
Basketball begins as a new adventure for most. You were learning how to pass, dribble, and shoot. Now, you might even feel as though you have mastered the sport. The advice contained in this article is going to teach you that you still have a ways to go.
It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.
You should often work on your layups. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.
A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. Each player has their strengths and you can learn a lot from each one.
Do not only practice zone defense plays. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. Failure to prepare for this type of tactic makes you more vulnerable and hurts your team.
A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Don’t get upset if it seems hard, this will improve your team’s passes over time.
Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.
Core Muscles
If you have a child that is strength training for basketball, their core muscles should be properly developed. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles. Your performance is going to be sub-par if you don’t have strengthened core muscles. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.
Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. Know which players are left and right handed. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.
It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.
If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Be honest when assessing, but avoid being overly critical. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.
To improve ball handling, consider focusing workouts on your forearms and hands. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. You have to start moving the basketball around to get things to happen.
Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. This can seem impossible, but if you do it, you’ll get incredible speed and length. It can mean easier lay-ups when dealing with fast breaks and it can help your teammates for just a moment.
With all the advice you have now, there is no limit to where you can go. Set goals for yourself, and be sure you practice, practice, practice! When you add in these tips and start using them within your strategy, your game will start to show the improvements you always wanted to see.