Basketball is more than a game for gym class. You can play it at home, or at the local recreation center. If you love basketball, read the following tips to help you become a better ball player.
If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. The action must be very swift if it is to be successful. When you do it right, the crossover dribble helps you alter directions and go down the court faster.
Free throws require as much mental focus as physical skill. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Take a deep breathe, relax and block out all outside distractions before taking the shot.
Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. Learn how to catch any sort of throw.
You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage. Failure to prepare for this type of tactic makes you more vulnerable and hurts your team.
You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Even though this is not an easy drill, you will be rewarded for your efforts during game time.
Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. It’s okay! Solo games can help you immensely. Work on your pivot moves or practice your free throws. Many things can be practiced.
Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong. Using signals helps communicate passes with your team. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.
Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Can they tell you what you’re really good at? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. When you find out what they think, you may learn a lot.
In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. Smart defenders are good defenders.
If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. You can train for this maneuver by stepping forward or backwards as you bounce the ball real hard in-between your legs. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.
Whether you play competitively or for fun, learning to be a better ball player is paramount. Now that you’ve read through this article, the only thing left to do is to put what you’ve learned into practice. As long as you’re learning, you’ll be improving your game.