Basketball isn’t just a sport played in gym or organized leagues. You can play this game in your driveway or at a local park. If you love the game of basketball, you should keep reading to learn all that you can about this exciting game!
Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique. They are going with the flow when this occurs. By learning how to stay properly balanced, you can improve your game.
If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!
Do you want to fool the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Now hold the ball behind you. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. This is a very useful trick to confuse the opposing team.
If you are being heavily guarded, a pass between your legs might help. To practice this skill, bounce the ball between your legs so that it passes through as you step back and forth. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.
To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.
You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Do some wrist curls as much as possible and your dribbling should get better. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. Things rarely happen unless you are actually moving the basketball.
To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender. You’ll be able to grab the rebound without fouling your opponent.
Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. You may find this very challenging, but once accomplished it will give you a real edge. Mastering this skill can help you to really improve your game.
Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. Slide your feet to and fro or use your opposing foot to push off to maintain your position. Avoid getting your feet cross as this makes it much more difficult for the opponent to get by you.
Strength Training
Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy. Basketball requires a lot of sprinting and jumping. As they grow and gain skills, they will be even better players. When you’re an adult you have to be sure to do strength training to do well on the court.
To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.
When you dribble, bend your knees. You will have a hard time controlling the ball if you always stand straight and opponents will be able to steal the ball. You will have better ball control with bent knees.
Keep dribbling until it is time to shoot or pass the ball. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. That leaves you wide open to double teaming by your opponents and the potential of a stolen ball goes way up.
For exercise, do a workout regimen that will enhance your skills and presence on the court. Work on sprints to make you faster and build your stamina. Lifting weights can build the muscle you need for shots and the hustle of the game. You will also gain aggression and confidence that will help you when shooting.
Whether you play competitively or for fun, learning to be a better ball player is paramount. After reading this article, it is time to put these tips into practice. As you learn more, you’ll start to play better.