The game of hoops was created by Dr. Although it wasn’t a hit straight off, it is very popular now. Since that time, it has exploded into the big time world of sports. There have been many people who have made basketball a world wide phenomenon. J. to Magic Johnson, basketball has turned athletes into superstars. If you’re wanting to know what goes into becoming a good basketball player, keep reading this article.
It is easy to be focused on offense when you are learning how to play basketball, but you really should focus your practice on defense. Basketball games are won more often by defense than offense. If your team doesn’t have a good defense, you’re not going to make it far in a game.
Free Throws
Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws. However, if you’re not in the right state of mind, you won’t succeed. Be relaxed and concentrate on the basket and you will help you make more free throws.
A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. You will see that each great player has certain skills that make him great and you can practice what you see him doing.
You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t be frustrated by how hard it is at first; you will get used to it.
Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. As a shooting guard, having bulky arm muscles can actually reduce the number of successful shots.
If you experience a basketball injury, don’t keep playing. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.
To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. Your palm should touch the ball as little as possible. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.
If you wish to do free throw shots reliably, always do the exact same thing before making each shot. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, you won’t have any trouble having your body memorize what you’re doing.
Look away when you practice passing. This will confuse your opponents. If you do it right, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. You must practice this move with your teammates so that everyone on your team understands what is going on.
To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball. Try tying the dominant hand behind you and forcing yourself to just using your weak hand. This will train your weaker hand to dribble and control the ball well.
You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Force them out of their comfort zone. Always move aggressively as they try to maneuver around you. This will keep them from being able to choose which plays they will make. The more aggressively smart team is usually the one who wins. Instead, make the first move and interrupt their rhythm.
Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Never assume you can just stand somewhere, catch and then shoot. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.
In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.
A key play on defense is to draw a charge. When you take a charge, you have the opportunity to get a defensive stop, your team gets the ball and an additional foul is set up against the other team. This is a great way to take control of the court and intimidate the other team.
If possible, keep the ball below your knees. The opposing team will have a harder time separating the ball from you. You will need to bend somewhat for this to happen, but it’ll allow you to move quickly down the court as you ward off your opponents.
The best way to become a better player is to talk to your teammates and know what they are going to be doing. It is a sport that requires team work. Playing with the same teammates often helps you understand what they are thinking. You all help each other out. If you believe others can help you improve, let them know. The result benefits you and your entire team.
A hoop that’s ten feet high, a really long court, and ten people playing is what it takes to play a game of basketball. You have to know a lot about it if it’s something you want to do good at. This article should have started you off in the right place, so you have to keep at it until you’re a master of it.