Basketball Scoring Tips

Do you want to become a big-time scorer?

Do you want to increase your shooting percentage and scoring average?

The more effective you become on the offensive end of the floor, the more valuable you are to the team, and the more playing time you'll get.

Two guaranteed ways to improve your scoring average

Everyone wants to score more points. So here are a couple easy ways to improve your scoring average:

1.) Take better shots. Now, this may sound simple...and it is. But it is an important part of being a better scorer. The better your shot selection, the better you're shooting percentage will be. It's a pretty simple formula.

You're probably thinking: hey, I take good shots. Well, do you really? Good shots aren't just shots you take because you're open and haven't shot the ball in awhile. Good shots are shots that are within the scheme of the offense, within your range, and likely within your shooting "spots" on the floor.

For example: if you are a great shooter from about 15-feet out, and around the free throw line, then don't take a 23-footer from the baseline. Or, if you have a really good turnaround jumper in the post, don't try to take a guy off the dribble and shoot a running 8-footer in the lane. Of course, you can't always pick and choose where you'll be on the floor, or what your coach will ask you to do within the scheme of the offense. But you get the idea. Put yourself in situations that you thrive in. Create oppotunities in which you are likely to succeed. Take good shots, shots you are comortable with, shots you are likley to make and watch your scoring average soar.

2.) Become a better free throw shooter. Again, a very simple concept, but also a very powerful one. Think about it: let's say you go to the free throw line an average of 6 times a game. If you are a 60% free throw shooter, you'll hit 3.6 of the 6 shots. If you are a great free throw shooter (and hit 90% of your shots), you'll hit 5.4 of the 6 shots. The difference is nearly 2 points a game.

In otherwords, work on becoming a great free throw shooter, and you can improve your scoring average by a point or two (or more) a game. Besides, free throws shouldn't be that difficult anyway. Think about it: you get to shoot a 15-foot shot with no on guarding you, and with 30 seconds to shoot the ball (so there is no rush). That's a gimme'. Free throw shooting is really a concentration issue: if you can concentrate and block out all the noise and stress of the moment, you should be able to increase your free throw shooting percentage quite a bit, and in turn, increase your scoring average.

What is the trait all great scorers share?

In addition to having great athletic ability, court sense, and confidence, great scorers are also great finishers. What does that mean? Finishing a play means that you not only make a great move, but you have the focus, determination, strength, and skill level to finish the play and put the ball in the basket.

Let me give you an example: imagine that you catch the ball on the wing, make a great pump fake and drive around your man, beat the help-side defender to the basket and then blow the lay-up. The great fake, the drive to the basket...none of it really meant anything because you didn't finish the play.

The keys to finishing plays?
- Focus: don't lose your concentration just because you make a great move. Focus until the play is over.
- Strength: be strong with the ball, and make powerful moves. Don't let the ball get knocked out of your hands at the last second, and make sure you make your move with power. If you get bumped or fouled going up for a shot, you should still be able to finish the play more often than not.
- Fearlessness: don't ever be afraid of missing a shot or getting your shot blocked. Take shots with confidence. Go to the basket with confidence. You will miss shots, and you will get shots blocked. But don't play in fear of having those things happen to you.
- Practice against good players: the only way to learn how to finish is to do it, a lot, against good players. Practice and play against tough competition and your game will improve.

Multiple offensive weapons: the key to being a great scorer

Great scorers are dynamic: they can shoot from all over the court, they can shoot off the dribble or coming off of a screen, they can drive to their left or right, they can hit a runner in the lane, they are good free throw shooters, they can handle the ball...in short, they can do it all.

Now, there is a difference between a great shooter, and a great scorer. Shooters usually have great form, and can nail the shot from a couple spots on the floor. But "shooters" are different from "scorers". Scorers may not have great form, put they put the ball in the hole. They always seem to be around the ball, and always seem to be able to find a way to put points on the board. Scorers not only benefit from their teammates helping them get good shots, but they can also create scoring opportunities for themselves. That is the key difference.

To be a great scorer you have to have the following traits:
- Have a scorers mentality: have no fear and be willing to take the big shot.
- You can't get discouraged if you miss a shot or two (or three). You know you'll make the next shot.
- You create scoring opportunities for yourself: whether it's offensive rebounds and put-backs, or getting fouled and going to the free throw line, scorers put themselves in situations to score.
- Know your strengths: if you are a good shooter from the baseline, work your way to that spot on the floor. If you have a great jump hook, put yourself down on the block or in the lane to take advantage of that strength.

But the key to being a great scorer is keeping the defense off-balance. If you have a good shot, and good ball handling skills with either hand, you put the D at a real disadvantage. The defender won't know if you're going to shoot the jumper, give a pump fake and drive to the hole, or pull up in the lane for a little floater. Great scorers have multiple weapons and keep the defense guessing.

Don't allow yourself to be limited in what you can do on the offensive end of the floor. Work on your shot, but also work on being able to drive to the basket with either hand. Work on being able to shoot coming off of a screen, or off of the dribble. And make sure you're a good free throw shooter. The more ways you have to score, the tougher you'll be to guard, and the more deadly you'll be.

Click here to go to learn how to become a great shooter

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