Do you want to learn about basketball? You’re not the first person that has felt this way! A lot of people watch others play the game and wish to know how to play just like them. This article will help you play just like them.
When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. Many times, defense actually wins the game. Offense gets attention and praise, but when you lack good defense, any team can lose.
Watch your form while you dribble the ball. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Keep your head up, do not stare down towards the ground.
If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong and solid core allows force that is generated via the legs to be used for helpful movements during the game like higher jumps and faster running.
Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Can you get better at something? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.
Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.
Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. If you fall on a baseline, you will be out of bounds. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.
Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. Are you able to look at your skills in a different light? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself. A realistic view of yourself can be quite helpful.
In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position. Stay aggressive. Do not let them call the shots. If don’t play aggressively, you opponent will run you down. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.
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 may lower the other team’s morale, and it gives you a chance to take the offensive when play resumes.
When on defense, try to keep yourself low whenever you can. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Maintain this low stance with arms raised until a shot or high pass is made. You may have to break your stance if you must block a shot, but return as fast as you can.
Be sure you’re doing the right kinds of exercises off the court to help you on it. Running for long distances will increase your stamina, while running sprints will help you with fast-paced moves. Additionally, weightlifting and resistance training will help you develop the muscles needed for those long distance shots. This will also help you build confidence, a key aspect of performing well in any sport.
Serious basketball players take their diets seriously too. Carbs, fats and proteins all keep your energy levels at the right place. One way to keep your body in basketball shape is to incorporated grains and proteins into your diet. Sugars and salt should be used sparingly.
If someone shoots from the corner of the basketball court and misses, it will bounce over the net onto the opposite side. Place yourself in position after this shot is made. You can get more rebounds by anticipating the ball trajectory.
Be sure that you’re not double dribbling. This occurs when you halt the dribble once, only to begin dribbling immediately thereafter. If you have already ceased dribbling, your only options are to pass or shoot the basketball. You can’t just start dribbling again. This will lead to you having to turnover the ball to the opposing team.
Now you should know all about how to play basketball like a pro and enjoy it. Now you are ready to stick a foot in and take on a game yourself. So get out there and start working on your game so you can put this advice to use.