You probably felt like you entered an alternate universe the first time you played basketball. You explored passing, dribbling and shooting. Sooner or later, you need to seek out new ideas. The advice contained in this article is going to teach you that you still have a ways to go.
Find out how to make free throw shots. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard. Use this technique to better your game. Place the ball right in line with your face. Visualize the ball sailing into the hoop. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.
You need good balance when you shoot. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. This is simply an improvised move. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.
If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. Even though your best abilities might not make you stand out each game, it is sure to help you contribute to the overall success of the team. Focus on the skills you have and work to make them better.
Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.
Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court. You should know if a player is right or left handed. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. The more knowledgeable a defender is, the stronger he is.
Quickness is a blessing in basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. Never try though to get too fast that you can’t make any plays. When you play too fast, you can lose control and that means turnovers.
To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. Following the same routine gives your body will maintain muscle memory for more consistent free throw shooting.
Practice passing while not looking in the direction of the pass. This may confuse your opponents, greatly. When it’s done properly, it will cause the opponents to go to the wrong area so that you can pass to someone that has a good look at a basket before shooting. When executed properly, this is a powerful play.
The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. When making a move, be aggressive. Do not allow them to pick and choose their plays. If don’t play aggressively, you opponent will run you down. Instead, take the initiative and disrupt their rhythm.
You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. In this way you can get the rebound without a foul.
Peripheral Vision
Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. You don’t need great vision just to keep score. Working to improve you peripheral vision will help you become a more successful player. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.
Take a charge if you can. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul. Not only that, your opponents may become confused or frustrated and stop playing their game plan.
Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. You need to learn how to slide your feet instead of crossing one foot in front of the other. Remember to never let your feet cross and you will be a difficult player to get around.
Keep changing up your pace to help keep your opponents on their toes. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. After that, push hard in a forward motion and scoot by them.
Now that you learned a great deal about basketball, you should take your game to another level. Start working towards your goals and you can start bettering the skills you have. Apply what you have learned in this article to help yourself become a better basketball player.