Read on to learn more about basketball. You’re a player, and you love the sport. But you still lack a bit of knowledge. With that knowledge in mind, you are likely to be taught a tip or two that you did not know before. Read on to learn more about what you can do to become a better player and a more useful part of your team.
You can easily focus on offense when learning to play basketball, however, you must really focus how playing defense. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. Offense gets attention and praise, but when you lack good defense, any team can lose.
Practice your layups a lot. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.
A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.
Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. Don’t worry! There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. There’s always some work to do.
Core Muscles
If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. Core muscles are the connectors between arms and legs. If the core muscles are weak, basketball performance will suffer. Having a strong base allows the player a solid position from which to jump and accelerate during the game to help speed up their movements.
Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. One thing that can frustrate you when playing basketball is to try and pass while a player is trying to run to the basket. Hand signals can tell you if your teammate is ready. If you don’t see a signal, you shouldn’t pass the ball.
Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.
If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.
Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. Using both hands to dribble makes you a more effective player, especially when you’re trying to get past your opponent. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. In no time, the weak hand will also be useful for dribbling.
Dribbling hard helps you protect the ball. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster. That means there is less time for the other side to grab it. If an opposing player is guarding you to the point where you can’t dribble well, it’s time to pass to an open teammate.
Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body. Your defender will likely think you are taking a shot or passing, and straighten up as well. You should push and get past them as they straighten themselves.
Strength training can be a major help in basketball. Those who do very well at this sport have a combination of stamina and strength. Even young kids can improve if they exercise the right way and strengthen their core. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. When they become an adult, weight training becomes mandatory.
Work on dribbling the ball while switching the momentum of the body from side to side. Remember that you must dribble in a variety of situations during a basketball game. The court might be wide open, but you could just as easily be swarmed by many opponents. It helps to master control of your body as you dribble in a variety of positions. It can help you get out of a jam.
Practice shots from all regions of the court. Work on your grip and balance first. Even though it is less accurate, it is possible to score with off-balanced shooting. Pay attention to the air valve on the ball. Cover the basketball valve with your palm and spread your fingers. This will center your hand on the ball.
Using these tips can renew your energy for playing on the court. It’s fun to apply new tips to the court. Keep these tips in mind to show others what you know. Basketball is a wonderful sport to enjoy!