Most people don’t try to do something unless they have taken their time to learn about it first. Is there really any way that you could become great if you weren’t educated on how to play? In this article, we will discuss some of the top professional tips in the world of basketball.
It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.
Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This allows you to control the ball better. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Always look upwards, never at the ground.
It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.
Bounce Pass
Practice your bounce pass. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. A useful tip is to have the ball bounce roughly 3/4 of the distance to the recipient. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.
Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
Do not wait for any special season to play some basketball. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can still do a lot on your own. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. There are always things that can be done.
When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.
Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.
The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. Your palm should not be touching the ball. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.
Work on core strength when you work out. Your body will be able to move quicker and be more balanced when you have srong core muscles. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.
Opposing Team
If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.
When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It’s quite a play when done properly.
Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. After a while, your weak hand will be able to dribble better.
Changing your pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.
Knowing exactly what you need to do to make your game the best it can be will leave you filled with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. One of these things is learning how to get better at basketball. Learning to play effectively will help you win games and impress your teammates.