Basketball is a game that can be enjoyed by anyone. People of any age or gender enjoy playing this exciting game. Gather your friends and show them your new moves. Basketball is a complex sport so there is always opportunity to improve your game. Read on to learn exactly what you can do to improve your game.
Watch your form while you dribble the ball. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm. Using your fingers allows you to better control the basketball. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Keep your head up, do not stare down towards the ground.
Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.
Watching the pros play is a great way to see how great basketball players use their skills in the game. Watch as many games on TV as you can. Every player has a skill that allows him to succeed. Practice their moves to become better.
One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.
Are you interested in being able to fool the other team? Try a pass back! To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. Doing this will trick your opponent.
Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. Remember which player shoots left and which shoots right. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
To increase the efficiency of your layups, begin your takeoff on the foot opposite from the hand you’re shooting with. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left. This balances your body when moving towards your basket. It keeps your body in between you and the defender.
In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Force them into an uncomfortable zone. The more aggressive you are the better. Which plays are made shouldn’t be up to them. If you let them control the game, you will lose. You need to adopt an aggressive style and react quickly so you can interrupt the patterns set by your opponents.
Take charges whenever possible. This play gets your team possession of the ball and a foul against your opponent. Not only that, your opponents may become confused or frustrated and stop playing their game plan.
Never break your defensive stance when playing ball. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position. Don’t allow your feet to cross, and this will make you a hard defender to beat.
In order to confuse the offense, try changing your pace. When running toward the hoop, plant your leading foot and start to straighten up. The guard will think you are slowing down and will also straighten themselves. When that happens, push ahead and run past.
To increase your three-point shooting skill, shoot from where the NBA players range. Remember that high school, college and international standard lines are all shorter than the NBA distance. By practicing at the NBA line, you will be used to getting a look a little further than what most defenses will cover.
Keep dribbling until you want to shoot or pass. Once you stop dribbling, you are extremely limited in your options. If you opt to not pass or shoot, you’re left with pivoting on your back foot. The chances of the ball being stolen is high, and you might be double teamed as well.
Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. Real game dribbling has a lot of variety. It is possible to be completely open, but it is also possible to be surrounded. This is why it’s important to switch the direction you will be dribbling. By nailing this skill, you have a better chance to avoid a turnover.
If you want to perform your best in basketball, you need to eat well. If you’re playing regularly, you need energy-loaded carbs as well as some fat and protein. You want to make sure that your body has enough energy to keep going; think about eating chicken, nuts and whole grain bread. Try to reduce your salt and sugar intake, though.
Do not double dribble. This occurs when you have stopped dribbling, held the ball for a few seconds, and then start dribbling again. When you stop dribbling, you must shoot or pass the ball. You cannot return to dribbling again. This will cause your team to lose the ball.
When guarding a player who exceeds you in size, attempt to stay in between that player and the one with the ball. Keeping your body in position will prevent them from getting a pass or being in position to shoot.
If you are in possession of the ball, learn when you should shoot and when you should pass. You don’t want to be the player that cost your team the game due to your selfishness.
You don’t have to worry about your basketball skills any longer. You may even have a few tricks up your sleeve. Just remember that games are supposed to be fun, so take it lightly. Enjoy your playtime!