It is no wonder why so many people enjoy basketball so much; it’s a fast-paced, exciting sport. To be good at it, you have to understand the game. Read these tips to turn your weaknesses into strengths and be the best player possible.
Proper balance is essential when shooting. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. Taking a shot when you are off balance will probably lead to a turnover. By focusing on balance in your shot, you will develop the consistency needed to be a great scorer.
Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. Find you best position and then refine it until you are unbeatable.
You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.
Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.
There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. Make use of the back pass. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This is a good way to trick your opponents.
Should you receive an injury during the course of the game, never try to continue playing despite the pain. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.
What do your teammates admire about your skills? Are you skilled at something? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.
Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Honestly and openly assess your own performance. Seeing yourself realistically can be a great way to make changes in a positive direction.
To gain greater dribbling skill, always practice with the weaker hand as well as the more dominant one. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands. Tie your strong hand to the rear of your back to ensure you only use your weaker hand. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!
To avoid turning the ball over to the other team, make sure that you’re dribbling hard. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.
Be sure that your site is good. Not to just be able to see the scoreboard, but to actually make a shot and catch a pass. You want to be sure that your peripheral vision is at its best. If you’re looking around the whole court and not only at the ball, you’ll be able to look to the defense to see if pressure is coming and you can see who’s open.
Change your pace up to throw the offense off. Sprint towards the hoop then quickly plant your foot, then straighten up. Your defender is going to assume that you’re slowing your speed and will start straightening up, too. When they do this, run ahead and push yourself forward.
Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. After you have stopped dribbling, your options are quite limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. This causes you to be wide open to some double teaming by the other team and increase your chances of having the ball stolen.
If possible, the action should remain below your knees. This will make your opponent struggle to steal the ball from you. You’ll have to bend over, but it will be worth the effort.
Try different shots from different places on the basketball court. Practice your grip and balance first. It’s possible to shoot when not properly balanced, but the accuracy of such shots is diminished. The valve, which is located at the center of the ball, should help you perfect your grip. Center your dominant hand over the valve, and spread your fingers out from there.
Basketball is an amazing sport to enjoy. The article also makes it clear that in order to play basketball well, you need to know the fundamentals. Follow these tips to enhance your game and play at the top of your ability.