The freedom, enjoyment and delight people derive from the game of basketball is not overrated. Many people have much more to learn when reaping the benefits of the sport. Keep reading to learn more about this great sport.
Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball. Bring your ball along when you go out. Dribble as you walk down the street. Remember, if you are directly staring at the ball, there’s no way for you to see what’s happening on the court.
Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. One good rule is for you to bounce the basketball most of the way toward the other player. There are many factors which come into play, though.
Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.
Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. This is just fine. You are able to do a lot with solo games. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. There is no shortage of things you can do.
Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Is there something that you excel at? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.
In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. Know which players are left and right handed. Defense is more effective when you know what your opponent is likely to do. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.
Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.
If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. Your shoulders should always be square towards the basket. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.
Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. If you’re using both hands to dribble the ball well then you can get by an opponent easily. Tie the main hand you use behind your back so that you have to use the weak hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.
Strength Training
Basketball players need to engage in strength training. In addition, stamina is important to the game, too. Even the youngest players need to have strong arms and legs. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. As an adult, strength training becomes vital in order to play your best basketball.
Concentrate your ball-handling below knee level whenever possible. The opposing team will have a harder time separating the ball from you. You need to bend your knees to have this happen, but you will be able to move along the court fast because you’ll be throwing off your defenders.
If someone is shooting from a corner of the court, a missed shot will likely bounce right over the net and to the other side of the court. If that happens, you need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.
If you figure out which hand is non-dominant, make your opponent use it as much as possible. If they’re usually strong with their right hand, step near them using the left foot so that they need to switch sides. Keep your head parallel to their chest and be ready to take away the ball.
Make passing an important element of your game. Passing keeps your opponent guessing and on their toes. It also builds your team’s camaraderie. You can show your skills when the time is right. Don’t worry, that moment will come.
The game of basketball is one that offers great exercise to play and lots of enjoyment to watch. To make certain to extract the full value of basketball, it pays to spend some time learning all about it. Hopefully, this article has helped you do that.