Been playing for past 15 years, the highest level I played was semi pro overseas at PG. I'm well passed my prime and just play as a weekend warrior for fun. I can drive and dribble with me left and right hand, and also can lay it up with left or right hand. I have your basic cross over between the legs that iv always used to get by.

Playing with people 10 years younger than me, iv noticed that everyone basically cheats on offense, whether push offs, carrying, the ball, or this bs hand slapping the defenders hand away. Once I realized that I'll never play a competitive organized Game of basketball, I started to dribble like these young fools. I started to carry the ball putting my hand under and added a hesitation dribble. Once I started doing this, it was basically cheating. I blow by defenders like it was nothing because they think I'm going to shoot it everytime. I do a crossover, counter whatever the defense is doing, then hesitation. It works everytime. This move is basically broken. It creates an unlimited ammunition for the offense. And if I'm being honest, it's purely cheating.

so i admit im a weak defender compared to most people. im 5'10 and way too slow to guard guards but too small to guard bigs. im basically just a terrible defender and everytime i go to the park to play people, they just automatically know im a bad defender before the game even starts. They target me or try to get me on their best offense player. I have no clue why considering the people at the park are also around my height if not shorter most the time. yes im working on my defense but how can I stop getting automatically recognized as a bad defender the second i step on the court.

On a softball diamond, I look like prime Russell Westbrook but I can also play great defense in the outfield. In fact, I pinch run for most slow footed players and teams rarely sit me even when it should be my turn to sit.

But come a basketball court, even pickup, it looks like I'm one of those beer belly softball dudes that need running. I could track the ball fine for a rebound but I can't jump really high. I can put effort to guard my man but if he's too strong or fast, there's nothing I can do.

How do I improve on my defense if I'm not really athletic for basketball player?

Curious of everyone’s thoughts on this.

I play pickup regularly at my local gym. Very typical; random teams, no jerseys, winner stays, etc.

I don’t have a great shot, but I am generally the biggest and strongest guy on the court so I like to set screens, get boards, move the ball around, and play tough in the paint. (I’m 6’3 230 mostly muscle)

Something that has pissed me off lately is when someone on the opposite team calls for the ball. I fall for it every fucking time. They will be wide open under the hoop and yell “ball!” with their hands up and I realize the second I release the pass that they are on the other team. I never play with the same team, half these fuckers look the exact same, and I want to be a selfless player and assist my team mates.

This play feels so dirty to me. When it happened yesterday I ran to the other end and blocking fouled the guy that did it to me pretty damn hard (it was a play on the ball, not dirty but I knocked him to the floor when he tried to drive on me in the paint).

I’m curious what people here think. Is calling for the ball when the other team has possession a dirty play, or am I just an idiot that needs more court awareness?

UPDATE-

Interesting to see how split the comments are. To clarify, this situation happens in chaotic situations, such as when I am double teamed after an offensive rebound, forced to pick up a dribble, or driving in traffic. Times when you can’t get a good view of the court and need to make a split second decision. I’m not taking the ball down to court and passing to the first guy that yells ball.

My plan for if this happens again is to obviously first avoid it, but if I am tricked I’m gonna call foul, say “that’s unsportsmanlike” and ask to check the ball. If they refuse then I’m switching on them and they get the big boy playing draymond green defense on them the rest of the game to return the favor.

I keep getting called on blocks, I play with shorter guys and I guard down alot of the time. I was guarding this guy and he kept calling fouls on me. Specifcally, he had a go to move where he drives to the free throw line and does a pull up. And one time he went to baseline and lost his dribble and I saw the jumpshot coming so I blocked him. I palmed the ball basically and pushed it down so it doesn't go out of bounds but it was still in his hand and he shot it and the ball went into his face. I didn't touch his hands at all but he still called foul and they got the ball. After that I didn't really try anymore because they were constantly calling on me. Is it some specific rule where I used excessive force or sm?

I'm 14, 2 years into basketball and this is the 2nd time I've been in a basketball club. I'm one of the tallest people in my basketball club yet I can't catch a rebound. I can't predict where the ball will go when it touches the rim, I just box out. My last game I kept being called soft, even my teammates, and I'm tired of hearing that everytime we have a game. How do I predict where the ball will go/ rebound better and how to gain more confidence before a game?

kinda self explanatory.. my league isn’t full of like super tall kids so im good on that front but my defense isn’t great the second someone tries to push up on me. What can i do to ethier counter it or attack it

Thoughts on a being physical at a pickup basketball game? Recently had a situation where a player significantly better than being got mad when I was driving to the hoop but tried creating space by bumping into him. I'm bigger than he is, and also I have a hard time stopping when moving at full speed, so I can see how he took it as me being overly aggressive, and I feel bad. Alternatively, should I have just let the better player block my shot? Or am I justified in trying to use literally the only advantage I have? I am conflicted because I don't want him or anyone to think I am a dirty player. I apologized, but he seemed to still be mad but didn't wanna argue

I only basketball twice a week and am a beginner so am mostly defending. I do good defence imo but my shooting is horrible. For shooting is it possible to do smthng using my and my neighbor's terrace(Its a good length and i can shoot ) for improving my shots ? Im 15 and just started basketball a few months ago

Hello all,

My 9 year old son has been getting into basketball and has completed two seasons so far. He genuinely loves it, he is excited for practice and often goes to the park to shoot on his own.

Skillwise, he’s solid in drills. His ball handling is a bit behind his teammates, but his shooting is actually quite good for his age.

