Basketball begins as a new adventure for most. You explored passing, shooting, and dribbling. Today, it may feel like you’re someone who knows everything about the game. This article will provide you with what you need to know.
Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots. It’s critical to practice running towards the basket at full speed and following up with a good jump and smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.
Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you. If you haven’t practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.
One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling. Don’t get upset if it seems hard, this will improve your team’s passes over time.
To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong. A simple hand gesture can let your teammate know you’re ready for the pass. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.
If you get injured while playing basketball, do not try to play through the pain. 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. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.
Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. Is there something that you excel at? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable. When you find out what they think, you may learn a lot.
If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail. To help improve your shot, focus on squaring up on each of your shots. The dominant shoulder needs to be lined up with the rim.
It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.
Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.
Free Throw
Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements. 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.
Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. If you use both your hands to dribble, it is easier to control. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.
Now that you have all these great new moves, you can improve your game dramatically. Set reasonable goals and practice regularly to become the best player possible. Using these tips will allow you to become an amazing player.