Many people all over the world love the game of basketball. It’s easy to learn rules, and everyone of all ages can do it. When you start learning to play, you have to cooperate with teammates and have the spirit of sportsmanship whether you lose or win. Read on to learn some great tips about the popular game of basketball.
You can easily focus on offense when learning to play basketball, however, you must really focus how playing defense. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. If your team doesn’t have a good defense, you’re not going to make it far in a game.
Correct dribbling is key. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Never look at the ground. Always look up.
Frequently train yourself on your pass catching moves. When practicing make sure you drill yourself to catch errant throws as well as picture perfect passes. 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.
Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. It is difficult playing without dribbling; however, it helps the team make better passes. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.
When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.
You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. That’s OK! You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. You can always do something.
Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Be vigilant to detect openings or weaknesses that make it easier to take the shot.
Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. Don’t let your palms touch it. Remember to maintain contact with the ball through your fingers only.
Understand your opponent. Pay attention to how they play. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A smart defensive player is a strong one.
Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance. Work the abdomen, buttocks, hip, and back muscles. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.
Free Throw
To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. Just remember it has to be fast and consistent. The reason is, this routine will put your body on alert that the next thing coming is a free throw. This will help insure your success.
If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. This can be practiced by dribbling the ball as hard as you can between the legs while you step in either direction. If you manage to master this, you will have a tremendous advantage during games.
To increase the efficiency of your layups, begin your takeoff on the foot opposite from the hand you’re shooting with. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.
When you dribble while playing basketball, focus on bending your knees. Standing while dribbling will make it much easier for the opponent to steal the ball from you. You will gain a lot of ball control by bending your knees just a bit.
Do you ever wonder why basketball is so popular? That’s because it is fun to play and easy to learn. If you love basketball, the tips from this article will be great for you. Use these tips to become better and be sure to keep practicing.