Basketball is a time honored sport which offers entertainment to those playing as well as those watching the game. Focusing your attention on your skills goes a long way toward making you a more effective player. Everything in the article below will help get you started on your way.
Dribble the ball the right way. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.
Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. You need to maintain good balance while shooting, which is sure to produce greater consistency.
Constantly practice layups. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.
Practice using different types of defenses. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. Failure to prepare for this type of tactic makes you more vulnerable and hurts your team.
If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
You can learn to trick the opposing team. The back pass is perfect for this. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Pass the ball from behind your back by flicking your wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This will trick your opponents.
Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. Strength and flexibility in your hands will allow you to move the ball more gracefully and swiftly.
Don’t leave your defensive stance. Slide your feet to and fro or use your opposing foot to push off to maintain your position. Stay low and make it hard for opponents to get around you.
Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. You can try faking a jump shot by planting quickly, and straightening your body. The guard is going to think you’re starting to slow and will straighten up too. Once that happens, switch tactics and move forward. You should go right past them.
You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This is bound to carry over to the court.
Don’t discontinue dribbling until you have the chance to shoot or pass. When you cease dribbling, you’re really limiting your options. If you decide that you cannot shoot or pass the ball, all you can do is pivot onto the back foot. This situation leaves you vulnerable to a double team by the defense, and you risk losing the ball.
If you want to perform your best in basketball, you need to eat well. You use a lot of fuel playing basketball so a lot of carbs is needed, as well as adequate protein and fats. Adding nuts, chicken, peanut butter and whole grain breads to your diet can help. Limit your consumption of salt and sugar.
The game is much more enjoyable if you are able to understand and master some of the fundamental tips mentioned above. Look at videos and blogs, and make sure you read more articles, so you can always keep learning. The more you learn, the better your game will be.