The Great Things That Basketball Can Bring To You

by | Jan 31, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! Practice your free throw shot. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy.

Basketball is more than just something you play in intramural sports or in your P.E. class. It can be played at a park or even in a cul de sac in the neighborhood. Read the following article for some great advice that can help you become an even better player.

TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game.

Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. You’ll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Bounce only at the level of your waist at the side and not in front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.

TIP! You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you.

In order to be a great shooter, good balance is key. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. Taking a shot when you are off balance will probably lead to a turnover. Keep your balance so you can consistently win points.

Bounce Pass

TIP! You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. This all depends on many factors.

TIP! A consistent pre-shot routine when at the line will increase your chance at success. When you stay consistent, you get better success.

Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. There are times you may not find anyone to play with you. That’s fine. Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Work on free throws and pivot moves. You can always practice.

TIP! To be a strong defender, you must have the ability to disrupt and interfere with the opponents’ plans. Don’t let them get comfortable.

To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. Avoid putting your palm on the ball, too. When passing and shooting the ball toward its target, the sole contact point should be fingers.

TIP! Dribble hard if you don’t want the ball taken from you. The harder you dribble, the faster the ball will return to the cup of you hand.

If you experience a slump in your scoring and shooting, your shoulders may be the cause of the problem. You won’t be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren’t in the right position. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up.

Quickness is something that’s desired in basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. Playing beyond your speed cause the game to get out of control with various turnovers and errant passes.

TIP! In order to help develop your non-dominant hand, you should use that hand only when trying to open things, and also when brushing your teeth. Being more dexterous means you will have better control.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. Moving your feet as you are setting a screen or pick usually results in you being called for a foul.

TIP! An excellent tip to help you with shooting skills is to shoot the ball from different spots on the court. Try dribbling a little and pull up for your shot.

In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. This will help you use that hand more easily and improve your dribbling with that hand.

TIP! Stay in communication with your teammates. Basketball is not an individual sport.

Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. This helps you avoid the foul call and also grab the rebound.

TIP! You have to change the path of your opponent. Whether you’re playing offense or defense, controlling what the other player does is essential.

A powerful play called the trapping machine, is to have your guards wait for the point guard to come just past midcourt. The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. Their point guard will probably hurl a pass that is easy for your own forwards to steal.

TIP! Be sure that you’re not double dribbling. A double dribble occurs when you’re done dribbling one time and then begin to do it again a little while afterwards.

To see improvement in outside shooting skills, you must practice your shots hundreds of times daily from various points on the court. An even better way to improve your accuracy is to practice shooting after pulling up from a dribble. Look at your target while you’re in the air, but not before that. You will increase your level of accuracy and create an experience closer to real game play.

TIP! As you come off a rebound, come down with legs that are spread out wider than the broadness of your shoulders. This will increase your balance.

Make sure you don’t pick up your dribble unless you are prepared for a shot 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. Once this happens, you are prone to being double-teamed and more likely to turn the ball over.

TIP! Proper passing is key to a game. It keeps the opponent on their toes.

Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. This will help you learn to dribble during all different kinds of situations. It would be great if you are always able to go full speed ahead, but more times than not you will need to move and flow with the defense in front of you. You have to figure out how you can dribble while you’re working with your body leaning. This will help you in bad situations.

TIP! If a team is good at defending their zone, you need to attack with a penetrating dribble. If you get around a defender and make it to the shooting lane, the defenders will either break their defense or converge on the ball.

Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. Never push your opponent away because that ends up in a foul, but lightly use your other hand to keep separation between the ball and your opponent. This move helps to keep the ball protected and you in control of it.

TIP! What’s your weakness? Make an honest assessment. Practice these moves if you often miss foul shots.

No matter what type of match you are playing, improving your skills makes the game more fun. Since you read the above article, all you have to do is put these tips to use. The more you learn, the more you can enjoy playing and watching basketball.