Because You Can Never Know Enough About Basketball…

by | Sep 14, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard.

Many people derive a great deal of pleasure from the game of basketball. Regardless of your understanding of basketball, there is always room to gain more knowledge of the sport. Read on to learn some little known facts about this popular game.

TIP! If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter.

Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. Your body can be trained to make free throws, but your mind has to be focused on success if you want to make the basket. Be relaxed and concentrate on the basket and you will help you make more free throws.

Zone Defense

TIP! If you find yourself unable to shoot well, consider your shoulders. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are.

Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works. If you are unprepared, you may lose the match fast.

TIP! The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound.

If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

TIP! Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle.

Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Do you do something really good? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.

TIP! Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. You may find this very challenging, but once accomplished it will give you a real edge.

Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.

TIP! Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand.

If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. Mastering this skill will provide you with a major advantage on the court.

TIP! Keep low as you defend. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. This gives you better balance, while keeping you poised toward the basket.

Consistent Routine

TIP! Try practicing your dribbling while switching the momentum of your body from side to side. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise.

Develop and use a consistent routine for shooting free throws. A consistent routine enables the shooter to have a perfect motion every time. You can shoot better free throws by making sure you use the same exact routine every time, and of course practice. If you break your routine, you’ll start missing shots.

TIP! Create a barrier between the ball and your opponent with the hand you are not using for dribbling. You can’t push on your opponent, but you should use your non-dribbling arm to protect the ball.

In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.

TIP! If you want to play better, communicate with your teammates so you know what they intend to do. It takes the efforts of an entire team to succeed.

You need to take a charge anytime you can. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.

TIP! Switching up your dribbling rhythm can really throw the defense off. Dribble consistently, then break it up by dribbling fast.

In order to confuse the offense, try changing your pace. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. Use this opportunity to sprint past your opponent.

TIP! Learn to control where your opponent can and can’t move. Regardless of your position, having this control allows you to limit the other player’s options.

When you dribble while playing basketball, focus on bending your knees. Standing straight up lessens your ability to control the ball and increases the chances that it will be stolen. Bending your knees slightly can really make a difference in the way you control the ball.

TIP! As you hit the ground after catching a rebound, improve your balance by spreading your legs wider than your shoulder span as you land. Keep your hands along any side and hold it up to your chest tightly.

Basketball is a great sport for viewers and players alike. To get everything out of basketball, you should become as informed on it as possible. This article is a great resource for accomplishing that.