No matter if you plan to hit the court or lead the cheers from the stands, some basic basketball knowledge is key. Don’t know the rules? Do not waste time in despair. It is not too hard to learn about basketball. Keep reading for slam-dunk tips you can use as you play or watch.
Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This helps you to control the ball better. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.
Balance is essential to shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They are improvising. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.
Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. There can be other factors in play to keep in mind, as well.
Interested in tricking your opponents? Try doing a back pass! Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.
Practice basketball in season and out of season. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. That should not matter. You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. You can work on pivots and free throws. There are always things that can be done.
If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, ensure they’re training core muscles in the right way. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. The core links both the lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they will have limited athletic performance. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.
Jumping Rope
Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. Jumping rope is a favorite amongst professionals when practicing. By jumping rope, you improve speed and footwork.
Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. You need to really drill to get to the point where you can play fast. Just don’t play any faster than you’re able to. Playing beyond your own capabilities sends the game spinning past your ability to control it, and turnovers are bound to occur.
Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. Utilizing both hands to dribble the basketball and switching effortlessly is key to advantage over an opponent. You can focus on the strength of your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!
In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Make them uncomfortable. Always move aggressively as they try to maneuver around you. Don’t allow them to control the match. If don’t play aggressively, you opponent will run you down. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.
One of the best ways to always be in proper defensive position is to never break out of the defensive stance. Slide your feet from side to side or push off with your opposing foot so that you are always in position. If you never allow your feet to cross one another you will invariably be a very hard player to get passed.
To trap the opposing players in a 2-3 zone, have the defending guards hold back till the opposing point guard has moved beyond the midcourt line by about ten feet. At that point, both guards should move in for the trap. At the same time, have your forwards on the blocks sprint out to the players on the wings. Your forwards should easily be able to steal the pass that the point guard throws.
Switch the weight of your body while you are dribbling. During a game, you’ll be dribbling in all kinds of situations. There may be times when you are covered by multiple opponents; however, there may be times when you have the whole court in front of you. Learning to dribble effectively will help you in many different situations. It will allow you to escape trouble a lot of the time.
To help maintain your balance when catching a rebound, try to land with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold the ball tightly against your chest with one hand on each side. Take care with the movement of your elbows, since hitting the opponent will produce a foul.
Your height has nothing to do with your ability to play defense. This prevents any easy passes that can go over your head.
Passing should be a focus if you want to improve your game. Your opponent will have a more difficult time stealing the ball if it is frequently being passed. Players who don’t know how to pass or refuse to do so may be termed ‘ball hogs’. At some point during a game you will have to show off your own skills. Be patient and wait for the right moment.
See, it really isn’t that complicated. Since reading this information, you know how exciting basketball can be. Use what you have learned here to play a better game or have a better time being a spectator.