Are you a fan of basketball but you’re not very educated about it? You aren’t alone. Most basketball fans wonder about the techniques the pros use to play so well. Read this article to learn some basic tips about the game.
A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Basketball games are won more often by defense than offense. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.
It is important to keep your balance when you shoot. You’ve seen the pros fall out-of-bounds and shoot a basket up to 300 feet away, however, this isn’t proper technique. Those who do this are improvising. If you are able to improve your sense of balance, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.
Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. You retain much more ball control this way. Dribble off to the side waist high. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.
Frequent pass catching practice is important. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. Help your teammates by learning what you need to haul in those imperfect passes.
Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. Your skills might not make you an all-start every time out, but playing up your strengths makes you a great contributor. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!
If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.
You have to know how to bounce pass properly. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. There are other variables to consider though.
When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own. This is perfectly acceptable. You can accomplish a lot by practicing alone. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. You can always practice something.
Free throws have a huge mental element to them. It is possible to practice the physical movements needed to make such a shot, but when your mental focus is lacking, you are likely to miss. Relax, take your time and be focused.
Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. While physical positioning is important, it is even more essential to move quicker than an opponent. Once you’re in position, you also need to secure your spot. Strong footwork is key.
A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.
Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.
Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.
When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Jump rope can be used to speed up your feet.
Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.
If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. This can be practiced by dribbling the ball as hard as you can between the legs while you step in either direction. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.
If you’re quick on the basketball court, you have a built in advantage. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. Playing fast takes practice, though, and steady drilling. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.
When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team. If you do it right, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. Practicing this pass can really help to give your team the winning edge.
If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. You can train for this maneuver by stepping forward or backwards as you bounce the ball real hard in-between your legs. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.
Free Throw
Make layups count by taking off with the foot that is opposite to your shooting hand. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.
A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. The most effective method to achieve a great free throw is by practicing it repeatedly until you get it right. If the routine is off in any way, then you’ll miss the shot.
Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off. The most effective method to achieve a great free throw is by practicing it repeatedly until you get it right. If you are off your game, you will not make the shot.
Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling. Don’t assume that you are able to just stand anywhere, catch the ball and shoot it. It is essential to move the ball around in order to succeed.
Work on making your forearms and hands stronger in order to improve ball handling. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you’re able to dribble in any situation. Don’t assume that you are able to just stand anywhere, catch the ball and shoot it. You must move the ball to have things happen.
Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. You are able to rebound the ball without fouling someone.
The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. This technique will help you rebound the ball without getting a foul called on you.
Dribble hard to make it less likely for the ball to be stolen. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. If an opposing player is guarding you to the point where you can’t dribble well, it’s time to pass to an open teammate.
Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. When you are being guarded closely, pass the ball.
Peripheral Vision
Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. Even the youngest kids that play will benefit from the game. As they age, begin adding weights to their exercise routine. During the adult years, strength training is vital to keeping on-court performance at a high level.
Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. Your peripheral vision needs to be as strong as possible. Tunnel vision makes it difficult to play effectively, so try to view the entire court and all players.
Use the hand you aren’t dribbling with to keep the opponent away from the ball. This is much safer than just shoving an opponent, which is a serious foul and bad sportsmanship to boot. Just keep it raised a little while you dribble with your dribbling hand.
When you are on the defense, the key is to stay as low as you can. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Always maintain a defensive position during game play. When you break your stance to block, return to proper form as quick as you can.
You have to know how to change the path of your opponent. Regardless of your position, having this control allows you to limit the other player’s options. If you can master this skill then you determine where the ball is going, not your opponent.
In order to better your shooting skills, you must practice shooting hundreds of times each day from various position on the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Do not focus on the target until you are already in the air. You can improve your accuracy to help you when the game is live.
Avoid double dribbling. If you start, stop and then begin again, that is double dribbling. When you stop dribbling, the only two choices you have are to shoot or pass. You cannot return to dribbling again. If you double dribble the ball will be given to the other team.
Maybe you didn’t know that much about the details of the sport despite having a strong love for the game. Now that you’ve read this, you should be ready to play just like a pro. So get out there and get a pick up game going and put those skills to use.
Have an idea as to when is the best time to shoot the ball and when is the ideal time to pass if your teammate has an open shot. It’s more important to get the ball to the person who can make the shot than try to take a shot that will certainly miss or be blocked.
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