Millions of folks love basketball. Basketball can be enjoyed even more when you know how the game is played well. The intricacies of the game are nearly limitless. The article that follows allows you to do that.
Correct dribbling is key. You’ll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm. This helps you to control the ball better. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Look up and never down at the ground.
Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.
Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. 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. Those who do this are improvising. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.
Spreading the fingers is something you have to do to handle the ball right. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Keep your palm off the ball, too. Your fingers should be all that is holding the ball when you pass it or shoot it.
Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Similar to boxers, jump rope to help increase speed and better your footwork.
Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. To practice this skill, bounce the ball between your legs so that it passes through as you step back and forth. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.
Practice passing while looking another way. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. It’s quite a play when done properly.
Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you. Stop dribbling when people guard you too closely.
Accept a charge when you can. This play gets your team possession of the ball and a foul against your opponent. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.
If you want to do well in basketball, you need to build your strength. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Basketball requires a lot of sprinting and jumping. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. During the adult years, strength training is vital to keeping on-court performance at a high level.
AS you dribble the basketball down the court, keep your knees bent. You will have a hard time controlling the ball if you always stand straight and opponents will be able to steal the ball. Bending your knees slightly will enable you to control the ball more efficiently.
Keep on dribbling until your shot or passing opportunity is imminent. You do not have many options after you stop dribbling. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. This situation leaves you vulnerable to a double team by the defense, and you risk losing the ball.
Your off-court practice should mimic your on-court playing. Sprints help you gain skill in individual plays, while running longer distances will increase your stamina. Resistance training or lifting weights will increase muscle strength and shooting abilities. The resulting sense of confidence and power will help when you shoot.
Be sure to be well acquainted with your team mates so that you can all work well in cooperation. A good basketball team consists of players who understand that this is not an individual sport. Neither defense nor offense is a one-on-one matter. Players on the same team help each one another out. Communicate with your team and you will have more success.
The position you take just before and just after getting a rebound will play a large role in whether you can retain possession. Use both feet to jump with power and balance, and use both hands to grab the ball. Once you grab the ball, spread your feet out wide as you land to help maintain balance while also keeping the ball tight to your chest.
Keep your eye on the ball, no matter whose hands it was in before it started to move. An important part of basketball is rebounding. You need to be able to get the ball if your opponent misses the shot.
Basketball is truly unrivaled when it comes to excitement for fans. That said, knowing the game is key to really enjoying it. We hope that this article has given you the things you need to know if you’re trying to understand the game of basketball.