A great thing about basketball is the simplicity of being able to pick up the basics. You can get the basics in a couple minutes. But the finer points are what the game is all about, and if you would like to know more than check out this advice to get started.
Perfect your free throw. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do. You should practice as often as possible with this technique. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.
Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. These players are using creative improvisation. Balance needs to be maintained to consistently make successful shots.
A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best. You will notice great skills from different players that you can practice.
Frequent pass catching practice is important. When practicing make sure you drill yourself to catch errant throws as well as picture perfect passes. This will help you catch those bad passes during a game. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.
Practice playing by yourself. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. That is okay. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. You can always work on something.
Core Muscles
One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.
Try using hand signals to prevent passes in error. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. Avoid this using hand signals to see if they can get the pass. If they don’t signal, don’t pass to them.
If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Seek medical advice immediately if you have more than a minor muscle strain.
Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? They may say you’re fast or that you share well. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.
Build your core strength and work on your footwork. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.
Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. Be aware that the defender who is below you will start moving in your direction. Slip past him, and you can get the ball. This gets you the rebound without you committing a foul.
A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. You may find this very challenging, but once accomplished it will give you a real edge. If you master this, you will be able to quickly take layups.
You should ensure that you can clearly see. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. You have to build your peripheral vision. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.
Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back. This can be devastating to the other team.
You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Strength, flexibility and stamina are all important things to have in basketball. Even youngsters can strengthen their arms and legs to improve game play. As they start to get older, get them some weights to help them exercise harder. Continue training throughout the adult years to maintain a constant performance.
While you’re dribbling the basketball it is wise to bend your knees. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well. Bending your knees slightly can really make a difference in the way you control the ball.
Mix up different shots from all over the court when you practice shooting. Balance and grip are the first two things to practice. Off-balance shooting can happen, but it’s not as accurate. There is valve located on the basketball which you can use as guide for your grip. Center your dominant hand over the valve, and spread your fingers out from there.
Maybe you recently learned the rules of the game. You may have played the game ever since you were young. Either way, the information here can help you improve your game. Put these tips to work whenever you next hit the court.