A thorough understanding of basketball makes it more fun for spectators and players alike. Are you not quite sure what the score is? Don’t worry, you can become a better basketball player. As exciting as basketball is, it’s also an easy sport to learn. Read on and gather up some fun tips to help you better your skills and make the game more fun to watch.
Many people forget that defense is as important as offense during practice. Many times, defense actually wins the game. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.
Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Carry your basketball everywhere. Practice in your home and wherever you walk. Always look ahead when you are dribbling the ball.
If you want to improve your game, play up your strengths. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Learn what your strengths are, then practice to perfection!
Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail. Stay focused and vigilant to improve your ability to make free throws.
A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area. By doing this, you will quickly find that players all have their unique subset of skills, allowing you the best chance to see what areas are the best fit for your personal game.
Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. Watch pro games on TV, or attend games in person. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.
To learn how to pass well, drill without dribbling. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.
To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. It’s frustrating to pass to your teammate at the very moment they’re heading toward the basket. Hand signals can be a great way to find out if a teammate will be able to receive your pass. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.
Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. You can get around that when you use hand signals, if a player can receive a pass. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.
If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are. Your shoulders should be facing the hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.
Quality footwork will help you get better shots. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. Once there, you have to firmly claim the area as your own. Both skills rely on some solid footwork.
To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.
If you experience a basketball injury, don’t keep playing. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. If you continue playing, you could make the injury even worse. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Utilizing both hands to dribble the basketball and switching effortlessly is key to advantage over an opponent. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.
Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Study video tape on your opponent and read over any scouting reports. Learn who the left handed players are and who the right handed ones are. If you know their game, you can defend against it. The more knowledgeable a defender is, the stronger he is.
You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Make them feel uncomfortable and to where they’re second guessing their next move. Make assertive moves, keeping your opponent unsure of your next move. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. If you allow this, they will run over you. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.
A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. Inconsistency will ruin your shots. You should work on your free throw techniques as much as possible until they become a second nature. If your routine is off, then you will miss the shot.
Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Don’t stay stopped; always move around the court. While this does happen on occasion, you should be moving in order to execute the play.
To be a strong defender, you must have the ability to disrupt and interfere with the opponents’ plans. Force them into an uncomfortable zone. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Other players should not influence the plays you make. If you let them control the game, you will lose. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.
You want to strive in practice to bring the ball all the way up the court in no more than five dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. This can mean easy lay-ups on fast breaks, or just give your team numbers for a moment.
To improve ball handling, consider focusing workouts on your forearms and hands. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling. Do not remain in one place. It’s not likely that you will be able to successfully catch and shoot without moving. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.
Don’t leave your defensive stance. Slide your feet from side to side or push off with your opposing foot so that you are always in position. If you never allow your feet to cross one another you will invariably be a very hard player to get passed.
Don’t discontinue dribbling until you have the chance to shoot or pass. If you stop, you limit your options. If you opt to not pass or shoot, you’re left with pivoting on your back foot. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and try get the ball away from you.
When on defense, try to keep yourself low whenever you can. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something. You always want to have a strong defensive stance on the court. You may have to break your stance if you must block a shot, but return as fast as you can.
When dribbling, use your other arm to create a wall between you and your opponent. Don’t push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you can use your arm as separator between your opponent and the ball. Simply elevate it slightly as you dribble.
Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. If you gain more mastery of it in all walks of life, you improve overall control. This will make you a force to be reckoned with on the court.
It is important to eat well if you want to be in tip-top basketball shape. If you want to have plenty of energy to play, you should take in plenty of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and lean sources of protein. Some good things to add to a diet would be peanut butter, nuts, chicken, and wheat breads. Salt and sugars should only been eaten rarely.
Keep on dribbling until your shot or passing opportunity is imminent. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you opt to not pass or shoot, you’re left with pivoting on your back foot. That will allow your opponents to double team you and potentially steal the ball.
If you already know that the ball handler has a weak side, try to force the use of it. If they’re right handed, step into them using your left foot; this will force them to switch sides. Keep your head parallel to their chest and be ready to take away the ball.
To help ward off your opponent, practice using your other hand to help shield him away from you. Be careful not to push your opponent or you may get a foul. Just keep it up slightly while dribbling with the other hand.
Penetrating dribbling is essential to defeating the zone defense. Passing a defender with the ball causes the defenders to collapse inward. If you’re far enough inside the paint, try the shot. However, if one of your teammates is wide open then quickly pass them the ball for an easier shot.
It’s not that hard. After taking in the above article you should be aware of the incredible amount of joy it brings to people. Use the information presented here to become better at playing or watching basketball.
Recognizes your weaknesses. Be honest with yourself. If you commonly miss free throws, work on these more than you do on three point shots. If you need work in the paint, toughen up and hit the weights harder. Address your weak spots, and become a well-rounded player.
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