It is hard to forget the first time you played basketball. You began to figure out how to play such as shooting, dribbling and passing. Now, you might even feel as though you have mastered the sport. The following advice will prove there are things you did not know.
Correct dribbling is key. Use fingertips to dribble. This will give you better control of the basketball. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.
Learn how to hit a free throw shot. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. Practice often using the following technique. Hold the ball level to your face. Have your eyes on your goal and picture your ball going into it. When you shoot, keep the visualized trajectory in mind.
Bounce Pass
Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. A good estimation is to target the ball to bounce at about 3/4 of the distance that the receiving player is. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.
Need to dupe the opposition? Give the back pass a try! If you wish to try this pass, get the ball in your dominant hand. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. This will confuse the other team into wondering where the ball went.
Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. Learn who the left handed players are and who the right handed ones are. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A smart defensive player is a strong one.
If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. To help improve your shot, focus on squaring up on each of your shots. If your right hand is your dominant hand, your right shoulder must be aligned with the rim. For left-handedness, the opposite is true.
It’s important to know where you have your feet and also 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. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.
The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Don’t let them get comfortable. Execute your moves with aggression. Which plays are made shouldn’t be up to them. By doing so, the opponent will take advantage of you. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.
Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes. Your peripheral vision needs to be as strong as possible. It allows you to view the game as a whole rather than simply watching the ball. In this way, you can be aware of the players around you.
When you have the chance, take charge. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul. This can have a major impact on the other team psychologically, and it can be a powerful play as well.
Don’t break out of defensive stance always remain in the proper defensive position. Slide your feet to the sides or push off using the opposite foot to always be in position. Stay low and make it hard for opponents to get around you.
Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. If you gain more mastery of it in all walks of life, you improve overall control. This will help you with your basketball game also.
There’s always room for improvement in basketball. Set and follow through on goals to become more skilled. Apply what you have learned in this article to help yourself become a better basketball player.