The sport of basketball is extremely popular. You can see kids and adults playing at playgrounds, the gym or in their very own driveway. Players want to become better, of course. These tips will help you improve your game immensely.
It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.
Free Throws
Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. 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. Relax and focus on your shot, and you can make it.
You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage. Practicing these techniques can give you a competitive edge over your competition.
One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills. Don’t get discouraged if it is hard initially’ because the gains you will make are sure to be worthwhile.
When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Give your hips, buttocks, back and stomach a workout. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.
You need to be quick to play good basketball. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. Don’t play too fast and risk your chances. Playing beyond your speed cause the game to get out of control with various turnovers and errant passes.
A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Do you see anything you could do differently? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself. It is prudent that you look at yourself as others do and not as how you would like to be.
Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. In no time, the weak hand will also be useful for dribbling.
Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. Don’t just think you can place yourself in one spot, wait for the ball then hoist up a shot. Learning how to pass the ball ensures that you can get the ball safely to a teammate who has better position on the court.
Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. You will need to learn how to push the basketball in front of you while making long strides. It can mean easier lay-ups when dealing with fast breaks and it can help your teammates for just a moment.
Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. You can try faking a jump shot by planting quickly, and straightening your body. This will make the guard think you’re slowing down, then they will straighten their body too. When they do, try pushing forward hard and running right past them.
There are several ways you can improve your basketball skills. Most of them are just basically learning a particular technique, then practicing that technique until you can do it in your sleep. Practice is the key to learning anything, so practice often to help improve your game. Regardless of whether or not you play on a team or a playground, these tips will make your game better.