Many people love basketball. Whether is it the watching the championships, playing on a team of your own or just shooting hoops in your own yard, basketball is definitely here to stay. If you enjoy playing the game, no doubt you want to show your best on the court at all times. While you can’t win them all, you sure can bring your game to the next level.
Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Bring your ball along when you go out. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.
Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.
Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong. Using signals helps communicate passes with your team. Without a signal, you should not attempt to pass the ball to a player.
A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. You will enjoy greater court awareness and avoid feeling surprised by rapid changes in game play. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.
In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. Keep your palm off the ball too. Fingers should be the only point of contact as you pass or shoot the ball at its target.
Work on core strength when you work out. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.
Free Throws
Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot. However, they need to be the same combination of movements each time. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.
Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back. This technique can really throw off defenders.
Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If you are being guarded closely, bring your dribbling to an end and pass the ball to another open team member.
Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. If you are able to become more dexterous in terms of your weaker hand in general life, you’re going to have better control of it. Your basketball skills will benefit.
Keep your knees bent while dribbling. If you are standing up straight, you will have more difficulty controlling the ball. You will gain a lot of ball control by bending your knees just a bit.
Always set your three-point shooting practice goal at the official NBA distance. All the other lines are closer. If you can hit from NBA range, you can get open looks at a deeper range than a defense is probably going to mind you (until you start hitting).
Avoid dribbling above your knees. In this way, opposing team members will have difficulty stealing the ball. This also allows you to cover large distances across the court, which makes it difficult for opposing players o block you.
If you want to play better, communicate with your teammates so you know what they intend to do. Basketball is a sport played by a team. Playing is more than just you and one other person. The whole team has to work together. Speak to others and tell them when you’ll need help so everyone can play better.
Basketball Valve
You should spend some time shooting from various places on the court. You need to practice your grip and balance. Shooting when you are not in balance is less accurate, but it is possible. To get a perfect grip, use the basketball valve as a point of reference. Cover the basketball valve with your palm and spread your fingers. This will center your hand on the ball.
Diet is essential when it comes to playing ball. If you’re playing regularly, you need energy-loaded carbs as well as some fat and protein. Improve your game through improving your diet. Good choices include chicken, whole wheat, peanut butter, and other nut based foods. Try not to use too much salt or sugar.
Clearly, there are quite a few ways to help yourself play a better game. Many techniques can be mastered easily through repetition. Anytime you practice it makes you a better player, and whenever you have the opportunity to do so, do it. Whether it is practice with your team, playing a pickup game with friends or even just playing with younger players for fun, it all adds up to better skills and sharing the love of basketball.