What should I know about basketball? What information will learn the ins and outs of the game so I can be the player I want to be? In this article we will provide you with some basic information to act as a solid foundation for your basketball performance.
Make sure to dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This gives you the best ball control. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.
Bounce Pass
You should learn the best way to throw a great bounce pass. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. But, a series of other considerations can require you to make adjustments.
Work on being able to receive a pass. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.
Play by yourself to practice. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. Don’t fret! There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. There is always something to practice.
If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better. After positioning yourself on the court, make sure that you are secure. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.
Focus on your footwork and core strength when working out. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.
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. Utilizing both hands to dribble the basketball and switching effortlessly is key to advantage over an opponent. You can focus on the strength of your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!
Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.
A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.
If you see a chance to gain control of the ball, take it. Letting the other guy run into you stops the game without having to use a time out, and adds another four to the opponent’s total. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.
A great way to stay in a correct defensive stance is to always stay in position no matter what. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot. Keep your feet from crossing to make it hard for your opponent to get by you.
Strength Training
Strength training can be a major help in basketball. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. Even smaller children can use fitness routines to build stronger arms and legs. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. Adult players must use strength training to prevent loss of mobility, speed, and power.
Maintain a rhythm to the dribble until you are ready to surprise the opponent. A consistent pace for your dribble will lull your opponent, and help you move more quickly than they do when the time comes. In addition to the tempo change, the louder sound of your dribbling can catch them off guard as well.
Practice a variety of shots from different locations on the court. Begin with practicing your grip and balance. You can shoot off balance, but it’s not very accurate. Utilize the basketball’s air valve as a way to improve your grip. Spread your fingers, and place your dominant hand over the area where the valve is located.
Are you a little more informed now? Do you want to show off your new skills? Utilize this advice each time you play basketball. Then get out there and start practicing and playing and showing what you have just learned.