You can find people enamored with the sport of basketball all around the world. You can almost always find a playground game going. You might even make a career of it if you have enough time. Learn a little more about what basketball is all about by reading this article.
Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Watch as many games on TV as you can. You’ll be able to learn from the moves they make.
Practice catching passes as often as you can. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. Therefore, it pays to practice catching passes that are a bit off-target.
You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. It’s okay! It is possible to get a lot done even when playing alone. Work on free throws or three pointers. There’s always some work to do.
One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. When you know more about the opposing team, you will play a better defense. A defender with an education will be good at what they do.
When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you will be unable to make the shot. Your shoulders should always be squared towards the hoop. You want your strong-side shoulder in perfect alignment with the rim.
Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. Avoid lifting your feet when you are screening or in position for a charge or the foul will be called on you instead of your opponent.
Create and stick to a routine each time you prepare to shoot a free throw. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck. Don’t dilly dally, but do complete your ritual.
To gain greater dribbling skill, always practice with the weaker hand as well as the more dominant one. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. You will improve dribbling with your weak hand soon enough.
Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. Then you gain the ball without the foul.
Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. This may seem to be too difficult at first, but once you’re able to do it you’ll have a lot of speed and stride length. This translates to simple layups, fast breaks or just a general increase in your team’s numbers.
Strength and flexibility training can help your skills in basketball. In addition to strength, stamina is key in basketball. Proper exercise allows younger players and older players an improved physical presence on the court. Adding weights in stronger increments is effective as the child becomes a teenager. Playing as an adult, it is important that you focus on your stamina for optimal performance.
Always set your three-point shooting practice goal at the official NBA distance. All the other lines are closer. Hitting from the NBA range makes you get deeper-ranged looks than the defense will be guarding you at.
Control the ball at a level that is below your knees. The opposing team will have a harder time separating the ball from you. This takes some stooping and bending, but just move quickly down the court as you thwart the opposition.
Now you have a good idea of what you need to do to improve your game. It’s no cake walk, but basketball isn’t rocket science, either. You can succeed with information and dedication. Begin playing and before you know it, you will be playing every day. It’s time to shoot some hoops!