Best Tips On Becoming A Great Basketball Player
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, make sure that you practice shots that you may be required to make during a game. You should try to shoot the ball while moving around, standing still, and right after you receive a pass. You can have someone toss you a ball while you’re running in order to practice taking a shot after the ball has been passed to you.
Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.
Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. Understanding the intricacies of the game will make you a better player.
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.
Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! It is important that you see how other people play the game. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.
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.
Ball control is an essential skill for good basketball playing. One simple drill to improve your control is to use a ball in each hand for dribbling practice. Bounce one ball first and then just a second after, bounce the other. Alternate the bounce as you move down the court. As you gain more control, pick up the pace.
A player’s free-throw percentage is generally much higher than their field goal percentage. While part of this has to do with being in action with defenders right on you when shooting field goals, the other part is the dedicated form and practice put into this “free” shot. Be sure you spend some time practicing your free throws during each practice.
Proper aim is crucial when trying to make baskets. Ideally, you should aim for the small square found on the backboard. Doing this increases your chances of the ball actually going down the basket. Avoid trying to aim for the next; you are less likely to be successful when doing so.
Keeping calm and reacting maturely to getting beat is as important to your game as anything else. If your opponent has played harder and has out-hustled you, don’t get upset or stressed out, as your game will only suffer. Instead, think about how to match the intensity of your opponent. Beat them at their own game.
A great way to practice the fast break is to get the ball up the court in less than five dribbles. It may seem impossible, but the more you practice this rule, the easier it becomes. During game time you will notice yourself using this to your advantage during the fast break.
To trap the opposing players in a 2-3 zone, have the defending guards hold back till the opposing point guard has moved beyond the midcourt line by about ten feet. At this point, your guards must rush the point guard thus trapping him. At the same time, have your forwards on the blocks sprint out to the players on the wings. This will likely cause the point guard to make a high, short pass, which your forwards will steal quite easily.
All you need to get started playing basketball is a ball and a court. Once you get started in this sport, you may find you have developed a lifelong love of the game. With the advice that you have read in this article, you can show off your skills any time you want.
