lesson: if it’s working, don’t change it without a reason. And don’t trust every trainer with a nice Instagram.
Read Reviews Like a Pro
Basketball camps and trainers love flashy promo videos. They’ll show dunks, slow-motion drills, and “proven results.” But that’s not enough.
You need to know how to read reviews the right way.
Look for Specifics
Skip the reviews that just say “great camp” or “awesome coach.” Look for people who say what actually happened. Did the player improve their shooting percentage? Did they get real one-on-one coaching? Did the camp help them make a team?
Watch for Copy-Paste Comments
If 20 reviews all sound the same, they might be fake. Real feedback is messy. It has typos. It includes both good and bad. Trust the ones that sound like real people.
Ask Past Players
Message people who’ve been to the camp. Ask what drills they ran. Ask if the coaches paid attention. Ask if it was worth the money.
And if you see a bad review and want to know how to handle it from a business side, learning how to delete a Google review can help if it’s false or breaks the rules. Reputation matters—on and off the court.
Tools That Actually Work
You don’t need expensive gear. But the right tools make your training more focused.
Shooting Apps
Apps like HomeCourt and Noah can track arc, release time, and shot location. You get feedback after every shot. It’s not magic. But it helps build consistency.
Weighted Balls
These help with grip strength and follow-through. Just don’t overuse them. Mix them in once or twice a week. Always pair with regular shooting to keep your form sharp.
Resistance Bands
Great for defensive slides and balance work. You can use them for strength training without adding bulk.
Film Your Workouts
Use your phone. Watch your form. See how your footwork looks. Compare your moves to pros. Don’t guess what’s wrong. See it and fix it.
The Training Plan That Works
There’s no shortcut. But there is a system.
Phase 1: Foundation (2–4 weeks)
- Focus on footwork
- Master basic shooting mechanics
- Track free throws and form shooting every day
- Keep a journal with reps, makes, and notes
Phase 2: Skill Stack (4–6 weeks)
- Add finishing drills (floaters, reverse layups, contact finishes)
- Start using 2-ball dribbling for coordination
- Use cones or chairs for game-like movement
- Increase shooting reps under mild fatigue
Phase 3: Game Speed (ongoing)
- Rep drills at full pace
- Use defenders
- Run 1-on-1, 2-on-2, or small-sided games
- Watch your film weekly and adjust
One high school point guard, Marcus from Chicago, tracked 1,000 shots per week for three months. He used an old camcorder to study his form. By the season, he raised his 3-point percentage from 28% to 41%. “I wasn’t training more. I was just training better,” he said.
What to Avoid
Here are three things that will mess up your game fast:
1. Overtraining
More is not always better. Tired legs ruin shooting form. Burnout kills motivation. Rest is part of the process.
2. Copying Flawed Pros
Don’t copy a player just because they’re in the NBA. Study fundamentals. Not everyone is Steph Curry. And even Steph had to fix his shot in high school.
3. Training for Instagram
Skip the circus drills. One-legged, behind-the-back, off-the-wall shots look cool. But they don’t help you win games. Keep it simple and game-like.
Mindset Wins Games
Basketball is mental as much as physical.
Keep your workouts short and focused. Track your goals. Use challenges. Compete. Train with players better than you. And don’t panic when you miss shots. Everyone does.
The key is consistency. One workout won’t change you. But 100 smart ones will.
Final Tip: Trust the Boring Stuff
Pro trainers will tell you the same thing: the best players love boring drills. Form shooting. Closeouts. Pivot foot work.
It’s not flashy. But it wins games.
Want proof? Kobe Bryant would shoot for hours without jumping. Just feet set. One-dribble pull-ups. Repeat. A high school coach who saw him said, “He trained like he was chasing something invisible.”
That’s the mindset. Do the boring stuff better than anyone.
Final Thoughts
There are two types of hoopers. The ones who chase hype. And the ones who build real skill.
“You can’t shortcut the fundamentals. I’ve coached players at every level, and the ones who succeed are the ones who fall in love with the basics. Layups, footwork, closeouts. That’s where games are won,” said Rob Murphy, founder of the Rob Murphy Foundation and longtime coach and executive.
If you want to be the second kind, focus on smart reps, clean form, and honest feedback. Use tools that give you data. Study the right film. Read reviews like a scout. And always remember that more isn’t better. Better is better.
So lace up. Grab your ball. Start your next workout with a purpose. Because the next level is real—and it’s waiting.
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Author: Team Dunkest
July 22, 2025 | 5:46 am
