Basketball is a generally beloved and fun sport. However, it’s not always easy to become a good player. Even though some people appear to be more predisposed to athletic greatness than others, anyone can enjoy the sport and work to improve their own game. The following tips will help you learn more about the sport in general.
It is easy to be focused on offense when you are learning how to play basketball, but you really should focus your practice on defense. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring. The offense gets lots of attention, but if the defense is lacking no basketball team will ever win a game.
When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.
Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.
If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. Muscle flexibility is more important than muscle mass. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.
If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing. If you keep on playing after sustaining an injury, you may make the injury even more serious. If the pain is bad, visit a doctor.
Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Do they feel you are really good at something? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.
Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Keep your palm off the ball too. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.
Core Muscles
When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. Just like with boxing, you can do a little speed and footwork training with a jump rope.
Develop and use a consistent routine for shooting free throws. Inconsistent shooting will lead to inconsistent results. You can shoot better free throws by making sure you use the same exact routine every time, and of course practice. You’ll miss if you don’t have a good routine down.
If you wish to get a free throw rebound from a teammate, you have to stay on your toes properly. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.
Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. You may find this very challenging, but once accomplished it will give you a real edge. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.
When you’re working with defense, staying low is a good idea. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly. Maintain this low stance with arms raised until a shot or high pass is made. If you need to block someone’s shot, quickly get back into your stance.
To create a trapping machine in a standard 2-3 zone, have your two top defenders or your guards wait until point guard is about 10 feet from the time line or midcourt. This can give them an opportunity to run up to that point guard to trap them. Then, have the forwards on blocks run to the wing players. The guard on point should make a pass that can easily be stolen by the forwards.
You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it. Keep it up and dribble with your other hand.
Make sure your dribble is consistent until you decide to shake up the opposing player. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass. When they are focused on stealing the ball, your change in rhythm can really throw them off.
If you’re serious about basketball, seriously consider your diet. You use a lot of fuel playing basketball so a lot of carbs is needed, as well as adequate protein and fats. One way to keep your body in basketball shape is to incorporated grains and proteins into your diet. Conversely, avoid salt and sugar whenever you can.
Do you want to show off your new skills? Consider first practicing the pointers in this article. Go crazy and get the motivation you need to rule the court. Soon you’ll start to see how much you’ve improved because you put the advice you were given here into practice.