Basketball is exciting to watch but it is much more fun to play. But, not everyone has a thorough understanding of what it takes to truly play the sport well. No matter your skill level, this article will provide you with some helpful tips.
Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.
Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.
Catching Passes
Work on catching passes frequently. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Therefore, it pays to practice catching passes that are a bit off-target.
If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
When playing basketball, it is important to always keep your eye on the ball. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.
Build your core strength and work on your footwork. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.
Where are your feet? When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. Also, you can cause a turnover if you walk without dribbling the ball. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.
Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. Your opponents can really get confused by this, as well. If you do it right, the look makes members of the opposing team look in the wrong direction, which gives the person to whom you passed the ball plenty of time to make the shot. This play can be very powerful.
Create a routine to improve your free throw success. Inconsistency will ruin your shots. You can shoot better free throws by making sure you use the same exact routine every time, and of course practice. If you have a glitch in the routine, you are likely to miss your shot.
You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.
Basketball is appealing to people of all types. Knowledge is what makes or breaks a player. This article can help you build your skills.