As far as basketball goes, the best players don’t even know everything about the sport. Not only must you know the basics of basketball, you must also keep up with the many and frequent changes as they evolve. Do you want to have a hand up? Continue reading to gain the edge that you need to succeed.
Practice your layup shot often. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game. When you practice, run full speed ahead at the basket, jump, and shoot. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.
Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. When your eyes are constantly assessing the game, you will be better able to make easy shots.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court. Also know which is their dominant and weak hands. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.
Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. As you adopt this routine, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.
Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.
Use deception by looking elsewhere when you make passes. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. By looking in the opposite direction, your teammate has a few extra seconds to make the shot. It can be a really powerful move in the game.
A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Force them away from their comfort zone. Execute your moves with aggression. Do not let them call the shots. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. Instead, disrupt their rhythm by making the first move.
You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Don’t believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. Your ability to handle the ball will affect your success on the court.
Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This can seem impossible, but if you do it, you’ll get incredible speed and length. This will help you accomplish great layups on those fast breaks.
Strength Training
You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. In order to play well, you will need to work on both your strength and stamina. Basketball requires a lot of sprinting and jumping. Use weights when they get older. As an adult, a player must continue strength training for optimum performance.
Don’t stop dribbling until you are ready to pass or shoot. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you decide not to shoot or pass, all you can do is pivot on your rear 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.
Remember that your diet has a great affect on your basketball performance. You need to eat carbs, fats and protein on game days. Enjoy lean proteins, whole grains and nuts. You should use salt and sugar sparingly.
After reading the above tips, you should feel confident in your skills on the court. You need all the information you can get to get and stay on top. Do not stop learning, and do not stop practicing. Use the advice from this article to help improve your game.