No one is born to be a star player. How can you succeed at basketball without researching the sport first? Use the tips from this article to be able to play the greatest game that you can.
Make it a point to concentrate on both your defensive and offensive skills. Focusing only on offense does not make you a well-rounded player. Basketball games are often won by the defense. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.
When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet. Wherever you go, take your ball with you. Dribble while walking to the store. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.
To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.
Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.
Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.
Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. Perhaps you are quick footed, or you are always ready to lend a hand on the court. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.
Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Your palm should not be touching the ball. Remember to maintain contact with the ball through your fingers only.
In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. The more knowledgeable a defender is, the stronger he is.
A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off. A great way to get better at free throws is to practice, practice and then practice the same routine some more. A break in your routine will foul the shot.
Be slick with your feet so you can get a rebound from a teammate. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.
If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If an opposing player is guarding you to the point where you can’t dribble well, it’s time to pass to an open teammate.
Never pass up a charging opportunity. 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. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.
Strength Training
Strength training can be a major help in basketball. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel. Even younger kids will benefit from strength training. When they become teenagers, they can start using weights to increase their exercise. It’s important to continue strength training when you are an adult to maintain your performance.
Always stay low when playing defensively. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something. Be in the correct defensive stance all the time. When you block a shot, go back to a defensive form quickly.
You should keep the ball below the knees if you’re able to. The other team’s players will have a difficult time stealing the basketball from you. This also allows you to cover large distances across the court, which makes it difficult for opposing players o block you.
You need to follow a rhythm when you dribble so you can break the rhythm and throw off an opponent. By dribbling consistently and then breaking it up into a different rhythm that’s fast, you can trick an opponent so you have more time to shoot. The change of sound and speed can confuse the opponent.
Positioning is key in picking up an essential rebound. When you jump, use both legs to give yourself a boost. Once you gain possession of the ball, your feet should be positioned more widely than your shoulders. Hold the ball near your chest and regain your balance upon landing.
When you master a skill, you will beam with pride in your accomplishments. That sense of pride is only rivaled by learning how you can improve your basketball game. Not only will you beginning more, but you’ll show your teammates how good you are.