Whether shooting hoops like the pros or cheering from bleachers, you should have basketball knowledge to be able to fully enjoy the game. Just starting out? Don’t give up! It’s easy to learn more about basketball. Continue reading to find ways to up your game skills.
Learn the best way to make your free throws. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. Use good technique when shooting foul shots. Start out by holding the basketball right in front of you. Visualize the ball sailing into the hoop. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.
Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. The action needs to be performed quickly in order to be successful. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.
Practice the skill of pass catching. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well. During a game, not all of your passes will hit the mark. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.
Play games against yourself in and out of season. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. That is okay. Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. Many things can be practiced.
Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Keep your palm off the ball too. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.
When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Your hip, buttocks, back and abdomen muscles need to be worked on. Practicing with a jump rope is a great way to increase your foot speed.
One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.
Quickness is a key skill in basketball. Make an effort to do all things on the court more speedily than the opposing team. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Though, you should never attempt to a play faster game than your abilities permit. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.
Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. Also, you can cause a turnover if you walk without dribbling the ball. In addition, a foul can be called against you if you move either foot while setting a screen, a pick or taking a charge.
If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.
Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. You will quickly strengthen your non-dominant hand for dribbling.
The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Don’t let them get comfortable. Be assertive and focused within the rules, aggressively keeping your player off balance. Other players should not influence the plays you make. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.
To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.
Stay low when you play defense. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Always maintain a defensive position during game play. If you need to block the opposing team’s shot, resume your stance as soon as you can.
Not that wasn’t bad at all, right? Given your newfound knowledge about the sport, you should see why so many enjoy playing and watching. Use the knowledge you have gained from this article to enjoy the sport even more.