Playing Basketball Is Fun And A Great Workout

by | Mar 23, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Basketball games are won with a good defense.

The key to mastering the game of basketball is practice. Nonetheless, technique is also important. Practicing poor technique will not help you. The helpful hints in the following text will help you get that ball into the basket time and time again.

TIP! Learn the best way to make your free throws. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard.

Would you like to fool the opposing team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. Use the dominant hand to hold onto the basketball when trying this pass. Now, pull it behind your back. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to land. This should trick the opposing team.

TIP! Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. There is nothing wrong with that. You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. You can practice free throws or pivot moves. There’s always some work to do.

TIP! Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed.

Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. Do you have an area where you excel? They may say you’re fast or that you share well. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! Practice playing by yourself. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with.

If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. When you’re in a shooting slump it usually means that your shoulders are not square to the hoop. Your shoulders should always be squared towards the hoop. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up with the rim.

TIP! When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt.

Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck. Don’t dilly dally, but do complete your ritual.

TIP! Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Do you do something particularly well? Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop your skills to become an all around better player.

Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

TIP! When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core.

Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. Thus, if you use your right hand for shooting, you need to push off using your left foot. This balances your body when moving towards your basket. It keeps your body in between you and the defender.

Dribbling Skills

TIP! Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. Gaining agility and speed will give you the upper hand when playing a game of basketball.

Using a weaker hand helps improve overall dribbling skills. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. You will get new dribbling skills with your weak hand.

TIP! If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

You need to mess with your opponent’s head. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Don’t let them dictate the game. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.

TIP! Create a routine to improve your free throw success. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket.

In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. You need to seek out a way to quickly slide around your opponent and be able to quickly react to the ball. This helps you avoid the foul call and also grab the rebound.

TIP! To rebound a free throw, you have to be quick. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball.

Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice. Mastering this skill can help you to really improve your game.

TIP! Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. This makes the ball go back to your hand quicker, so offense has reduced chances at taking it from you.

When you dribble, bend your knees. If your knees are not bent, the basketball will be more difficult to control. You only need to bend your knees slightly to improve your control of the basketball.

TIP! Only stop dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. The instant you stop the dribble, your options become limited.

To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. To get even better, try to practice dribbling and quickly shooting. While in the air check out your target, but never before that. Doing so allows you to move more precisely and with greater accuracy.

TIP! Work on taking shots from various on-court locations. Practice your grip and balance first.

Practice dribbling by switching momentum. You’re going to be dribbling in many different conditions during a game. You need to feel as comfortable with defense closing in on you, as you do in the open court. You must know how to dribble effectively by leaning your body in both directions. This will help you maneuver around trouble.

TIP! Serious basketball players take their diets seriously too. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein.

It need not matter how much you play the game of basketball, the tips here will help improve your game all the time. Use one tip and you’ll see your game get better. You can get better and better in every way from rebounding to passing to taking the perfect shot.