What Basketball Information? Read This Helpful Article
The popularity of basketball seems only to increase as the years go by. However, there are many individuals whose knowledge of the sport could definitely use some enhancement. The piece that follows below is full of useful tips and advice to help make basketball a sport you not only enjoy, but understand extremely well.
When you are practicing your shooting, take the practice shots you would attempt during the game. You are rarely going to be open for long enough to get your feet planted and line up the shot, so shoot on the move. Practice off dribble and shooting while moving for better results at game time.
When you are dribbling the ball, be sure that you are doing so with your head up. If you have your eyes on the ball instead while you are dribbling it, you cannot keep an eye on those defending you. This could lead to them stealing the ball away from you.
Practice lay ups over and over. The lay up is one of the most basic basketball shots out there. And you should never let this easy opportunity to score pass you by. While simple, it still takes practice in game-like scenarios to make sure you aren’t laying the ball up too hard or at a bad angle. Get the rhythm down and practice it repeatedly.
When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. It has to be done fast to be effective. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.
When rebounding, start moving as soon as the shooter uncoils. When you react and move quicker, you better anticipate their moves and get more rebounds. When they start to uncoil, start contact by blocking them out. Make sure to do the same thing on offense since the shooter will most likely try to uncoil after the rebound. This can boost your number of rebounds.
Use two hands when trying to make shots. Have both thumbs on the ball so that they are almost touching. Put the ball over your head but be sure you are able to see what you are aiming for. When you shoot, aim for the backboard or give it a backspin by rolling your hands down while shooting.
Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. Your defensive game will be a lot more effective after you get to know your opponent. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.
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.
Be careful about trying to block shots. In most organized leagues, blocking the shot on the way down or when in the imaginary cylinder above the net results in a goaltending call. This just gives the opponent the attempted points, whether they would have made the shot or not anyway.
A good rebound player can be a huge advantage for his team. Rebounding is about attitude more that skill. Think of every shot as a potential miss and be ready to position yourself to get the ball. Be alert for team members who are in a good position to make the shot.
Speed and agility is important, but you need to know how to practice to improve those skills. Running yourself ragged by training for long lengths of time or by running long distances won’t benefit your play on the court. Instead, practice sprints and other short bursts of exercise. This better mimics how on the court play really is.
Use only your fingertips when you are dribbling the ball. It may be tempting when you are first starting out to dribble with the palms of your hand, but you’ll have no control over the ball at all. When you use your finger tips, you’ll see that you’ll have a lot more control overall.
Take the information you have just learned with you and put it to work in your favor. Getting better at basketball requires hard work and discipline. But, it is also so much fun, and it feels good to get a new technique or strategy down on the court. Make sure you remember the tips you’ve read.
