It is no wonder why so many people enjoy basketball so much; it’s a fast-paced, exciting sport. However, to play the best you can, you must learn some things. You can find the following information to be quite helpful.
Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. Even though a professional can hit all sorts of crazy off-balance shots, it is not the ideal method of shooting that you want to learn. They improvise to do that. Consider proper balance when you shoot, and eventually you’ll consistently make baskets.
Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist. Remember you should bounce the ball approximately three-quarters of the distance between yourself and the receiving player. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.
Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Take a deep breathe, relax and block out all outside distractions before taking the shot.
Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.
Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.
Basketball players must be fast. Make an effort to do all things on the court more speedily than the opposing team. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.
To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.
If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage.
Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. You will improve dribbling with your weak hand soon enough.
To improve ball handling, consider focusing workouts on your forearms and hands. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling. Don’t stay stopped; always move around the court. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.
Strength Training
You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. In order to play well, you will need to work on both your strength and stamina. Even young children can benefit from strength training. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. Continue training throughout the adult years to maintain a constant performance.
Use a 2-3 zone as a way to trap opponents. You can do this by having guards wait for the point guard to come at least 10 feet past midcourt. They should then trap the point guard. Your forwards can sprint to block the player on both sides. Your point guard must then launch a pass in a way that is easy for your forwards to steal.
Bend your knees when dribbling the basketball. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well. Bending your knees will make a big difference in the way you can control the ball.
Cease Dribbling
Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. You are limited once you cease dribbling. Aside from using your back foot to pivot, you have very little freedom. The opposition will cling onto you like a magnet.
Use the hand you aren’t dribbling with to keep the opponent away from the ball. This keeps your opponent from being able to steal the ball. When dribbling, use it as a shield.
If you’re determined to do good at basketball, then you have to watch your diet. If you’re playing regularly, you need energy-loaded carbs as well as some fat and protein. You want to make sure that your body has enough energy to keep going; think about eating chicken, nuts and whole grain bread. Stay away from salt and sugar as much as possible.
Create a strong team environment on and off the court. Basketball games gain a new intensity when players can work as one effortlessly. If you feel like you know your teammates like the back of your hand, and you trust them too, then you’ll see your game lifted to new heights!
When coming down from a rebound catch, try to land and spread your legs wider than your shoulder span to better your balance. Have your hands on both sides of the ball. Also, be sure to hold it against your chest tightly. Take care with the movement of your elbows, since hitting the opponent will produce a foul.
Part of being a great basketball player is knowing when it is time to give the ball to someone else. It’s preferable to assist the winning goal, rather than be the sole reason a basket was missed,
Clearly, basketball has the potential to be incredibly enjoyable. This article has give you the knowledge you need to play better. Use what you’ve learned here to become the basketball player you want to be.