Most people think that phones are only useful for distracting yourself and procrastinating. However, there are lots of ways that phones can be used to make everyday tasks easier. For instance, there are lots of apps that can help people to take up new hobbies, including sports.
Basketball is a very fun game to play with a group of friends, and it is a great way to get some exercise. However, as with anything, getting better at this sport requires dedication and practice.
Practice doesn’t just need to be rigorous, but also planned and coordinated. After all, you can’t improve if you don’t know what your weaknesses are. This is normally where a coach would be able to help, but not everyone can afford to hire a professional mentor.
Thankfully, there are now plenty of apps out there which will act as your own virtual coach. Whether you play basketball and want to improve your game, or you simply enjoy watching it and want to keep up with all the latest news and scores, you can bet there is an app for it.
So get your phone ready, and discover a few of the best basketball apps currently available for android and IOS.
Hudl
Hudl is an app that was originally designed for football players, but it offers a range of features that also make it highly useful for basketball players and coaches. This is a simple video recording app that allows your coach to record games and watch back the videos later on.
As such, it is a valuable tool for teams and players to watch their performance back and see where they did well, and what they need to improve.
As well as being able to record and store videos, this app is packed with features for helping both players and coaches alike. You can create custom clips from your videos, which makes it easier to find key moments.
It is also possible to highlight certain players and areas in a video, so you can single out players and show them what they did right or wrong at that specific point in the game.
The Hudl app also includes a simple messaging service that allows coaches to send clips to specific players for them to watch.
You can break down and record stats for live games as they happen in real time, which makes this a great tool for scouting out other teams to see how they play. This app is free to download for both android and IOS devices
Pros
- Record and annotate videos.
- You can break your recordings into clips for highlighting specific plays and moments.
- Free to download and use.
Cons
- Some users have had trouble viewing their highlights since the most recent update.
Also available on: GooglePlayStore
HomeCourt
HomeCourt is another excellent app that is similar to Hudl in the way it uses your phone’s camera, but much more interactive.
This is a coaching tool that lets you record your games or practice sessions to receive feedback on how to enhance your hooping skills.
The inbuilt AI will track the positioning of your feet, where your head is in relation to the hoop among other aspects of your performance to provide detailed feedback on how you can improve.
It is easy to set up and use the app, and once you do, you’ll be amazed by all the features it has to offer.
Any video you record will show the trajectory of the ball, and offer tips on how you can shoot more accurately to score more baskets.
You can also access training drills for enhancing your game, or compete with other players around the world in virtual training games.
The interactive drills are a great way to practice your skills on the court, and they are a lot of fun to use.
There is also a virtual scouting program built into the app that will record your performance stats for others to see.
Since the app is supported and sponsored by the NBA, this data can be accessed by professional recruiters, who may pick you to join their team if you have the skills.
This app is free to download, but requires a monthly subscription fee in order to make the most of all the features it has to offer.
Pros
- Offers in depth feedback on how to improve your game.
- Interactive training drills make practicing fun and productive.
- Join other players around the world in competitive drills and training exercises.
Cons
- Currently not available for android devices.
94 Feet Of Game
If you’re looking for an app that will help you get better at basketball, then 94 Feet Of Game might just be the one for you. This app offers a variety of drills designed to help you become a better player. These include shooting drills, dribbling drills, passing drills, rebounding drills, defensive drills and even a drill that will teach you how to dunk.
All of these training exercises are broken down into different categories, so you can easily select the ones that best suit your needs.
Each drill comes with a series of challenges that you must complete before moving onto the next level. This is an app that emphasizes mastering the basics first, and as such even the first few exercises can do a lot to help improve your game.
All the lessons are taught by basketball OG Phil Handy, who will take you through everything you need to improve your performance on the court.
The app has a drill of the day function, that will often recommend a relevant video exercise to you that matches your current skill level.
As such, this is a great learning tool that is capable of keeping up with what you know so that you are always improving. This app is free to download, but in order to access all the lessons it has to offer, you will need to pay a regular monthly subscription fee.
Pros
- Great range of drills to choose from.
- Offers relevant exercises and drills that match your skill level.
- Video coaching lessons taught by an experienced player who knows how to improve your game.
Cons
- Can be difficult to navigate.
Also available on: GooglePlayStore
Shot Tracker
If you want a program that gives you detailed advice on where you can improve, then Shot Tracker is definitely worth considering.
The app allows you to record your shots and view various stats about your performance. This allows you to see where you are going wrong, and to monitor your progression as you practice.
This app is packed with useful information on how to get better at basketball. You can see breakdowns of your stats that take into account where you were standing on the court.
With this feature, you can view an aerial map of the court and see which positions you are good at shooting the ball from, and which areas are your weakest.
You can also create custom reports to keep track of your progress over time, and compare yourself against friends and family members.
There are several workouts and training exercises that you can access to focus on the specific skill you need to address.
You can also share your performance and training time with friends, which is a great way to see how your other teammates are performing.
Shot Tracker is completely free to download for both IOS and android devices.
Pros
- Allows you to track your shot data.
- Offers a wide range of workouts and drills.
- Share your stats and workouts with friends.
Cons
- Can be difficult to use and set up.
Also available on: GooglePlayStore
Fitivity
If you’re looking for a simple, general fitness app that will help you train for your next game, then Fitivity is exactly that. This sports app is a great tool for any athlete, no matter what sport they play.
It includes a range of different training exercises and drills, some of which are basketball focused, while others are more about boosting your overall strength and fitness.
The free version of this app offers lots of different workouts that address different skills needed on the court. All of these drills are accompanied by clear video instructions, so you know exactly what you need to do to complete your workout.
If you buy a premium membership to the app, you can access even more training videos and workout regimes that will help you take your game to the next level.
