Basketball training: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What basketball training is

Basketball training works on shooting, ball handling, footwork and defense through drills and game situations. Players book it for individual skill work, to prepare for a season or tryout, or to fix a weakness that shows up in games.

Signs you need it

  • The player's shot is flat, short or off line from the same spots each time
  • The player turns the ball over when a defender gets close
  • The player cannot stop quickly or change direction without losing balance
  • The player struggles to guard a faster or taller opponent one on one
  • The player wants to make a school or club team and needs to show a specific skill

What the pro does

  • Watches the player shoot, dribble and move to find the first thing to fix
  • Works on shooting form from close range, mid range and the three-point line
  • Teaches ball handling with cones and drills for both hands, then adds pressure
  • Trains defensive stance, slides and closeouts with a partner or a coach
  • Runs small game situations, such as two-on-two, that use the skill in context

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Individual or small group training
  • The player's age, height and current skill level
  • Session length and the number of sessions in a block
  • Gym location and whether court time is included or booked separately
  • Whether the trainer uses a shooting machine, video or other tools
  • Whether the player wants one skill focused on or a full skills program

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, length of each and the start date
  • Gym location and whether court time is included
  • Group size and whether the training is one on one
  • Whether the trainer provides balls, cones and other equipment
  • Policy for missed sessions and gym closures

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What does the first session test, such as shooting, dribbling and footwork?
  • How do you teach the shot from the legs up, and how do you check my form?
  • Will you give me drills to do alone in the driveway or at a park?
  • How do you train defense, and do you use a partner in the drills?
  • Do you practice the skill in a game situation, not only in a drill?
  • What is the plan for the next six weeks, and how will we measure progress?
  • Do you hold a coaching certificate?

Red flags

  • Changes the player's shooting form in one session without explaining why
  • Promises a college scholarship or a starting spot on a team
  • Runs only conditioning and skips the skill work the player asked for
  • Does not ask about the player's height, position or current team

What you can do yourself

A player can practice form shooting close to the basket, work on dribbling in a driveway, and do footwork drills with cones. Video of the shot from the side helps spot form problems. Hire a trainer when the same shooting or defense problem keeps coming back, when the player is changing technique, or when a tryout is near.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to train basketball players. Ask whether the trainer holds a coaching certificate and whether the gym requires proof of insurance. Check with your state or local licensing agency only if the gym has its own rules for sessions.

Basketball training questions

How long does it take to see a better shot?

Shooting changes take many repetitions. Expect several sessions of adjusting form before the shot feels natural in a game. A trainer can give you a daily routine to build the habit.

Should my child train alone or in a group?

Solo work builds form and touch. Small groups add pressure and game sense. Many young players benefit from both, with more group work as their skills grow.

Does the trainer need a background check?

If the trainer works with children, ask for proof of a background check before the first session. Many gyms and clubs ask for one.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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