Own The Court! Use These Basketball Tips Today!
Sports are America’s greatest pastime. From the players to the coaches, parents and spectators, it seems a majority of people are involved in sport somehow. Basketball is one of those sports that garners a lot of attention. But in order to help your team gain the wins and get the attention they deserve, you have to bring skills to the court and score points. So here are some ways to get those skills and bring your team to a winning season.
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.
Practice dribbling the ball on a number of different surfaces. As you get used to how the ball reacts, you will be able to adjust your game accordingly. How you handle the ball can make or break the game. Turnovers lead to points that your team may not be able to recover from, so your skills in this area need to be solid.
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.
One of the most important things to understand is when to make the shot. Taking a dangerous shot can result in the ball being overturned. If you do not feel comfortable making the shot, pass it to a teammate and either let them make the shot or get into a better position to make the shot.
Never adopt the attitude that the shoes make the player. The latest and supposedly greatest basketball shoes on the market are probably overrated and not truly tested. They also are likely made in the same factory as cheaper shoes that aren’t name brand. Just focus on a decent pair of shoes and the concentrate on your skills.
Work on becoming a more clever basketball player, rather than trying to master a few clever plays. Your opponents will eventually figure out your plays, but will have difficulty if they cannot anticipate your overall playing ability. Learn to be surprising, quick thinking and more agile in your ability to get the ball and work the court.
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.
You need to take a charge anytime you can. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.
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.
Keep a basketball in your hands or arms as much as you can. This pertains to off the court. Dribble whenever and wherever you can. Just carry a basketball around with you, playing with it gently when safe. You want to be as familiar with a basketball as any part of your own body.
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.
Getting great tips and tricks can help improve anyone’s game of basketball. You too can become a better player by practicing these simple tricks you’ve learned here. So don’t just sit by and watch everyone else, get out on the court and practice those neat little tricks you’ve just learned!
