It can be hard overstating the love that millions have for basketball. A basic understanding of basketball will make the game more enjoyable. This piece is intended to help people do that.
Practice hitting your free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. This technique should be practiced often if possible. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Keep looking towards the goal and think about the ball getting into that goal. Shoot on the same path you saw in your mind’s eye.
You must have good balance to shoot well. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard. They improvise to do that. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.
Professional Games
Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos. Each player has their strengths and you can learn a lot from each one.
If you get injured while playing basketball, do not try to play through the pain. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Visit a doctor if you think it’s serious.
See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. Learn what other’s see as your natural skills and make sure to keep and develop those skills more fully.
Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court. Scan the court looking for openings to make a basket.
Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. Do you see anything you could do differently? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.
Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time. As long as it’s quick, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your “ritual.”
If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. To practice, simply bounce the basketball between your legs while stepping either forward or backwards. This move can give you an advantage when playing a tough defense.
Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. Don’t just think you’re able to stand around, catch the ball and then shoot it. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.
You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. When closely guarding another player, cease dribbling and pass it to another play on your team that’s open.
Basketball is one of the best loved sports in the US, and it is played in many other countries as well. Without proper understanding, though, it is easy to get lost. We hope this piece has provided the sort of guide that virtually anyone looking to understand basketball better will find useful.