The number of people that have enjoyed watching and playing basketball can’t be overstated. The truth to this, however, is that a lot of people need to learn quite a bit more if they want to get the most out of basketball. Keep reading to find out great ways to bring your game skills to a whole new level.
Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Look up, not down.
Free throw practice is vitally important. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. Practice regularly and employe the technique that follows. Start by holding your basketball right in the front of your own face. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.
If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Certain pro guards ended up increasing their arm size so much that their shooting started to suffer.
You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. This is perfectly acceptable. It is possible to get a lot done even when playing alone. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. You can always find things to work on.
When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.
Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Maintain awareness of open areas on the ball court that may allow you to quickly score a basket.
Understanding the opponent is a good way to win with defense. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. Smart defenders are good defenders.
The best free throws come as a result of routine. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else. When you have a steady and consistent routine, your muscles will remember what to do to shoot those free throw shots.
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. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. In no time, the weak hand will also be useful for dribbling.
Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Force them away from their comfort zone. Use aggression with your moves. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. You need to adopt an aggressive style and react quickly so you can interrupt the patterns set by your opponents.
Keep changing up your pace to help keep your opponents on their toes. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up. The guard will assume you are reducing speed and will do the same. When that happens, push ahead and run past.
Stay low when playing defense. This will aid you as you jump and make it easier to react to the front man. Stay in your defensive stance. When rebounding or blocking, you break the stance, but then you must get back in the stance quickly.
Keep the ball below knee level if possible. This prevents your opponents from stealing the ball. You need to bend a bit more for this to succeed, but you will be able to traverse the court rapidly while keeping opponents at bay.
Keep dribbling in the same rhythm, until finally you would like to throw the person guarding you off guard. You can surprise the opponent by changing up your dribbling. Not only the speed change, but the sound change is what confuses them most.
Become a better basketball team by becoming a stronger team when playing and in practice. A team that works together is an unstoppable team. If you feel like you know your teammates like the back of your hand, and you trust them too, then you’ll see your game lifted to new heights!
You have to learn to get your opponent to alter their path. It is irrelevant whether you are playing defense or offense; in both cases, your ability to control the direction of your opponent is critical. If you can master this skill then you determine where the ball is going, not your opponent.
As you hit the ground after catching a rebound, improve your balance by spreading your legs wider than your shoulder span as you land. Place your hands on both sides of the basketball while holding it close against your chest. Keep your elbows in so that you do not hit an opponent and get a foul.
You can enjoy both watching basketball and playing it. If you want to enjoy the whole world of basketball, continue to learn all you can. The tips located above will help you become the best player you can be.