Basketball is something that people all over the world love to play. It is easy enough that anyone of any age can enjoy it. Playing teaches you cooperation and sportsmanship. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your basketball game.
Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling. Using your fingers allows you to better control the basketball. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Keep your eyes up.
To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your best talent may not make you the star of every game, but learning to play your best angle will help you contribute more to the team. Figure out what you do well at and then you can practice that until you perfect it.
Practice the skill of pass catching. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.
Never practice only against the zone. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.
Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. This is perfectly acceptable. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. You don’t need other players to work on your skills.
If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.
Understanding the opponent is a good way to win with defense. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.
If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Your shoulders should be facing the hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.
Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. Taking excessive steps while not dribbling results in a call of walking as well as a turnover. Avoid lifting your feet when you are screening or in position for a charge or the foul will be called on you instead of your opponent.
Practice looking in the opposite direction when you make a pass. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. It can be quite powerful.
To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them. This allows you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. This isn’t just so you can read the scoreboard and be able to make shots and catch passes. You want to make sure that you see what is going on to the sides of you. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.
Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. You can try faking a jump shot by planting quickly, and straightening your body. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will then straighten their own body. Like them, push and run past them.
Strength Training
If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. Strength, flexibility and stamina are all important things to have in basketball. Even kids can benefit by getting stronger through exercise. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. As an adult, a player must continue strength training for optimum performance.
What makes basketball so popular? It’s fun to play and it’s easy too. Read these tips for pointers on how to advance your skills on the court. Have fun playing, and improve your own gameplay by applying these tips.