Basketball is an old sport, originating with Dr. James Naismith in 1891. Since that time, it’s exploded into a beloved sport by many. Players such as Julius Erving. From Kareem Abdul Jabaar to Michael Jordan and Ervin “Magic” Johnson, it has truly become a game of celebrities. If you would like to read more about what made them successful, continue to the article below.
Correct dribbling is key. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. This will give you better control of the basketball. Dribble off to the side waist high. Always look upwards, never at the ground.
Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Dribble while walking to the store. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.
Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are many factors which come into play, though.
Practice Catching
Practice catching passes as often as you can. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.
You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.
Quality footwork will help you get better shots. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. When you are in position, you must secure your spot. Expert footwork is the key to these skills.
Never play through an injury on the court. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing. Trying to play while injured will just make your situation worse. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.
Figuring out the opponent is a great way to do well against a tight defense. You should be look at scouting reports, practicing techniques and watch tapes. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. If you know their game, you can defend against it. The more knowledgeable a defender is, the stronger he is.
Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.
Continuously dribble the ball until you have an opening to pass it to one of your teammates, or you are prepared to shoot. You do not have many options after you stop dribbling. Aside from using your back foot to pivot, you have very little freedom. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and try get the ball away from you.
Use workouts to better your game. Running sprints helps you get faster for individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina. Working out with weights helps to improve your muscles and the physical part of the game. Building your muscles and your confidence will help you game in many ways.
The basic requirements for a basketball game are relatively modest. A handul of players, a solid court, and a net are the only things needed to play. A strong knowledge is required if you want to play it well. Start with the tips presented here and continue to add to your knowledge of basketball.