
Basketball is simply not something to just play while in gym. You can play it at home, or at the local recreation center. If you like shooting hoops, you will enjoy learning how to improve your game with the information presented here.
It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Defense can make or break a basketball game. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.
It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. Of course, there are also other factors involved.
Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play. Shooting guards that end up with bulked up arms sometimes find that it affects field goal percentages.
Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn. Taking excessive steps while not dribbling results in a call of walking as well as a turnover. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.
Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. A realistic view of yourself can be quite helpful.
When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. When you take a charge, you have the opportunity to get a defensive stop, your team gets the ball and an additional foul is set up against the other team. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.
Strength Training
Strength training can improve your game. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. Proper exercise allows younger players and older players an improved physical presence on the court. As they grow and gain skills, they will be even better players. As an adult, a player must continue strength training for optimum performance.
To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. Remember that high school, college and international standard lines are all shorter than the NBA distance. If you make your shots from where the NBA players shoot, you will improve your skills and increase your range.
Try to practice a dribble while switching momentum from side to side. You’re going to be dribbling in many different conditions during a game. You will have many opponents swarming you. You must learn dribbling from all kinds of directions. Good dribbling skills will make getting out of a bad situation a lot easier.
You should keep the ball below the knees if you’re able to. This will make it harder for opponents to get the ball away from you. You’ll have to bend down a little to do this, but you’ll find you move more quickly down the court because your opponents aren’t able to impede your progress.
It is important to take your diet seriously if you want to be the best player you can be. Increase your intake of carbohydrates to boost energy levels. You should also consume protein and a limited amount of fat. Some good things to add to a diet would be peanut butter, nuts, chicken, and wheat breads. Sugars and salt should be used sparingly.
Make sure you don’t double dribble. To keep from double dribbling, simply refrain from starting to dribble a second time after you have already stopped dribbling once in that same possession. Remember that if you do stop dribbling, your options are limited to shooting or passing to a teammate. You aren’t able to start dribbling again. A turnover means you will have to give up the ball to the other team.
If you are guarding someone larger than you, try to stay between them and the person who has the ball. In this way, you will prevent the larger player from being able to receive a pass. Then they will not be able to get the ball and shoot it over your head.
Whether you’re just playing for fun or on a team, if you become a better player you’re going to enjoy basketball quite a bit more. After reading this article, it is time to put that knowledge to work. As you learn more, you’ll start to play better.