Learn How To Play Basketball Like The Pros!

by | Dec 31, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups.

Men and women, young and old alike, enjoy basketball as a sport. People of all ages can enjoy a fun and exciting basketball game. Impress your friends by showing off your moves you learned. What moves you say? Keep reading to learn how you can pull off these moves.

TIP! You have to know how to bounce pass properly. It needs to get to the player at their waist.

Get good at making free throws. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do. Use this technique to better your game. Place the ball right in line with your face. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Shoot on the same path you saw in your mind’s eye.

TIP! If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter.

Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.

TIP! When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with.

Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.

TIP! If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles.

Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage. If you have not practiced against this, you may lose your grip of the game for the remainder of it.

TIP! If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury.

Quickness is a virtue in basketball. Speeding up the temp allows you to out-quick your opponent. In order to play fast, you must practice drills. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. If you play too quickly, you lose control over the ball and the match.

TIP! Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes.

The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. This helps you avoid the foul call and also grab the rebound.

TIP! Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Stay honest when you’re assessing yourself, but don’t over criticize yourself either.

Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice. This may mean you can get your team some numbers for a period of time, or you can do easy lay-ups.

TIP! If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards.

Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot. Don’t allow your feet to cross, and this will make you a hard defender to beat.

TIP! To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Force them out of their comfort zone.

When dibbling the ball, 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. Bending your knees slightly will improve your overall ability to control the ball.

TIP! Can you see well? This will prepare you for unexpected passes and help you evade defenders. You have to build your peripheral vision.

Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. If you stop dribbling, then you don’t really have that many options. If you decide not to shoot a basket or pass the ball on, you are only allowed to pivot on the heal that is furthest back. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.

TIP! It can help your basketball skills when you strength train. In addition, stamina is important to the game, too.

Keep dribbling in the same rhythm, until finally you would like to throw the person guarding you off guard. Your opponent is looking for the best opportunity to steal the ball, and switching it up can break their concentration. Not only the speed change, but the sound change is what confuses them most.

TIP! You can make the 2-3 zone a lot more dangerous by having two defenders stay in this zone until a point guard is beyond the time line. They can then trap the point guard.

If you are serious about basketball then you should be serious about your diet. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein. Great ideas to bring into your diet are wheat breads, peanut butter, chicken and nuts. Sugar gives quick bursts of energy, but you should eat it sparingly.

TIP! To keep your opponent on their toes, keep your dribbling steady and regular, then surprise them. Changing your pace quickly can take the other player by surprise and give you an advantage.

Work together with the other players on the team. Basketball is a great game that can be elevated when the team is of one mind. The ability to intuit and appreciate the actions of your teammates can significantly improve your performance as a whole.

TIP! It is important to eat well if you want to be in tip-top basketball shape. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein.

You have to know how to change the course of your opponent. It does not matter if you are on offense or defense, being able to control where the opposing player goes is very important. If you can master this skill then you determine where the ball is going, not your opponent.

Double Dribbling

TIP! Keep yourself calm when shooting the ball. Focus on the basketball hoop.

Avoid double dribbling. To keep from double dribbling, simply refrain from starting to dribble a second time after you have already stopped dribbling once in that same possession. Once dribbling is done, you must either shoot or pass the ball. You cannot start dribbling again. If you do, you are committing a turnover, and the other team will get the ball.

TIP! Stand between the person with the ball and the one you are supposed to be guarding. In this position you prevent them from receiving a pass and shooting it over your head.

When rebounding, hit the floor with your legs wide apart. Keep your elbows out to protect the ball and keep it close to your chest. Take care with elbows, since it is a foul if you strike someone on the opposing team.

TIP! If a team plays a good zone defense you can beat them with a penetrating dribble. Getting past a defender while getting into a land will make the whole defense shift or collapse towards the ball.

Control your nerves when you are shooting. Keep focused on the goal. Focus on the area of the basket where you want your shot to go. If you’re going to shoot a lay-up, focus your eyes on the places on the backboard that you’re going to need to hit.

TIP! For players with advanced skills, the act of dribbling is a mental and physical ability. Dribbling involves more than just bouncing the ball against the court.

Now that you know how to play, you can be confident when you play. You are now in possession of some of the best kept secrets of basketball. Keep in mind that basketball should be fun at all times. No matter what, though, winning is always a great feeling.