Basketball isn’t a game that’s only played in after school games or gym class. Basketball can be played at the park, driveway or at the local rec center. To shoot hoops and play basketball better in general, focus reading the information below.
Learn the best way to make your free throws. These shots look easy on television, but are actually hard when you are doing the shooting. Practice often using the following technique. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.
Keep your head up when you dribble. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Wherever you go, take your ball with you. Keep dribbling the ball even while you’re doing your errands. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.
It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. You have to do this quickly to be good at it. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.
Bounce Passes
Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.
Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. Go to actual games or watch on TV. You will quickly notice all the different skills that they have which makes them a great player, then take what you learned and use it to help improve your own game.
Practice playing by yourself. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. For concentration purposes, it can be good to practice on your own. You can still do a lot on your own. Practice pivoting or doing free throws. You can always work on something.
Core Muscles
If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. This includes their abs, lower back, and hips. Core muscles are the connectors between arms and legs. If the core muscles are weak, basketball performance will suffer. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.
Try using hand signals to prevent passes in error. One of the most challenging aspects is trying to send the ball to your teammate as they are going for the basket. This can be prevented through the use of hand signals. If you don’t see a signal, try to find someone else to pass to.
If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. Once you find a spot, you need to know how to defend it. Solid footwork can make both of these things happen.
You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. What areas are your strong points? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. By understanding what your teammates see as your best skills, you can ensure that you keep a strong focus and hone these abilities even more.
Knowing your opponent is the best way to play a tough defensive game. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. When you are prepared, you play better defense.
Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Practice this maneuver by bouncing the basketball between your legs while taking steps. When you’ve mastered this step, you will be at a great advantage.
Whether for casual play, for competition, or just for a shoot around, improving your basketball skills will make it more fun to play. Now that you’ve read this information, take it to the next level by putting what you’ve learned into practice. The more you pick up, the better you can play.