Get In The Game: A Guide To Playing Basketball

by | Aug 17, 2022 | Basketball

TIP! It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Basketball games are often won by the defense.

Basketball is more than a gym class sport. This game can be played in a park or even in your driveway. Learn more about the game to enjoy it as much as possible.

TIP! Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. Watch pro games on TV, or attend games in person.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? The back pass is just the thing! Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. Next, snap your wrist in the direction you want the ball to be moved to. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.

TIP! Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up.

Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance. Exercise your abdominal muscles as well as those of the hips, buttocks and back. Similar to boxers, jumping rope can better your speed and footwork.

TIP! If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve. Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.

TIP! Practice playing by yourself. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you.

In order to be more reliable shooting free throws, practice your routine. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. By developing a quick ritual, you can help train your body to make free throws.

TIP! Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports.

Be sure that you’re able to see clearly. This is so that you’re able to catch passes, get shots in, and look at the scoreboard. Great peripheral vision is an asset. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.

TIP! If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail.

One of the best ways to always be in proper defensive position is to never break out of the defensive stance. Shuffle your feet in a side to side motion, then use your opposite foot to push off and give you good leverage. Keep your feet from crossing to make it hard for your opponent to get by you.

Strength Training

TIP! If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards.

Basketball players need to engage in strength training. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. It can help young kids get the exercise they need. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. The adult years are where strength training is crucial to maintain solid performance on the court.

TIP! Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. It can be very confusing to your opponents.

To turn a normal 2-3 zone into a trapping machine, have your top two defenders (your guards) wait until the point guard has come about ten feet past the time line (midcourt). Then, they ought to trap the point guard. Have forwards sprint to players on the wing. This can cause the point guard to pass the ball in a way that your teammates can easily steal.

TIP! To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands.

Keep your knees bent while dribbling. Standing straight up lessens your ability to control the ball and increases the chances that it will be stolen. You will gain a lot of ball control by bending your knees just a bit.

TIP! Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent’s play. Force them away from their comfort zone.

If you wish to do better a shooting three pointers, you should do it from where NBA players shoot from. All the other lines are closer. If you can score from NBA range, you’ll enjoy open looks at deeper range than your opposition.

TIP! To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial.

Never stop your dribble unless you are going to shoot or pass the ball. After you have stopped dribbling, your options are quite limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you are going to be pivoting with your back foot. Once this happens, you are prone to being double-teamed and more likely to turn the ball over.

TIP! While you’re dribbling the basketball it is wise to bend your knees. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well.

The hand not used to dribble the ball should serve as a wall separating the ball from the opposing players. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in. Keep is slightly up as you dribble with your other hand.

TIP! Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that.

The goal to improving a game is building conversation with your teammates. A good basketball team consists of players who understand that this is not an individual sport. Offense and defense aren’t up to the individual. You must help one another out. If you communicate your wishes before you go out on the court, the team will work better as a unit.

TIP! Use your non-dribbling hand as a barrier between your opponent and the ball. You don’t want to be pushing any of your opponents (that’s a foul), but you can use that non-dribbling arm as a separator to keep the ball safe.

After catching a ball that has rebounded, land on your feet, spreading legs wider than your shoulders in order to get greater balance. Put your hands on the sides of the basketball and then put it close to your chest. Take care to ensure that your elbows do not strike another player, as this is considered a foul.

TIP! Foster a positive relationship with your team members regardless of whether you are playing or practicing. Basketball is something that can work in a team’s favor if they all work together well.

If you are guarding someone larger than you, try to stay between them and the person who has the ball. This will make them not available for a pass which can help you to be sure that they can’t just get the ball and shoot over you.

TIP! Double dribbling is considered a foul. A double dribble occurs when you’re done dribbling one time and then begin to do it again a little while afterwards.

Make passing an important element of your game. Your opponent will have a more difficult time stealing the ball if it is frequently being passed. Plus, it shows you are all about the teamwork, which your fellow team members will appreciate. You will have a chance to showcase your abilities at some point. You aren’t the only one playing the game.

TIP! For the best balance, make sure you land with your feet spread apart. Hold the ball next to your chest with your hand on either side.

Bettering your game play is important if you love basketball. After reading this article, it is time to put these tips into practice. The more than you learn, the better you will play.