Basketball isn’t just a frivolous game. It is a game that can be played in the neighborhood and even on your driveway. If you are an aspiring basketball players, it would be a good idea to read this article to learn some new skills.
Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.
Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.
Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. Practicing these techniques can give you a competitive edge over your competition.
If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.
Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. That’s fine. There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. Work on your pivot moves or practice your free throws. There’s always some work to do.
Never try to push through pain after an injury. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court. You will want to keep extra attention on areas that could improve your position as well.
Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This keeps it under control. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. You should only let the fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.
Defensive Player
If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. A smart defensive player is a strong one.
A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. Always stay ahead of the opposition. If you want to play the game fast, you need to drill continuously. However, don’t try to be faster than you’re physically able to be. When you play too fast, you can lose control and that means turnovers.
When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.
Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If you have an opponent who is guarding you relentlessly, it is time to pass the ball.
You need good vision if you are going to play basketball. This will enable you to make good shots as well as catching passes that come your way. Peripheral vision is important during game play. When you can see the big picture, you can react to anything.
Take every charge you can. 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. This can have a major impact on the other team psychologically, and it can be a powerful play as well.
Defensive Stance
Don’t break out of defensive stance always remain in the proper defensive position. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride. Don’t allow your feet to cross, and this will make you a hard defender to beat.
Whether you enjoy the occasional casual game or compete in local tournaments, improving your skills on the court can help you get more out of the game. If you are going to invest the time into reading this article, you surely want to put your new knowledge into action. As long as you’re learning, you’ll be improving your game.