This app has inbuilt digital trainers who will suggest exercises for your daily workout, as well as offering motivation when you need it.
Once it has gotten to know you, the app can offer personalized workout advice that addresses your specific weaknesses.
The great thing is that the premium version of this app is quite cheap, which makes it a great tool for anyone looking to get better on a budget.
Pros
- Simple to use.
- Offers personalized workouts.
- Thousands of video resources and training exercises available.
Cons
- Not all the resources are focused around basketball.
Also available on: GooglePlayStore
Hustle Sports Training
If you’re serious about getting fit and improving your game, then Hustle Sports Training is one of the best apps out there.
This app was designed specifically for athletes who want to get fitter, stronger, faster, and smarter. It’s not just about working out though – it’s also about being prepared mentally and physically for whatever comes your way during a match or practice session.
This app contains hundreds of workouts and training routines that cover everything from sprinting to weightlifting. These include cardio-based workouts, power lifting sessions, and much more.
Each routine provides detailed instructions along with step-by-step guidance on how to perform them correctly.
You’ll find a huge variety of workouts here, including ones for basketball players. Some of these are designed to improve your shooting ability, while others are aimed at helping you become a better defender.
While the free version of Hustle Sports Training doesn’t come with too many extra features, the paid version does contain additional content. Unfortunately, you can only unlock this content with credits that you have to buy in the app store.
This means you may end up spending a bit more than you would with other comparable apps that use a monthly subscription fee.
Pros
- Hundreds of high quality workouts.
- Detailed instructions for each exercise.
- Tools for coaches to prepare their next training sessions.
Cons
- You have to constantly buy credits to access new videos.
Also available on: GooglePlayStore
DribbleUp
The DribbleUp app is an excellent choice if you want to learn how to dribble like LeBron James. DribbleUp comes for free with their matching smart basketball that you will need if you want to make use of the app’s full potential.
Players of all skill levels can benefit from this app that offers great advice on how to improve the essential skills required to play basketball.
This app includes over 100 drills that teach you how to dribble effectively. There are five main areas covered by these drills, including ball handling, passing, shooting, defense, and rebounding. Each drill focuses on one particular aspect of the game and helps you master it.
For example, you’ll find drills that focus on learning how to pass the ball under pressure, as well as how to shoot off the dribble.
There are plenty of videos included in this app, ranging from short clips to full length tutorials. The latter are especially useful because they give you a clear idea of what you should be doing when performing certain moves.
Provided you have bought the accompanying smart basketball, you can access this app for free and start your training right away.
Pros
- Great selection of drills.
- Easy to understand instructions.
- Free access when you buy a smart basketball.
Cons
- Requires A Smart Basketball To Use.
Also available on: GooglePlayStore and DribbleUp
Buyers Guide
There are lots of different basketball training apps available to download. With so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one will work best for you. Here is our list of the most important things to consider when searching for a basketball training app.
Functions
The main thing you will want to think about while hunting for a training app is what you want it to do. If you just want to record yourself practicing and get basic feedback on how to improve your shots, then you can likely find a free app that will do just that.
Programs like Hudl will allow you to make video recordings of your practice sessions, so you can watch them back and see where you need to improve.
When it comes to getting access to training exercises and drills, you may need to pay a subscription fee for an app that gives you access to an archive of videos. While these programs are more expensive, they can give you personalized tuition and coaching that will massively help you to improve your game.
Peripheries
Most apps will only require you to own a phone for you to use them. However, some of the more advanced programs may need you to buy specific peripheries in order to make full use of the features they offer.
For example, the Shot Tracker app cannot monitor your performance unless you install special sensors in the roof of your court as well as in your ball and on your shirt.
Because it requires such extensive setup, this app is better for coaches than it is for individual players, who likely won’t have access to the court’s roof for installing sensors.
Other apps like DribbleUp come with special smart basketballs, which you will need to own for the app to work. These peripherals can be very useful for helping you practice, but if you don’t want to spend extra money on them, then you will be better off with a cheaper app.
In-App Purchases
Most apps will have some form of in-app purchases that will allow you to unlock more features or training videos. Overall, it is generally better to pay a monthly subscription fee if you want to get high quality videos and drills. This way, you can easily keep track of how much you are spending, and cancel whenever you want.
Some programs may require you to buy credits for unlocking new videos. This isn’t a great system, as you will have to constantly refresh your credit supply if you want to keep accessing new content. Overall, just paying a monthly subscription will often work out much cheaper than this option in the long run.
Other Ways to Track Your Workouts
If you don’t use a smart basketball device, there are other ways to keep track of your workouts. We like some of the fitness watches on the market like Whoop, Fitbit and Apple Watch, all of which have some degree of workout tracking built in. With these, even if they can’t figure out how much basketball you are playing/practicing, they can see how much movement you are doing and keep track of that.
Staying Strong for Basketball
Basketball is an incredibly intense physical activity. Being strong is important. One way to keep strong, other than going to the gym, is investing in home gym equipment and starting to weight lift. And if you love smart/connected devices, we’d recommend Tonal or Tempo for your home gym. All are connected devices that really shine at helping you build strength. Less expensive home training options for staying fit for basketball might be recumbent elliptical cross trainers – they work out a ton of different muscles in a low-impact way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Good Training Exercises For Basketball?
There are plenty of good exercises for basketball. The key is finding ones that suit your specific needs and address the areas you need to improve.
Some of the best workouts you can do will involve lunges and squats. These will exercise your legs and improve your ability to run around the court while dribbling the ball.
It can also help to do pull-ups and simple deadlifts to work on your arm muscles. Having more strength in your arms will make it easier to shoot the ball into the hoop from further away.
