How to Play Basketball as a Short Guy

The old, and famous, proverb of, “you can’t coach size”, is one of my personal favorite sayings.  While many NBA, WNBA, and NCAA basketball players stand in at over 6-feet, simply being tall does not mean that you will be a good basketball player.

And, alternatively, just because you may be short, or shorter than 6-feet, doesn’t mean you can’t be a good basketball player.  Below, we’re going to go over how to play basketball as a short guy.  While height can certainly help in basketball, it is neither a requirement nor a prerequisite.

And while height can certainly help, you don’t need to be tall or over 6-feet to be a good basketball player.  Rather, working on the below aspects of your game will make you one of the better players on the court.

Can Short Players Play Basketball?

Surprise, but basketball doesn’t have any height requirements!

In fact, being a shorter player may actually be an advantage.  Typically, shorter players are faster and more nimble than their taller counterparts.  This speed and agility will not only help you to weave through the defense but will also help you to quickly dart and cut to the basket for easy, quick layups.

In addition, shorter basketball players oftentimes have deadlier, more accurate and precise shooting abilities.  These abilities can be extended throughout the court and can leave the defense helpless as you rain down threes from beyond the arch.

Be Confident in Your Game

While easier said than done, basketball is as much a mental game as it is a fundamental one.  And one of the absolute best ways to beat the game mentally is to have a confident mindset in your own abilities on the court.  While you may be frustrated by your height,  you should not allow it to hinder your performance or abilities.

Being confident in your game means putting aside any doubts and questions about your abilities and physical appearance.  It also means being able to hone in on the skills and fundamentals that will make you the envy of other players on the court.

Work on Your Fundamentals

While height can certainly play a role on a basketball team, as a shorter guy, you should work on your fundamentals and ensure that they are down pat.  These fundamental skills should not only include your dribbling, passing, and shooting skills, but also your defensive, rebounding, and blocking skills.

What you may lack in height, should be made up for in your fundamentals.

And you should go back to basics to ensure that your basketball fundamental skills are solid and rooted in proper techniques.  As a shorter basketball player, you will especially want to work on your dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.

Odds are, that as a shorter guy playing basketball, you will be assigned the point guard position.  As a point guard, you will not only be in charge of many play calls, but you will also be looked to for guidance on a play, you will be in charge of bringing the ball up the court, and your teammates will expect you to make the open pass or shot where available.

That is why it is so important for shorter players to work on their fundamentals.  Be sure to practice your dribbling, passing, and shooting game.  In practice, mimic real-world, real game situations that you are likely to face.  Learn how to play against those situations and be confident in your abilities to do so.

Have a Killer Shot

If there is one thing that many taller, bigger basketball players are jealous of their shorter counterparts in, it is in their abilities to shoot the basketball proficiently, accurately, and efficiently.  Typically, taller, bigger basketball players lack the accuracy and precision needed to score from away from the basket.

This inability to shoot from away from the basket is a major point of weakness for many teams.  It is also where, as a shorter basketball guy, you can show off your own skills.

One of the greatest tools you can have as a shorter basketball player is the ability to make a majority of your jump shots.  However, in order to do so, you will need to practice your shot on a daily basis.  You should practice daily and consistently.

That is why we highly recommend reading over our review of how many shots you should be taking on a daily basis to be a better shooter.  Ideally, and in our review, we recommend taking a minimum of 250 shots each day outside of your time in practice.

While this may seem steep, the only true way to become a better basketball player, especially as a short guy, is to practice shooting the ball as often and as much as possible.  And while fundamental skills and drills will help with your basketball shooting form, only practicing consistently will make you a better and more accurate shooter.

Develop Your Defensive Abilities

While, as a shorter player, you may feel that your defensive abilities are not up to par as compared to your taller teammates, you would be far from the truth.

Shorter players are generally faster and more nimble in their abilities.  As-such, they are generally able to move with and without the ball faster and more quickly.  In addition, shorter, faster players tend to be great defensive players.  While you won’t expect to block too many shots, you should utilize your height to grab loose balls and to steal the ball from an opponent.

Develop a Team First Mentality

As a shorter guy playing on a basketball team, it can feel overwhelming playing amongst taller players, many of whom may be towering over you.  However, what you lack in height can be made up for in how you play.  And while having a deadly shot and effective defense can help, you should also develop a team first mentality.

This means that you should work on your court vision and look for open players to receive the ball.  Similarly, learn how to play an unselfish level of play, where the success of the team is also your own success.  Not only can you be a good passer, but look to make smart screens, to assist on double-teams, and to hustle on each and every play.

Hustle More Than Your Teammates

And finally, when it comes to playing basketball as a shorter guy, the best piece of advice is to simply hustle more than your teammates.  Basketball is equal parts a physical and mental game and by working harder, running faster, and hustling more than your teammates, and everyone else on the court, you will be able to prove yourself and be an invaluable member on the team.

Learn How Other Shorter Basketball Players Play

From Spud Webb to Mel Hirsch, the NBA has seen a wide-selection of shorter players in the league. And if you are looking to become a better basketball player as a short guy, then learning from those players should be one of your top priorities.

There are a plethora of videos available online which showcase how those shorter players played and by watching those videos, you can help to improve your own game and your abilities.