Everyone from presidents to working class people have played the game of basketball. Whether you play it in school, in your spare time or even professionally, it will bring you a joy like few other sports can. To make the game even more enjoyable, check out all of the tips below.
If you need to improve your basketball shooting ability, practice as if you were really in a game. Rather than taking your time to throw the perfect shot, act as if there are defensive players around you, trying to distract you and take away the ball. This will help you shoot better under pressure and make the shots that count.
One of the hardest skills to learn in basketball is how to relax while shooting. Concentrating on the back of the rim or where you want the ball to hit on the backboard are great ways to practice this. It might seem strange learning how to relax, but the more you do it, the better prepared you will be come game time.
Jump naturally when shooting the ball. Do not overjump or else you will throw the ball’s trajectory off course. Learn this technique by performing it in slow motion during your practice sessions. Jump vertically and do not release the ball until you are at the peak of your jump.
If you are in a good position to receive a pass, put your hand up in the air so the current dribbler can see you. The basketball court is surprisingly small when you’re actually on it. And when you’re playing in a game filled with ten people, there’s a lot of chaos going on in that small space. Sometimes that hand is necessary so that the dribbler sees the option.
Do you want to fool the other team? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.
Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Is there something that you excel at? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities. When you find out what they think, you may learn a lot.
In the off season, it is important to stay in shape so you can be at your best when the games begin again. Formulate a few goals, but make sure they are goals that you can actually reach. For example, jogging may be a part of your routine. Start slow and then increase your time as your endurance goes up. You are more likely to stick with your program this way.
Never throw the basketball at another player. Even if you are angry or aggravated, it’s never smart to take your anger out with the ball. Not only will you draw a foul, you can also do some serious damage to the person you are throwing at. Take a breathe before you do anything stupid.
If the basketball game is quickly getting out of hand for your team, find a way to slow the pace down. Your opponent wants to keep the chaos for your team going as it’s causing you all to make mistakes. You need to do the opposite. The minute you have the ball, dribble up court slowly. Or take a time out if you’ve got one available.
Try practicing dribbling between your legs. Dribble hard and then walk over the ball, continuing the dribble when it is behind you with your other arm. When you use this trick on the court, you will find that your competitors don’t know what to do to get the ball from you.
Never try to score the point at the expense of shutting other players out. You are part of a team which means everyone is valued. It means working together and sometimes playing a minor part in another player’s winning shot. Just remember that your team can’t win if you are the only one to make shots.
When you love something, you need to work hard to become better at it. This is true of all sports, even basketball. While the game itself may seem simple, it takes practice and education to master it. This article is a great first step, so use the tips read here and improve your play.