All around the world, millions of people enjoy the sport of basketball. You can just shoot some baskets at the park, or try to make a career out of playing. Get more information about how basketball works by reading through this article.
Dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. This helps you to control the ball better. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.
Having a good foundation is key when shooting the ball. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard. Those who do this are improvising. Consider proper balance when you shoot, and eventually you’ll consistently make baskets.
Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist. One thing you should do is always remember the ball should be bounced three quarters on its way towards the person you’re passing too. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.
Free throws are as mental as physical. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax and concentrate on your basket to increase your free throws.
Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard. Practice with each type of defense so you will know what to expect.
A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.
If you’re a jump shooter, don’t lift weights too often. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
Serious Injury
Don’t play while injured or else your injury will worsen. Basketball is very challenging physically, and this can cause further serious injury. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. If an injury is serious, go to see a physician.
A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers. Be vigilant to detect openings or weaknesses that make it easier to take the shot.
If you’re quick on the basketball court, you have a built in advantage. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play faster. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.
Don’t leave your defensive stance. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around. Keep your body constantly facing toward your opponent in order to ensure the best possible defense.
Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. When you approach the goal, put your front foot in firm place and start straightening up. The offense will believe that you’re stopping or slowing down and may follow in your steps. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.
For your weaker hand, to build skills, use it off-court for as much as you can, from brushing teeth to opening jars. If you’re able to do more with your other hand daily, you can start controlling it better. Your game will be noticeably better.
Never stop your dribble unless you are going to shoot or pass the ball. If you stop, you limit your options. If you don’t have the chance to shoot or pass, you can just pivot with the foot in the back. Once this happens, you are prone to being double-teamed and more likely to turn the ball over.
Dribble with a rhythm, that is until you need to outsmart your opponents. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass. Speed and rhythm are two of the strongest advantages you can have to thwart the opposing team.
If someone shoots from the corner of the basketball court and misses, it will bounce over the net onto the opposite side. Place yourself in position after this shot is made. You can get more rebounds by anticipating the ball trajectory.
Pivoting is something you must do if you wish to get good at basketball. A good basketball player can pivot without thought or tangling. Work on your stance as well as your ability to react.
Recognize the bad aspects of your game. This above all else, to thine own self be true. You want to practice and strengthen the areas where you have the most trouble. When you aren’t good at three pointers, practice those instead. The very best basketball players are the ones who are well-rounded in all areas of the game.
Now you should know what has to be done if you wish to do well at basketball. It’s not that hard, but it requires a bit of work and proper knowledge. Once you begin playing basketball, you will probably want to play often. You can be a real player in no time.