No matter how you enjoy basketball, whether playing or watching, knowing more about it can help. Are you not quite sure what the score is? Don’t worry. Basketball is a very simple game that is very enjoyable. Consider the following great tips to use for playing basketball.
Make sure to dribble properly. Avoid using your palm while dribbling. Instead, use your fingertips. This allows you to control the ball much better while you dribble. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Do not look at the ground; look up at all times.
Practice your free throw shot. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. Use this technique to better your game. Hold the ball level to your face. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. Next, shoot with just the trajectory you saw.
Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. They are improvising. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.
Watch how the pros play basketball. Watch pro games on TV, or attend games in person. Every truly great player has unique skills that you can learn from.
When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another. Hand signals can tell you if your teammate is ready. Without a signal, there shouldn’t be a pass.
If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. These skills require solid footwork.
Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Step forward and back while dribbling the ball between your legs hard. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage.
Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. Never assume you can just stand somewhere, catch and then shoot. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.
You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them. This allows you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
Maintain a lower position as you play defense. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something. Remain in a good defensive stance always. When you break your stance to block, return to proper form as quick as you can.
If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. Try becoming ambidextrous outside of the court, and you will soon find that you do not have a weaker hand when playing basketball. This will show in your next match.
To enhance your skills at shooting the ball from the outside, run drills every day from different locations on the court. To help you get even better, practice dribbling the ball and quickly pulling up for a shot. Don’t look at the target until you are in the air. This can help to improve your accuracy by simulating actual game conditions.
Maintain a rhythm to the dribble until you are ready to surprise the opponent. A consistent dribbling broken up by a fast paced dribble can surprise your opponent and give you a major edge for a shot. The change in speed and sound can surprise your opponent.
Be careful not to double-dribble. This occurs when you have stopped dribbling, held the ball for a few seconds, and then start dribbling again. When you stop, you have to shoot or pass. You cannot return to dribbling again. When you do that, it’s called a turnover. It will cause you to have to surrender the ball to the opposing team.
See how easy it can be? Once you start playing, you will see exactly how much fun you can have. Using this information can better your game or better your TV experience when watching the pros.