HOW do you improve at football? Take up basketball. That is the advice from the founder and head coach of Oxfordshire’s largest basketball club, Oxford Hoops.

Franky Marulanda, 45, said: “Our 12-year-old players are far more advanced mentally and physically than kids doing other sports because there is a lot more thinking and physical ability required in basketball.

“People who play both say they are quicker and better at football.

“It is an extremely creative sport because you are able to use your hands and feet, you can move anywhere you like at any time, and you have to play both defence and offence.

“When you put all that together, everyone has to be part of it, everyone plays the same roles, and that attracts a lot of people into it.”

More than 50 players have joined Cowley-based Oxford Hoops since the summer games, in which the USA proved triumphant with two golds.

Rising county star Jake Martin, 13, trains with Vale Coaching at Faringdon Leisure Centre.

He said: “It’s fun and I also enjoy the skills side and learning all the new stuff.

“Since the Olympics, I have done England trials and a lot more people have been going to the club.

“More players means I get to have more games and improve.”

The Wantage teenager said: “It’s inspired me to want to be in the Olympics for Team GB and to be at a high enough level to represent my country.”

Head coach and founder of Vale Coaching Danny Taylor said: “The brilliant thing about basketball is the speed of the game and games involve rolling substitution so everyone gets on the court.

“Basketball is a great alternative to football because it is an indoor sport.

“It stretches your hand-eye co-ordination and it is very enjoyable team sport, but you can also practise all the personal skills on your own.”

He added: “The Olympics was fantastic, although I was actually more impressed with the wheelchair basketball.

“Most of the children have been talking about the games.

“The under-12s team is brand new for this season, we have never as had many children as we have now.

“I wish there was an Olympic games every year.”