Because You Can Never Know Enough About Basketball…

by | Sep 22, 2021 | Basketball

TIP! Dribble the ball correctly. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling.

Basketball isn’t just a frivolous game. It can be played anywhere there is open space. If your passion is basketball, take the time to read the following article to learn more about the sport.

TIP! Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling.

It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. Defense is how you win a basketball game. Offense may score points but defense keeps the other team from scoring points that your team will have to match.

TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling.

If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover. That action has to be done fast to be successful. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.

TIP! You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard.

Free throws are mental as well as physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.

TIP! Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play.

Don’t pump a lot of iron if you wish to become a jump shooter. Even though having strong muscles is great for the inside game, being on the outside it can harm you when shooting the ball. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? You should try a back pass. To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand.

Want to trick the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. The next step is pull the basketball behind the back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. This helps trick your opponents.

TIP! Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team.

Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. That is not a problem. You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. You can always practice something.

Core Muscles

TIP! Have your team mates critique your playing skills. What areas are your strong points? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet.

Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. Your performance is going to be sub-par if you don’t have strengthened core muscles. Strong core muscles help you with many movements associated with basketball.

TIP! Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. It can be very confusing to your opponents.

Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass. If you walk without dribbling, you will be called for walking and this will result in a turnover. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

TIP! To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer.

Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Be honest with yourself, but avoid being too critical. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

TIP! A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Get them outside their comfort zone.

For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. When you have a steady and consistent routine, your muscles will remember what to do to shoot those free throw shots.

TIP! Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling.

If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. When you get this move down, you will have an advantage.

TIP! You need to take charge when the opportunity presents itself. This strategy can result in your opponent taking a foul and your team getting a defensive stop and taking possession of the ball.

You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. Then you gain the ball without the foul.

TIP! Practice dribbling by switching momentum. You’re going to be dribbling in many different conditions during a game.

To turn a normal 2-3 zone into a trapping machine, have your top two defenders (your guards) wait until the point guard has come about ten feet past the time line (midcourt). Then, they need to run at the point guard to trap him. While this is happening, your forwards must sprint toward players in the wings. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.

TIP! Be sure your exercise off the court is going to help you on the court. Sprints help you gain skill in individual plays, while running longer distances will increase your stamina.

Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you. This will start to appear in the game of basketball, too.

TIP! Dribble in a rhythmic way until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard. Changing your pace can confuse them.

No matter what kind of basketball you play, you will enjoy it more with more skills. After reading this article, it is time to put that knowledge to work. If you learn new skills, your game will improve.