Playing basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. But if you want to try it, you need to learn a few things first. After all, being prepared for any sport means less likelihood of you getting injured and having the maximum amount of fun.

Step 1: Getting the Right Gear

Before you get into the court, you need to have the proper gear with you first. The wrong ones could lead to an injury, an embarrassing situation, or other problematic issues. 

So, below are gears that you need before playing some basketball.

Shoes

Good basketball shoes need to be tight to support your whole feet and ankle. But not so much that you might break the bones in your foot when you run.

Today, there are basketball shoes with springs or air bubbles, which give you more momentum and leverage when playing. 

Shorts

Basketball requires plenty of running and jumping. So ensure that your shorts are breathable enough for you to do these activities. It doesn’t have to be so short as the ones in the past. Just long enough to come to your knees and work with the braces you want to wear.

Equipment

You can’t play without the proper equipment with you. So bring a basketball with you and look for the best basketball hoops in your area. It would be best to have a duffel bag with you, too, so you can carry your extra clothes and other miscellaneous stuff.

Joint Support 

The joint support is essential to keep you going when your knees are sore or if you have a slight injury with you. It also serves as prevention for them as well.

Step 2: Start Jogging, Walking, or Cycling Every Day

Basketball is a very demanding sport. Sure, as long as you’re healthy, you can play. But you’ll have a better experience if you can keep up with the sport. Even before you begin basketball, you’ll want to make exercising a habit every day.

A healthy cardiovascular system can support your physical efforts when playing basketball.

Step 3: Work On your Dribble 

Anyone can dribble on their dominant anyone. But it takes dedication and practice to do it on your weak hand. So begin by dribbling between each hand until you become comfortable. Then start walking and running using alternating patterns.

As you progress, start by dribbling only with your weak hand until you can dribble and run with it. After that, you can begin to practice advanced dribbling moves.

 Step 4: Work On Your Shot

A good defense is a must. But you can’t win a game just being on the defensive. You got to do some offense too.

So, start by picking a spot you are comfortable with, then practice some shooting for at least 15 minutes. You might miss plenty of times, but that’s okay. Once your shot can go in 70% of the time, it’s time to move to the free-throw line. Then the three-point line. After that, you can move to other positions to practice at different angles.

Conclusion

Basketball can be exhausting and a lot of work. That is why you need to do the steps in this article to ensure that you can play at your best. It sounds boring, especially the repetitive practice. But the bottom line is if you are in better shape, you will be in a better position to win and have fun in the game.

Don’t think that you need to be the MVP. You just need to be the guy your team can rely on when playing. After all, basketball is a team sport.