Want Some Helpful Basketball Advice? Read This
Sports are a long-time tradition in the world and basketball is a favorite of many. You boys and girls enjoy playing the game and perfecting their skills on the court. One great way to improve your game is to learn all you can about how the game is played and how to play like the pros.
If you need to improve your basketball shooting ability, practice as if you were really in a game. Rather than taking your time to throw the perfect shot, act as if there are defensive players around you, trying to distract you and take away the ball. This will help you shoot better under pressure and make the shots that count.
When dribbling, try to keep the ball low to the ground. This makes it more difficult for opponents to steal the ball away from you while dribbling. Keep the ball low and pass it from hand to hand while weaving in and out through your opponents. This will help you maintain control of the ball.
Do you want to fool the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand. Then, bring the ball back behind you. Next, snap your wrist in the direction you want the ball to be moved to. This is a very useful trick to confuse the opposing team.
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.
It is important that you protect the ball if you have it. Dribble to the side to ensure that no one can steal it from you. If no one is nearby, you can dribble in front, but be sure to take it to the side if someone approaches you or you go for the net.
Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. Although it’s important to have a physical presence underneath the basket, it’s more important that you get in a good place before your opponent can. Once you have a location, it is important that your feet are firmly planted there. Strong footwork is key.
Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Can they tell you what you’re really good at? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.
If you want to improve your jump shot, try shooting free throws blindfolded or with your eyes closed. Your free throw percentage ought to be pretty good before you try this. However, once it is, you can use this technique to really get down a fluid and instinctive shooting motion with your arms and body. Just make sure to do this alone in a gym, as to not errantly hurt anyone or break a window.
To stay hydrated while playing basketball outside on a hot day, make sure you drink plenty of water or sports drink before you head outside, and take a bottle with you. When you sweat, you not only lose water, but you lose electrolytes and sodium. Sports drinks like Powerade help you replace those and keep your edge on the basketball court.
In order to steal a ball from a dribbler without fouling him, start with your hands low and bring them up toward the ball. This way you hit the ball first with your hand and knock it away. If you start with your hands high and swipe downward, you are going to hit his arm and get called for a foul.
Learn how to make the offensive or defensive player go where you want them to go as opposed to forcing you to go where they want you to go. This means that you need to pay attention to your surroundings and watch out for traps and screens. You can avoid them if you encourage your opponent to go where you want them instead of falling into a trap.
Stick with the same routine every time that you do free throws. You have 10 seconds to shoot, so you can use that short period of time as you like. You can bounce the ball a couple times, spin it within your hands, talk to yourself, etc. Try to be creative and find a routine that works best for you. You will eventually get more comfortable with this shot by doing the same routine over and over.
People from every corner of the globe love basketball, both as players and as spectators. To really maximize your appreciation of basketball, it pays to spend the time necessary to become thoroughly acquainted with its ins and outs. Review the points in this article as you go forward, and you will be a hoops expert in no time.
