Been asking about how to increase basketball IQ and learning the tips to play smarter in basketball matches, thus becoming a star? Here are the answers to your questions outlined below in this content.
According to Wikipedia’s definition of the basketball game, it is s a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately 9.4 inches (24 cm) in diameter) through the defender’s hoop (a basket 18 inches (46 cm) in diameter mounted 10 feet (3.048 m) high to a backboard at each end of the court), while preventing the opposing team from shooting through their own hoop.
As a potential star who aspires differently to be some substance on the pitch of game, there are some professional attitudes that help you improve on how to increase basketball IQ as this could be the only way to learn the art of playing smarter on the field of play.
How to Increase Basketball IQ?
Here are guiding lights on what and what you can do to lift and expand your basketball IQ (Intelligence Quotient):
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Playing Often
Basketball IQ is being able to pick up on small cues that allow players to read the play and anticipate what’s going to happen next. Well, there’s no better way to start noticing those small “cues” than by playing! This doesn’t exclusively mean live games of 5-on-5 with coaches on the sidelines and parents in the stands either.
- Random pick-up games with friends at school
- 3-on-3 during team practices
- 1-on-1 games against your best friend, etc.
Any of these competitive games with offense and defense counts as playing games. And the more you play, the more “cues” you’ll pick up on that will improve your basketball IQ.
Players aren’t going to consciously realize it as they gradually pick up these cues and get an understanding for them. Most of this process will happen subconsciously. But what actually happened is they subconsciously picked up on many small cues within a split second that told them (subconsciously) there was a good chance the pass could be made without committing a turnover.
Cues such as:
- Defender’s back to the hoop
- Defender not on balance
- Defender not watching the ball
- Teammate in explosive stance
- Eye contact with teammate
- Noticing there’s no help defense
- On-ball defender relaxed, etc.
These “cues” that allow players to learn the games are skipped over when players spend too much time training individually or 1-on-1 with a skills trainer.
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Engage in Conversations About the Game Often
Any successful person will tell you they learn a lot about what they do by talking about it with other people in that field. This is why coaches attend coaching clinics and businesses hire consultants. Talking to others and asking questions is not an admission of lack of knowledge or a weakness. Rather, it is a strength to make the effort to improve.
- Converse with your coaches about basketball. Ask them what you personally can be working on or doing better. Pick their brains on the schematics they use and fundamentals that are drilled in practice.
- Converse with other players and coaches of other teams if you have the opportunity to. Find out their perspectives on the game, strategy, training, and how they do things differently or similarly.
A lot can be learned in a short amount of time by asking the right questions and entering each conversation with an open mind.
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Game Awareness
Another key to executing high IQ basketball plays is game awareness. Many plays that are considered ‘high IQ’ will depend on making smart decisions based on factors such as time, score, foul count, timeouts, etc. This requires intense focus and discipline.
Such awareness subjects or topics as timing:
It’s important for all players to know how much time is left on the game clock (and shot clock), especially towards the end of a close game. This knowledge can assist you to make smart decision based on time left in the game, such as:
- Fouling to send the opposition to the line and get possession
- Executing a 2-for-1
- Holding the basketball for a last-second shot.
And knowing exactly how much time is left will prevent players from doing silly things like running out the clock during Game 1 of the NBA Finals (2018) when scores are tied instead of passing to a teammate to shoot. For players who are competing in a league that allows players to call timeouts while on the court, it’s important to be aware of how many timeouts your team has left.
If you accidentally call a timeout when your team has zero left, it’s an automatic technical foul. And if you make this mistake at the wrong time, it can cost your team the game.
Another one is paying attention to foul trouble:
Knowledge of which players are in foul trouble can play a big factor late in games.
If an opponent’s best player is in foul trouble, you might choose to run a play that makes them the primary defender on a player attacking the basket or in a post up situation. To avoid fouling out, they’ll often play mediocre defense and won’t challenge the shot.
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Understanding Your Team’s Pattern
Another thing that will assist you to make smart decisions as quickly as possible is knowing your team’s system (offensively and defensively) like the back of your hand. There’s nothing worse than being “lost” on the court. Players should spend time learning the roles and responsibilities for all positions in case they find themselves required to fill another position on a specific play. Knowing the team’s system can include:
- Main Offense
- Main Defense
- Defensive Rotations
- Set Plays
- Full-Court Press
- Zone
Everything your team runs throughout a season on both ends of the floor. Any basketball coach worth their salt will be more than happy to answer your questions, and this often helps them realize there’s something they need to explain better to the team. If you’re not sure, there are probably other players who aren’t sure either.
