Great Advice For Basketball Enthusiasts – Tips To Up Your Game

by | Feb 12, 2023 | Basketball

Basketball is an exciting sport. But, to become a better player, you have to be aware of certain things. The tips below will help you master your technique.

TIP! Try learning how to hit free throw shots. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t.

Practice hitting your free throws. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. Practice constantly using this tip. Hold the ball level to your face. Your eyes should be on the goal. You should be thinking about the ball going in the hoop. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.

TIP! Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Try doing a back pass! To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Pull it behind you.

When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing. Bring the ball no matter where you go. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.

TIP! Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so.

A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Always be on the lookout for open areas where you can seize easy scoring opportunities.

TIP! In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game.

Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. That makes it less likely that you lose control of the ball. Do not allow your palm to come in contact with the ball either. When you’re shooting or passing, the only place the ball should touch your hand is on your fingers.

TIP! A good player on defense will annoy the heck out of the opponent and cause the other team to get flustered. Get them outside their comfort zone.

Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A defender with an education will be good at what they do.

TIP! The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball.

Build your core strength and work on your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.

TIP! Be sure your vision is unobstructed. This will prepare you for unexpected passes and help you evade defenders.

In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. Thus, if you use your right hand for shooting, you need to push off using your left foot. This way you keep your body away from defenders, your momentum going in the direction of the basket and your body stays balanced.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. Once he passes mid court the guards should rush up on him.

The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Force them to leave their comfort zone. Be assertive and focused within the rules, aggressively keeping your player off balance. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. You should make the initial move and throw them off.

TIP! Keep your knees bent while dribbling. When you stand straight up, you’ll find that the ball is harder to control and the ball will be a lot easier for an opponent to steal.

You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. You won’t foul as you catch the rebound this way.

TIP! Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce above your knees when you dribble. Defenders will have a more difficult time stealing the ball.

Accept a charge when you can. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you. This may lower the other team’s morale, and it gives you a chance to take the offensive when play resumes.

TIP! Be sure that off-court exercises are proper for playing on-court. Running for long distances will increase your stamina, while running sprints will help you with fast-paced moves.

To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. If you wish to get even better at this, try dribbling and then stopping to make a quick shot. Look at your target while you’re in the air, but not before that. This is a good way to simulate real game-time conditions and increase accuracy.

TIP! Dribble with a rhythm, that is until you need to outsmart your opponents. A steady dribble interrupted by a fast dribble will take your opponent by surprise and give you the advantage.

You’ll want to use the hand that you aren’t dribbling with as a barrier to protect the ball. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in. Keep it slightly up when you dribble with your opposite hand.

TIP! You don’t want to double dribble while on the court. You get called for double dribbling if you stop your dribble and then begin again.

Do not double dribble. This occurs when you halt the dribble once, only to begin dribbling immediately thereafter. When you stop dribbling, you must shoot or pass the ball. You are not allowed to resume dribbling. That’s called a turnover, which will result in you having to hand over the ball to your opponent.

TIP! If you are aware of a weakness in one of your opponent’s hands, make them work with that side. Make them use the hand that their weaker with by cutting off the path on their strong side.

The position you adopt before, during, and immediately following a rebound has an effect on your ability to keep possession of the ball. Jump with both feet for improved power and balance and retrieve the ball with both hands. Avoid landing with your feet close together or you risk losing your balance.

TIP! Try to stay calm as you shoot. Focus on the basketball hoop.

When you know an opponent’s weak side, try to get them working mostly from that side. For example, if your opponent is right handed, force them to use their left hand. Stay low and be prepared to block a shot or intercept a pass.

TIP! Learning to pivot is important when playing basketball. Practice your footwork so that you can pivot without thinking about it, and avoid getting tangled in your feet or disoriented.

Basketball is an amazing sport to enjoy. The article also makes it clear that in order to play basketball well, you need to know the fundamentals. Use these tips and you’ll improve greatly at basketball.