Every time you step on the basketball court, you are working towards becoming the best player you can be. While sure, practice enough and you’ll get better, but there are also other things you can do to improve your skills on the hardwood.
Of course, your teammates will not always be available to train with you every single time you want to improve a certain skill. But, there are several pieces of basketball training equipment that can help take your game to a whole other level.
Even though they might be available during the team’s training sessions, there are certain aspects you may all want to improve as a team. Shooting, dribbling, passing, and footwork can be refined by different basketball training equipment and aids.
Training with these different gears will help elevate your game on the court and save your coach’s time. Just spot the skill you want to work on and find the right training aid to help you out. After a period of time, you will notice some changes in your gameplay and improvement in your physical strength.
There are many products out there in the market that may get you confused, that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best basketball training equipment.
Let’s dive right into this and get an insight into how these basketball training aids work and why they help.
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Who Should Get This
These training equipment work differently, and they are suitable for everyone!
Coaches and the whole team use these training aids differently. If you are a player whose working on dribbling without looking down, there is specific equipment to help you do that.
Not only will you save your coach from the trouble of yelling at you to remind you to look up, but after a while, positive results will be seen.
Basketball training aids also give coaches an easier time. Once you give your team instructions on how to train using these aids, players train as hard as possible to surpass their limits. To those players who also like training alone, there are some great equipment for you as well.
Of course, be sure you know what you want to practice or work on before you buy. Someone who can already slam dunk the ball with authority may not need equipment that helps train your vertical jump.
You don’t want to end up with something you don’t need, so read the descriptions carefully.
Top Pick of The Best Basketball Training Aids 2022
Below is our list of recommendations. We’ll also show you why they help with your training, along with a quick review of each item.
With Steph Curry and other sensational shooters essentially changing basketball as we know it, everyone wants to
get better at shooting the ball from range. If that is your goal, this heavy trainer rubber basketball might be right for you. It is an official-sized basketball, only it weighs about twice as much as a regulation basketball.
By shooting with a heavier basketball, you will get stronger and be able to work on your range with ease. The ball is incredibly durable and can be used on both indoor and outdoor courts. In addition to helping your shooting skills and range, this heavy ball can also help with ball-handling, increasing muscle memory, and several other valuable skills.
This ball is available in two sizes. The 28.5 inches ball weighs 36-40 ounces, while the 29.5 inches ball weighs 40-45 ounces. Many official basketballs weigh half of what this training ball weighs. Doing drills such as the 4 corner passing, pass and switch, 3 man weave, and middle man passing with this ball will increase your passing strength.
Apart from that, this ball strengthens wrists, forearms, and fingers. Regular training with this weighted ball results in powerful and faster dribbles.
What We Like:
It has a durable outer rubber cover.
Both indoors and outdoors usage.
Available in different weights.
It’s in official basketball sizes.
What We Don’t Like
The extra weight this ball carries can damage weak rims.
No, these aren’t only for playing tennis. Tennis balls can be a wonderful tool for basketball players as they can help you with your hand-eye coordination. There are many different drills in which tennis balls can be bounced and thrown to improve your coordination. These tennis balls can be used on all surfaces and offer a very consistent feel.
They’re much more difficult to control, predict and deal with than a standard basketball, so once you return to dribbling or catching a basketball, it will be much easier. Hand-eye coordination is very important on your journey to become a better dribbler, shooter, passer, and more.
One of the toughest tasks for many new and even intermediate ball players is to dribble without looking down. We’re all guilty of it from time to time and it’s a very bad habit. Thankfully, these glasses can help.
They essentially block out the lower part of your vision, to make it even more difficult and strenuous to look down at the ball. This essentially will force players to train themselves to keep their eyes up.
These are incredibly effective and are made of soft plastic to ensure they are comfortable to wear. They are also adjustable so no matter how old you are or how large your head is, these will be able to fit. They also will not interfere or mess with your shooting or passing at all.
The lower part of the lens has been covered, whereas the upper part is clear to give you a good view while shooting. These goggles are made of very soft plastic material, and they have an adjustable elastic strap.
With these basketball dribbling goggles, you are able to concentrate on what’s going on in the game without looking down. After using the goggles for a while, you will be able to keep your head up even without using an aid.
What We Like:
The Goggles are comfortable.
Easy to wear.
Made of durable material (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer).
What We Don’t Like:
Made of a material that doesn’t dissolve sweat.
Training with this product will definitely help you to improve your ball-handling skills. It comes with four smaller arms, which are connected to a center post.
Once you’ve assembled this training aid, it will simulate a game-like situation where a defender is trying to steal the ball from you. Through that, you’ll learn how to position your arms strategically while dribbling. Additionally, this dribble stick can be used in improving speed and stance.
What We Like:
This dribble stick has adjustable arms.
It has a durable aluminum center post with a sturdy base.
The center top offers a space to store your basketball.
What We Don’t Like:
It is purchased unassembled.
To young players who have an issue with shooting, this strap might make your shots more accurate. It was designed by a shooting coach named Jay Wolf and fits on both arms. Basically, this shooting strap prevents wrist rotation in your guide hand, making it easier to shoot without interference.
This strap’s design is good in rectifying strange shooting styles developed by two-handed shooters. In no time, you’ll be able to get better at throwing one-handed shots. You can also use it to practice layups, it will strengthen your less dominant arm.
What We Like:
Made of a high-quality material.
Durable.
Agility is important in all sports, especially basketball. A large part of basketball is changing directions and making cuts and other quick movements. Footwork is something that often goes untrained in athletes, which is why an agility ladder can be a great piece of training equipment to use. They let you quickly and easily work on an endless array of footwork exercises to improve your agility.
