One of the many problems local or street players face is the unavailability of a proper place to practice; a court where they can test and improve their skills.
They do not have the privilege of pursuing their dreams or careers in the sport. The lack of resources de-motivates them and subsequently, they detach themselves from the game.
However, you might have heard, “where there is a will, there is a way.” An enthusiastic basketball player can always find a place to practice and polish his skills.
So, in this article, we will provide you with a list of places to hold your practice sessions.
4 Places to Practice Basketball
Local Basketball Courts
Local basketball courts are a great place to practice the game without any restrictions. They are available to the local public and residents of an area at no cost.
You may be able to find a basketball court in almost every locality in the US (as basketball resides in the hearts of Americans).
But if you live in a small city such as Savannah or Beaufort, finding a local court can be tricky. If that is the case, don’t worry, we have other options for you as well!
However, you must keep in mind that these basketball courts are mostly full and available on a first-come-first-get basis. As a result, you have to be an early bird if you want to get in a full day of practice.
Aside from that, these basketball courts are great socializing pubs as well. So, if you’re new in a state like Virginia, make sure to head out there and make some friends!
Community Centers
If you reside in an area with no basketball courts available for residents, there must be a community center nearby.
Then, all you have to do is find that center, get yourself enrolled, and start playing. Yup! It’s that easy.
There are several community centers in almost every state in the US that encourage sports, especially basketball. Most of these centers don’t have strict requirements or expensive fee structures.
Therefore, these community centers can be a great place for you to observe and learn from other members. You may be able to find many sports players in these centers and learn new techniques from them.
For example, the YMCA is the most famous community center in the US that attracts hundreds of basketball players and allows them to enhance their skills.
Open Gymnasium
Another option available at times is the open gymnasium offered by schools. Although it isn’t as common as a local basketball court or community center, it isn’t too rare either.
Regardless, if you are fortunate enough to have this option available nearby, we recommend you take advantage of the space and practice there all you want.
These gymnasiums are professionally designed for students to practice and can be an excellent area to learn new techniques and hone their skills.
A downside is that most open gymnasiums are not open from dawn till dusk. Instead, schools often allot a period for which you can use the gymnasium.
In most cases, these gymnasiums are open after school hours and can be accessed for a few hours into the evening.
DIY Basketball Station/Mini Court
If you don’t have access to any of the above facilities, you’re left to make a DIY basketball station or a mini court.
The ideal place to build one is in your backyard or driveway, right beside your house. This will be more convenient for you as you won’t have to walk a mile to get to the court.
Moreover, you can even call yourself a filthy rich kid who has a basketball court in his house!
You will need a few things to come up with this DIY court. These include a portable or in-ground basketball hoop, a flat surface, and of course, a basketball.
However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can go for a mounting hoop instead.
Now all that’s left to do is fix all these things in place and start sweating.
Here's our complete guide on DIY your own backyard basketball court.
Conclusion: Places to Practice Ball
It can be challenging to find a decent place to practice basketball.
This isn’t exclusive to a particular sport, as it can be a problem for any sports player.
For example, many swimmers do not have a swimming pool to practice in, soccer players do not have a proper ground to play on, and basketball players do not have a court where they can practice and improve their skills.
The lack of resources de-motivates them from playing.
But, resources are available if you promise to struggle. Moreover, you can create opportunities for yourself with whatever you have got around you.
Let’s start with the most significant resource you need for basketball, which is a place to practice the game.
The locations mentioned above are the most widely accessible to everyone in almost every city.
Still, if you can't find a space to practice in peace, you can make a DIY basketball station in your own home. After all, what could be more enjoyable than waking up every day and playing basketball?