Basketball isn’t just a sport played in gym or organized leagues. The game can be played at a park or right at home. If you are an aspiring basketball players, it would be a good idea to read this article to learn some new skills.
Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Victory requires the ability to play defense. Without good defense, a basketball team will lose the match.
Correct dribbling is key. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Instead of focusing on the ground, gaze upward.
If you want to improve your game, play up your strengths. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games. Find you best position and then refine it until you are unbeatable.
Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing. By doing this, you will quickly find that players all have their unique subset of skills, allowing you the best chance to see what areas are the best fit for your personal game.
Play games against yourself in and out of season. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. This is perfectly acceptable. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. You can work on pivots and free throws. There is always something to practice.
To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. Whether you are passing or shooting the ball, your fingers are the only part of your hand that should be touching the ball.
Work on passing through your legs to add another skill to your arsenal. To practice this skill, bounce the ball between your legs so that it passes through as you step back and forth. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.
Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you. When you are being guarded closely, pass the ball.
A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles. This may not seem feasible, but once you master it, your speed and stride will be truly impressive. This drill can help you to have success with lay-ups during a fast break.
Can you see well? This isn’t just for reading the scoreboard. Working to improve you peripheral vision will help you become a more successful player. Being aware of the entire court will help you to better anticipate who will move where.
Do not release your defensive stance. Stay in the right position by pushing off of your opposite foot. Avoid getting your feet cross as this makes it much more difficult for the opponent to get by you.
Keep low when you play defense. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier. Stay in a defensive stance. If you break form in an attempt to shot block, return to the proper form as soon as you can.
In order to better your shooting skills, you must practice shooting hundreds of times each day from various position on the court. Try to practice a hard dribble followed by a quick shot. While in the air check out your target, but never before that. Doing so allows you to move more precisely and with greater accuracy.
Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce above your knees when you dribble. Doing this makes it more difficult for members of the opposing team to steal the ball from you. To help this occur, you must be bending, however it will speed up your efforts to move down the court.
Use your non-dribbling hand as a barrier between your opponent and the ball. You don’t need to push any opponents since that’s a foul, but try using your non-dribbling arm like a separator for keeping the ball safe. You should try to keep your barrier arm up slightly when you are dribbling.
If you are serious about basketball then you should be serious about your diet. If you play all the time, you need to eat carbs on a regular basis. Don’t neglect protein and fat, though. Peanut butter and nuts are great choices. Sugars and salt should be used sparingly.
Whether you’re playing competitions, H.O.R.S.E., or pick-up games, becoming better at basketball can help you enjoy it more. Use the information you have learned here. The more you pick up, the better you can play.