How To Train Your Basketball IQ

A common phrase used all the time by coaches is you need to improve you basketball IQ. When you break it down basketball IQ encompasses a lot of skills and areas of the game that one can improve to increase their IQ. In reality it is probably too broad of a term and should be broken down and explained to each individual relating specifically to their game. We want to share with you some areas of focus that will help you improve your basketball IQ as well as help you understand when a coach tells you to improve your IQ but doesn’t clarify which area of your IQ you should focus on.

When we talk about basketball IQ we aren’t referring to how smart you we are looking at your overall basketball knowledge and how you apply it to playing the game. There are a few areas you can focus on to improve your IQ.

Basketball IQ Space and Movements

Learn and study what basic movements and spacing should look like in the game of basketball. What do we mean by this? Understand all the basic skills and be willing to use all of them at any time like shooting, passing, ball handling, attacking the rim, rebounding, and screening. Understanding spacing is crucial to you being efficient on offense and a good teammate. Learn to drift to corner on drives, fill open spaces around the perimeter, cut back door when your dribbled at, and understand when to get out of the way.

Basketball IQ & Your Team System

Understand your teams systems and what your coach wants you to do in it. Try to learn your teams system inside and out. You want to be able to know every position in your teams offenses and defenses. Not only can you fill in for any position on your team but you can also help out lower basketball IQ teammates do their job more effectively. Make sure you understand your role in your teams systems and you apply yourself to being a master of that role. It doesn’t mean that your role can’t grow and change but master what you are given now and then watch how your coaches trust grows with you as your IQ increases.

Basketball IQ and Homework

Finally study the game. Watch NCAA and NBA games to learn from the top players in the world. Try not to get caught up in the flash and entertainment side of the games and watch the offenses/defenses they use. Watch players that play similar positions as you or watch players that play the same style that you want to emulate. When watching teams like Duke, Kentucky, and Wisconsin watch how their offenses are effective but very different. You may not ever run these offenses but you may play against teams that do. As you play more and study more you will learn that there aren’t that many different styles of offenses and they copy each other in some way or another. Don’t just watch video of games… go and see them in person. It will give you a different perspective and allow to appreciate the athleticism and skill it takes to get to the next level.  Your coaches and basketball trainers are uniquely qualified to help you train your Basketball IQ.