Folks of all persuasions have long been enamored with the sport of basketball. There are many people that don’t know how to play. This article is meant for everyone to further appreciate the game of basketball, and to get better.
Make sure to dribble properly. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Avoid dribbling in front of you and only dribble to the sides of your body. Don’t look down, always look up.
Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.
Never practice only against the zone. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. When you don’t know how to defeat it, you will lose.
Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. Many times you are unable to find people to play with. This is just fine. You can still do a lot on your own. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. Additionally, you can practice vertical jumping and dribbling.
Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Are you great at any one thing? Maybe you are nimble or you are reliably there to support them. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.
You never want to have your back to the ball if you can help it. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor. Always scout the court for areas that will open up and allow you to make a clear shot.
Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. It can be very confusing to your opponents. If you can pull it off, it’s effective to draw your opponents away from the shooter. That way the shooter gets a great look before shooting. It’s a powerful play when done right.
Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Don’t stay stopped; always move around the court. You have to get the ball around, too.
Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. Peripheral vision must be razor-honed. Having good court awareness to see everything around you lets you see plays develop before they happen, either by warding off the defenders or getting the ball to open teammates.
Take a charge if you can. Taking charges gives you a chance for earning a defensive stop, gives your team the ball, and gives one more foul called in your favor. This can make for good psychological warfare.
Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. When running in the direction of the net, straighten up while planting the front foot. This will confuse your opponent into adjusting their stance. When they do this, push yourself forward and take the chance to run by them.
Strength Training
If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Children that are young are also able to get benefits from getting stronger arms and legs if they exercise right. If you have been exercising regularly for years, it might be time to introduce weights into the mix. When they become adults, strength training is critical to maintaining solid court performance.
Make sure that you are exercising properly for basketball. Running, both sprints and long distance, can help your game. Lifting weights can build the muscle you need for shots and the hustle of the game. The confidence and adrenaline that builds don’t hurt either.
If someone is attempting a shot from one of the court’s corners, that shot (if missed) will probably bounce over to the opposite side of the net. If that happens, you can guess the place where it will go and manage to get the rebound.
For the best balance, make sure you land with your feet spread apart. Hold the ball with two hands tightly against your chest. Do not swing your elbows around or you may be hit with a foul.
Keep calm while shooting the ball. Maintain focus on the basket. Focus your stare on the back part of the rim as you are shooting. However, for lay-ups, focus your eyes on the spot of the backboard on which you are banking the ball.
When you are on defense, forcing your opponent toward the side of the court can be a great move. Allowing your opponents to drive down the middle lets them have a wide array of possible plays. If you push your opponent toward the sidelines, their options will be limited.
For more advanced players in basketball, dribbling is a mental and physical task. You control the spin of the ball, where it lands and how hard. Keep your defender on his or her toes by shifting your body and changing your momentum.
Basketball is enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds. The more you know about this sport, the more you will get out of it. Refer to the information presented here to enhance your game in an ongoing manner.