Many people love basketball. Whether you enjoy watching games, playing for a team or simply playing in the yard, basketball will always be around. Of course, anyone who plays wants to be a star player and win the game. These tips will help you improve your game immensely.
It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Defense is what stands between you and a win. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.
Shooting Free Throws
Practice shooting free throws. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate. Practice a lot with the following method. Start with the ball held out from your face. Keep looking towards the goal and think about the ball getting into that goal. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.
When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice. Always have a basketball handy. Dribble while walking to the store. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.
To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. They are professionals, and they are able to improvise successfully. Having a good foundation under you while shooting will always yield better results over time as you keep on practicing and honing your skills.
Bounce Pass
You have to know how to bounce pass properly. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. There are other variables to consider though.
Free throws are as mental as physical. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.
Do not practice solely against zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard. If you haven’t prepared yourself for that, you might lose your game very quickly.
Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. It’s okay! You are able to do a lot with solo games. Work on your pivot moves or practice your free throws. You can always find things to work on.
To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. As long as it’s quick, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your “ritual.”
If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. Practice this maneuver by bouncing the basketball between your legs while taking steps. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.
Practice passing while looking another way. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It can be quite powerful.
When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. Your body will be better balanced and moving in the direction of the basket. Your body will also be kept between the defender and yourself.
Don’t leave your defensive stance. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around. Remember to never let your feet cross and you will be a difficult player to get around.
Increase your weak hand’s capabilities by using it for everything you normally would not. You will have more control as you use it to do daily activities that require dexterity. This will begin to spill over into your basketball game as well.
Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. Basketball is something that can work in a team’s favor if they all work together well. When you feel like your team is part of your family, you have mutual trust. This bond will bring your game to new levels.
You can use all of some of these tips to become a better basketball player. Some are quite simple, for example you can learn new techniques and practice them assiduously. If you want to master basketball, practice often. You can build better basketball skills no matter who you practice with.