Basketball is not just a game you play in gym class or intramural competition. It is possible to play basketball at a sports center, the park, or even at home. If hoop shooting is your thing, then more information on the subject will help you improve your game play.
Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This will give you better control of the basketball. Dribble off to the side waist high. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.
If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.
Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. You and your team mates will be happier if you (and they) are more versatile.
Do not only practice zone defense plays. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you. When you don’t know how to defeat it, you will lose.
When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. Once you’ve reached a good spot, you need to secure it. Good footwork is key to a good basketball game.
If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.
Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. Do you do something really good? Perhaps you are quick footed, or you are always ready to lend a hand on the court. You can learn a lot about your skills by knowing how others see you on the court.
Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. That makes it less likely that you lose control of the ball. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. When you’re shooting or passing, the only place the ball should touch your hand is on your fingers.
Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Study video tape on your opponent and read over any scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.
As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.
Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds. Not dribbling when you take more than a few steps will result in a walking call as well as a forfeit of the ball. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.
To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.
No matter how intense the competition may be, you will enjoy basketball more when your skills improve. After reading this article, it is time to implement the tips. As you develop your skills, you will automatically become a better ball player.