What is the best information to know when learning about basketball? What do I need to understand in order to strengthen my game? Reading these tips gives a quality information base when it comes to playing basketball.
Practice your defense more than your offense. Basketball games are won with a good defense. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.
Practice your layup shot often. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.
Bounce Pass
Practice your bounce pass. It needs to get to the player at their waist. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. There are many factors which come into play, though.
Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t prepared yourself for that, you might lose your game very quickly.
If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.
Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on. The core links both the lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they will have limited athletic performance. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.
Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass. Hand signals can help you communicate with your teammate on the court. If the player does not flash the signal, then the player can avoid an errant pass.
Have your team mates critique your playing skills. What are your your best skill areas? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. When you find out what they think, you may learn a lot.
Keep your eye on the ball. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Always scout the court for areas that will open up and allow you to make a clear shot.
Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. You should avoid having your palm touching the ball. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.
Understand your opponent. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. Know which players are left and right handed. When you know more about the opposing team, you will play a better defense. The strongest defenders are those who have information.
A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.
Practice looking in a different direction when you pass. This throws your opponents off. If you can pull it off, it’s effective to draw your opponents away from the shooter. That way the shooter gets a great look before shooting. This play can be very powerful.
You need to mess with your opponent’s head. Make them uncomfortable. Execute aggressive moves. Other players should not influence the plays you make. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.
Be sure that off-court exercises are proper for playing on-court. Running for long distances will increase your stamina, while running sprints will help you with fast-paced moves. Resistance training or weightlifting builds better muscles for shots. The resulting sense of confidence and power will help when you shoot.
Understanding your teammates is a vital part of basketball. Basketball is considered a team sport. Do not look at playing defense or offense as something to be undertaken by just you and a single opponent. You must help one another out. Let others know when you require assistance.
Landing with a wide stance after catching a rebound will make it easier for you to retain you balance. Put your hands on the sides of the basketball and then put it close to your chest. Do not swing your elbows around or you may be hit with a foul.
Do you now know the answers to your questions? Can you take the whole court by storm? This article has given you the information you need to become great at playing basketball. Practice a variety of skills every day to improve your overall game.