Basketball is played by people of all ages. You can play this game in your driveway or at a local park. If you love the game of basketball, you should keep reading to learn all that you can about this exciting game!
It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is how you win a basketball game. Even though everyone loves to watch offense, defense is what wins you most games.
Perfect your free throw. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. You should practice as often as possible with this technique. Hold the ball level with your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.
Professional Basketball
In order to be a great shooter, good balance is key. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. Keep your balance so you can consistently win points.
Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Help your team by learning to catch those bad passes, as well as those perfect passes.
One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. This will involve their lower back, hips, and abs. The core connects the lower extremities to the upper extremities. Without a strong core, your performance may be limited. A strong core helps you jump higher and run faster.
When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.
Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. An errant toe to the baseline while holding the ball will result in an “out of bounds” call. If you walk without dribbling, you will be called for walking and this will result in a turnover. Avoid lifting your feet when you are screening or in position for a charge or the foul will be called on you instead of your opponent.
Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.
To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. This balances your body when moving towards your basket. It keeps your body in between you and the defender.
Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.
Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Try making your peripheral vision the best it can be. When you can see the big picture, you can react to anything.
Your off-court practice should mimic your on-court playing. Running for long distances will increase your stamina, while running sprints will help you with fast-paced moves. In addition, lifting weights will improve your strength, and hopefully, your shot. You will develop a confidence and attitude that you make you a better shooter.
The easiest way to do well at basketball is to speak with the team to see what everyone is up to. Basketball is a sport played by a team. Playing is more than just you and one other person. You have to help everyone out. Be vocal on the court to form better communication with your teammates for play.
Practice shots from all regions of the court. Start by practicing grip and balance. Off-balance shooting can happen, but it’s not as accurate. You can use the valve to find your perfect grip. Cover the valve with your palm, and spread your fingers around the ball.
If basketball is something you wish to pursue seriously, your diet should reflect that. Increase your intake of carbohydrates to boost energy levels. You should also consume protein and a limited amount of fat. Adding nuts, chicken, peanut butter and whole grain breads to your diet can help. Sugar can give you an energy spike but it fades rather quickly, so try to stay away from sugary foods.
Always know the angles the ball is likely to take if it misses a goal. If that happens, you need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.
Create a strong team environment on and off the court. Basketball teams can achieve greatness when the whole team blends cohesively. If you’re able to figure out who your teammates are and you can trust them as well, then you’ll be able to take your game up a notch.
Whether you’re playing for fun or looking to become a professional, your game will be much more enjoyable once you’ve bettered your game. After reading this article, it is time to implement the tips. As you develop your skills, you will automatically become a better ball player.