Whether you play competitive basketball or pick-up games at the local gym, you can improve your game. If you wish to learn how to play your best basketball, you should practice often. Go over this article to improve your knowledge to help further your understanding of the game.
It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. You can win a game, thanks to good defense. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.
Dribble the ball correctly. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. This provides you with much more ball control. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.
Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.
Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. One of the most challenging aspects is trying to send the ball to your teammate as they are going for the basket. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. Without a signal, there shouldn’t be a pass.
If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. This is an aggressive sport, and injuries happen often. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.
Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. One simple thing to know before the game is if your opponent shoots with their right or left hand. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.
Quickness is a virtue in basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent. Steady drilling is the key to playing fast. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. It’s easy to lose control when you play fast.
Free Throws
Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. 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.
To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. Your body will develop good coordination and you keep your defender at a distance.
Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. If you are being closely guarded, then halt your dribbling and quickly pass the ball to a teammate who is open.
Be sure that you’re able to see clearly. This isn’t just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots. Your peripheral vision should be up to par. By seeing the court well, you can anticipate defensive moves as well as what all your teammates are doing. Good vision is vital to basketball success.
If you want to make a 2-3 zone into something special, have the guards remain put until the opposing team’s guard makes their way about ten feet in from mid-court. They can then trap the point guard. Your forwards should sprint to cover the other players on the outside. Their point guard will probably hurl a pass that is easy for your own forwards to steal.
Keep dribbling when you’re going to switch the body’s momentum from side to side. During a game, you’ll be dribbling in all kinds of situations. You may have an open court, by you’re just as likely to be swarmed by multiple opponents. This is why it’s important to switch the direction you will be dribbling. This will help get you out of jams quickly.
Stop Dribbling
Double dribbling is not a habit you want to get into. A double dribble is when you stop dribbling, then start again. When you stop dribbling, you must shoot or pass the ball. You are not allowed to resume dribbling. Doing so results in a turnover, which means the opposing team will get the ball.
Your should have good position both before and after a rebound to assure you keep the ball. Use both feet when jumping; this improves both height and control. After grabbing a rebound, keep your landing wide to improve balance.
Your enjoyment will increase the more you know about playing basketball. Continue your quest to learn more by reading blogs and articles that will help you further your skills. The more you learn, the better your game will be.