This particular agility ladder is great as it is fully adjustable, easy to set up and put away, and comes with a convenient carrying bag. You can have small or large spaces between each rung and can change it up based on the exercise or skill level.
Track your training progress with this smart basketball. It has a sensor that is tracked by an application on your phone. Plus, the application has a program that guides you during training sessions.
All you have to do is to choose a training program that suits your needs and after training, you’ll be graded by the app. You’ll be able to get information about your dribble speed and pace of a move through the application.
What We Like
The ball is available in both official sizes.
Can be used indoors and outdoors.
The ball’s microfiber cover is durable.
Application has many drills
What We Don’t Like:
The app is a little slow.
Quick dribbling and passing are skills that take your gameplay to another level. These gloves have been designed to help you improve your ball-handling skills.
Your fingers will become stronger because the gloves are heavy, and they add extra resistance. Not to forget, the gloves have an anti-grip feature that forces you to concentrate more on your ball-handling.
What We Like:
Suitable for both individual and team’s practice.
What We Don’t Like:
Weight is more concentrated towards the wrist.
You want to train, but there’s nobody around to do it with you? Well, this basketball training aid acts as your opponent on the court (also known as D-man). This mannequin mimics some defense moves, which are found in a real game.
The arms are kept in an upright posture so that you can take good shots. If the ball touches the mannequin’s arms then that’s not a clear shot.
The training aid stands on an adjustable pole. Depending on the level of difficulty you want, you can adjust the pole from 6.5 feet to 8 feet.
What We Like:
Setting up this training aid takes less than 10 minutes.
It can be disassembled and stored.
It has ground stakes that offer extra support.
Being explosive is incredibly important in basketball, whether you are soaring for a rebound or attacking the rim. Training your explosiveness is best done by using resistance bands. Resistance bands will strengthen your muscles by adding more resistance than you are used to, which forces the muscles to work harder. Once removed, you will definitely notice a difference.
These particular resistance bands are great because of the other peripherals they come with. There are straps and waistbands, which the resistance bands can clamp to. This will allow you to work on your vertical, build muscles, stretch your body and do so much more than just simple and standard resistance bands. The fabric and materials used are both strong and comfortable.
11. Sklz Shot Spot
Simply put, this is a set of five rubber discs that are used to perform different types of drills. If you’ve never found a comfortable position to shoot from, you can use these discs to train. These discs save you from the trouble of marking your court every time you want to practice.
A defense drill such as the zone defense can be practiced using these discs. Coaching becomes easier if you are using this set of discs.
What We Like:
Comes with a digital timer to time your drills.
Numbered to make drills easier.
Running around in the court after taking a shot can get tiring. This basketball return system passes the ball back to you after you make a successive shot.
Hooking it to the rim is quite easy, and it can be rotated 180 degrees to allow you to shoot from any position. If you are a good shooter then this will save your time, and you’ll take more shots in a limited period of time while using it.
What We Like:
Simple to use.
What We Don’t Like:
It’s limited to professional shooters because if you miss a shot you have to run and get the ball.
This is another basketball training aid that helps you to take more accurate shots. Using this training aid will stop you from always resting the ball on your palm when releasing it for a shot.
Your fingers will be spaced properly once your wear this training aid making it easier to take an accurate shot. It’s available in different sizes: extra-large, large, medium-small, and extra small.
What We Like:
It’s made of antifungal and antibacterial materials.
What We Don’t Like:
None.
How to Select Basketball Training Equipment/Aids 2022
Here is a list of factors I believe you should look into while shopping for basketball training equipment, online or offline.
Intended Purpose of The Training Aid
Why are you getting a basketball training aid? Is it to work on your dribbling, ball-handling, passing, or shooting? Before purchasing a basketball training aid, you should know which skill you want to take to the next level.
After that, choose the right equipment to help you get through the process.
Durability
This is another factor that you should put into consideration. Go for a basketball training aid that is going to last for a couple of seasons. Assess the different materials that were used in manufacturing the training aid, and see if the materials are going to make it through tough conditions.
Getting a durable aid will save you from future repair and purchase costs. Maintenance costs will also be very low.
Flexibility
The number of players that can use a training aid at a given time should be considered. Some of these training gears can be used by multiple players, whereas others are limited to a single player. If you are planning to use a training aid as a whole team, opt for one that can accommodate multiple players at the same time.
On the other hand, you can choose a training aid that accommodates multiplayer and individual usage.
Useful Tips and Resources
When using basketball training equipment, one of the most important things is to know how to use it. There are plenty of great training videos online that you can reference to make sure you are using the equipment correctly. Who knows, you might eventually get good enough to do things like this:
In addition to getting you the best results, using the equipment correctly will also keep you safe. Be sure to always train safely and practice caution when using new equipment of any kind. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself and have to take time off the court to recover.
Final Words
As you have seen, there are many different pieces of equipment to help you perfect your basketball skills. These can help you stay in great shape, shoot better, dribble better and so much more.
One of the most essential training gears is a basketball. Training can hardly take place without a quality basketball, and this is the main reason why you should take care of your basketball.
Don’t use a leather basketball in outdoor courts because you may end up with a damaged ball. Keep your ball away from wet elements that may make it lose its grip. Severe hot conditions may also damage your basketball, so be aware of that too.
Play in a place that’s free of pointy objects. Surround your court with a barrier that will prevent pointy and hard objects from getting in the court.
There are many training types of equipment that will improve your gameplay. Choose a training aid that’s designed to improve a particular skill you are planning to work on, and put maximum effort while training.
You might notice some positive results very quickly. Let us know what you think about these training aids in the comments below.
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