The Ins And Outs Of The Game Of Basketball

by | Mar 17, 2021 | Basketball

TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. You can win a game, thanks to good defense.

To really enjoy the game of basketball, you need to have some basic knowledge of how the game is played. Lacking in the fundamentals? Don’t worry. Basketball is easy to learn and fun to play as you gain skill. Read on for tips you’re going to use when you play, or just watch.

TIP! Never practice only against the zone. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up.

If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. You must do it fast for best success. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.

TIP! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

TIP! If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. This will involve their lower back, hips, and abs.

A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. Playing the game without the use of dribbling is a challenge, but it can help you and your team learn to make more precise passes. Don’t get too frustrated if you’re having a hard time when you start because after a while passes are going to be more accurate.

TIP! Bad passes can be avoided with the right hand signals. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball.

You can learn to trick the opposing team. Give the back pass a try! Use the dominant hand to hold onto the basketball when trying this pass. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. This should help to trick the other team.

TIP! You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet.

If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.

TIP! Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Pay attention to how they play.

Don’t play when you are injured! Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

TIP! If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot.

Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.

TIP! One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. Developing speed and vision is vital to playing the game well.

Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. Do not allow your palm to come in contact with the ball either. When you’re shooting or passing, the only place the ball should touch your hand is on your fingers.

TIP! Watch your own recorded games, and look for weak areas. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve.

If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. Be sure to keep the shoulders squared up to the hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.

TIP! To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else.

Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

TIP! If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back.

To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.

TIP! To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left.

When on defense, try to keep yourself low whenever you can. You will become faster and react faster. Stay in a defensive stance. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.

TIP! You need to take a charge anytime you can. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball.

Never stop your dribble unless you are going to shoot or pass the ball. If you stop, you limit your options. If you choose against passing or shooting, you are stuck pivoting in place. You leave the ball vulnerable to possible steal attempts and yourself open to being double teamed.

TIP! Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. When running in the direction of the net, straighten up while planting the front foot.

Always anticipate where a missed basket might go so you can grab the resulting rebound. If so, you should be able to guess its next location and move to get the rebound.

TIP! Developing your muscle strength and flexibility will make you a better basketball player. In order to play well, you will need to work on both your strength and stamina.

Learn how make your opponent alter their path. No matter what side of the ball you’re on, being able to direct your opponents movements is key to winning. This will allow you to determine the outcome of the game.

TIP! Defensive players need to stay low. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier.

When you’ve got the ball, you must know when to take a shot, and then when you should pass it to another player who’s got a better shot. It is far better to contribute to the winning shot than be the only person involved in the shot that lost the game.

TIP! Do not stop dribbling unless you’re going to shoot or pass. Once you stop dribbling, you are extremely limited in your options.

Not that wasn’t bad at all, right? Now you know a ton about basketball. Use the tips here to make your game better, or simply fix the picture on your television so you can better see the pros in action.