Practice is the most crucial key to improving your game. It is not only important to practice, but to improve through your practice as well. The tips that follow here are going to allow you to make your goals more often and teach you other things as well.
It’s natural to be drawn towards offense as a novice, but the pros know defense is where the game is won or lost. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.
A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. When practicing this technique, run toward the goal and shoot. Practicing the running and jumping method will help you shoot better this way in a game.
Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.
Practice playing a man-to-man defense and 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 have not practiced enough on this scenario, you could run afoul of the scoreboard very fast.
One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. This may be hard and frustrating at first, but as you get the hang of it your entire team will begin to excel at passing.
Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This will help prevent the ball from getting away from you while dribbling. Do not allow your palm to come in contact with the ball either. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.
Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better. Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.
Free Throw
Create and stick to a routine each time you prepare to shoot a free throw. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.
Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Force them away from their comfort zone. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. This will keep them from being able to choose which plays they will make. The more aggressively smart team is usually the one who wins. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.
Dribbling hard helps you protect the ball. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you. If you are being closely guarded, then halt your dribbling and quickly pass the ball to a teammate who is open.
Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. You will find that it becomes easier to score and make layups.
You need to take a charge anytime you can. This strategy can result in your opponent taking a foul and your team getting a defensive stop and taking possession of the ball. This can have a major impact on the other team psychologically, and it can be a powerful play as well.
Always stay low when playing defensively. This helps your reaction time against your opponent. Maintain proper defensive position at all times. If you need to block the opposing team’s shot, resume your stance as soon as you can.
Bad Pass
Have two of your guards wait for the point guard to go past midcourt for the best results. Then they should run to the point guard and trap him. With the forwards blocking outside, you have a good shot at intercepting a bad pass. You will see the opposing point guard make a bad pass that anyone on your team can steal.
An excellent tip to help you with shooting skills is to shoot the ball from different spots on the court. For even better results, practice the run-up to your shot in addition to the actual shot. Do not focus on the target until you are already in the air. All these techniques give you the feel of actual game play, and this will help you become more accurate.
Keep on dribbling until your shot or passing opportunity is imminent. When you stop dribbling, then you limit your options. If you don’t shoot or pass, you have to pivot on the back foot. That leaves you wide open to double teaming by your opponents and the potential of a stolen ball goes way up.
You have to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are playing offense or defense, it is important to control the moves of your opponent. The will help you get to where you want to go and will deter them.
Take advantage of a player that shows weakness with a particular hand by forcing them to that side. If it is their left hand, come at them and stand on your left foot. Your head and their chest should be parallel so your body is primed to snatch the ball.
Become a better basketball player even if you know how to play. Use one tip and you’ll see your game get better. You will become a better passer, rebounder and shooter.
