Basketball is an exciting, fast-paced sport that keeps fans on their feet. Many people don’t know all that there is to know about this game. Keep reading to find out great ways to bring your game skills to a whole new level.
When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. Defense is what wins basketball games. Offense is flashier, so it draws the attention of fans and journalists, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.
Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. There can be other factors in play to keep in mind, as well.
Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard. Practice with each type of defense so you will know what to expect.
Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. Don’t fret! You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. You can always practice something.
Use hand signals to avoid errant passes. It can be frustrating to attempt to pass the ball to a team mate as that person is heading toward the basket. Hand signals can help you communicate with your teammate on the court. No signal, no pass.
In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.
One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected. Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet. Learn what other’s see as your natural skills and make sure to keep and develop those skills more fully.
Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. As with boxing, you can increase footwork speed and dexterity by jumping rope.
Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Keep your shoulders squared with the basket at all times. If your right hand is your dominant hand, your right shoulder must be aligned with the rim. For left-handedness, the opposite is true.
Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. Do you see anything you could do differently? Honestly and openly assess your own performance. It can be an eye-opener to see how you’re playing the game really, not just what you picture it to be.
Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. Just keep things brief, but make sure you always do the same moves.
A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal. Be assertive and focused within the rules, aggressively keeping your player off balance. Don’t let your opponent decide their own plays. Otherwise, the opponents will win all the shots and dominate you. Try to interrupt their game plan by taking charge and controlling the tempo.
Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Consider wrist curls and and exercise machine that focuses on strengthening each finger individually. Don’t stay stopped; always move around the court. You have to get the ball around, too.
Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When running in the direction of the net, straighten up while planting the front foot. The guard will assume you are reducing speed and will do the same. Push forward and blast by them.
To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. This will begin to spill over into your basketball game as well.
Basketball is a source of joy both as a personal physical activity or fan spectacle. To make sure you are getting all you can out of the game, become informed. The article above should be a great resource for you during your quest to learn more about basketball.