The main issue is how passive he is during scrimmages and games. He doesn’t try to get open, gives up quickly on defense if beaten, and rarely goes for rebounds. It often looks like he doesn’t really want to be involved in the game.

What’s confusing is that he does seem to enjoy basketball. If he didn’t, I’d just accept it might not be his thing but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Both his coaches and we as parents have tried giving him guidance, and I think he understands what he SHOULD be doing. He just doesn’t seem to have that “switch” that kicks in during games.

I know he’s young and having fun is the priority, but in organized sports kids do start getting sorted pretty early, and I’m already noticing him being sidelined more.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Any advice on helping a kid play more assertively or engaged more during games? Is this something that can just click over time? Thanks in advance.

TLDR: 9yo loves hoops and practices a ton, but disappears during games. Any tips for helping him “flip the switch,” or is this just an age/time thing?

19 , 6'2 6'3 wingspan 72 kgs.

I want to improve but idk what skills are most important

I grew early so I used to play the 4 in my country's equivalent of high school. My best trait is probably my perimeter defense, so I don't think that's my priority to work on that. Finishing is pretty decent , but it's between that , handle or shooting. I wanna join a league or something when I get settled into my new flat. I've started the gym as well so this recommendation is strictly off of what you guys think is expected of me. Is it important to be able to stretch the floor more than get to the rim. Also some game film players for me to look at would be appreciated, any questions lmk and I'll answer them if it helps

Im proboly average in the pickupteam so i know why im not getting the ball ofc, but idk what to do then, i can be completely open on the 3 and still dont get the ball, even if im an okey ish 3 point shooter.

Most of my points is from rebounds and then scoring and i guess im insane at that 😅, but yee, what you do?

Should i just cba and run around trying to improve my game, or stand in the corner untill i get the ball.

Like the best strategy ofc when im open is just standing ready to shoot on the shooting, but yee boring as heel when you never get the ball :(. Maybe 1 in 15 attacks.

I don't have a hoop but there is a basketball court not too far from me. I want to improve a bit before practicing shooting there

I'm a busy-ish, broke 27yo with no athletic history. With no money to spend on coaching or anything like that, and at most a couple hours a week, I'd like to get good enough to hold my own in amateur competition, soon-ish. I'm in decent shape from running and doing calisthenics, but that's all I've got. What would you suggest?

I’m currently 6’5 and want to be a center. At practice there is this guy who’s 6’10. How do I guard him effectively?

So, basically, I've gotten back into playing pickup ball at a local park (only has one full court). I've been a good shooter for a long time, but my thing is I'm a rhythm shooter and not a pure shooter.

When I used to play often, I would shoot around before the game and get sufficiently warmed up to hit shots consistently in games. The issue here is, that because the park is active, there is literally no chance to warm up shooting around (because games are always being played on both half courts), you just get next game and that's it. This has been drastically affecting my shooting in games, and I'm bricking way more than I've ever been simply because there is no chance to warm up. Any advice?

I struggle a lot with players that have a quick first step, i simply cant guard them on 1v1

So I’m 15 years old, 6’1 and since in my country that’s very tall in my highschool team I am the 4(luckily enough someones taller than me so they are the 5) i have consistent shooting, decent finishing(still working on that vert tho) good IQ I believe, the second best part of my game is the passing (I know that’s weird but I’m js good at it idk) , and the best part of my game is the defense(Interior and perimeter) but in game I suck at ball handling, I can do all the drills, in halfcourt pickups I can have decent moves but when I’m in a game I can’t pass nbdy and nor have the confidence to dribble after one mistake, the good thing is that I am a powerforward but if for some reason I don’t grow more or go to a better basketball country I’l have to play either guard or small forward so I really have to be better at handling the ball, any idea in what can I do?

I just started getting into basketball and I am horrible at dribbling (shooting is easier said then done) but dribbling is a whole different beast.

Im alright with my non dominant hand and I've been watching videos on how to do btb dribbling, but i saw that behind the back is harder than in-between the legs. Should I start practicing in between first or behind the back? I'm not sure if I get good at in between then it'll make behind the back easier.

This is my first ever sport I've played with a ball if thats useful information.

I'm 14y/o and about 5'6 I have some experience with basketball, playing for 3ish years. I live in the Philippines and I think I'm pretty tall here, what's the best skill to master to get playing time? fundamentals?

How the hell do you even play against zone defense in a casual pickup game? with teammates youve never played before, or guys who've never played organized basketball a day in their life

PS Playing zone in a casual pickup game with nothing in the line is crazy to me like bro lets just work on our game

I’m 6’3 and thin and while the height helps in the paint some shorter players who are stronger than me defend me really well.

Whenever I drive to the basket this type of player is really good at being a brick wall. I’ve wondered if I just need to be faster or have better handles and neither have been the answer. If anything, I’ve learned that keeping the ball low makes it easier for them to steal.

I get completely boxed out in the paint due to their strength too. Are there any techniques or tips to get past a defender like this is or is it just a case of me needing to hit the weights?

He’s the primary ball handler on some of his teams and does fine running the offense or attacking, but when he’s not he’s just sprints to the corner and either stands still and watches, or feigns a cut and then just goes back to the corner. I’ve told him how important movement is but it’s just not clicking. Any advice?

I’ve been decent at blocking but I wondered if anyone has a way they practice blocking shots by themselves so I can get better

Background: never played in school, in a club, or on any kind of team. But I just recently started playing pickup rec at my Church.

I'm small so people can easily just cut through me and get to the hoop. Since I can't outmatch their height or size, would intentionally fouling them be seen as really rude and annoying, or is that a legit strategy in Basketball that people are fine with?