Do you want to learn about basketball? You are not alone in this. There are lots of people that play basketball and many more who are in awe of what the professionals do. This article is packed with basketball tips.
When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball. Carry your basketball everywhere. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.
Balance is essential to shooting. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times. They are merely making up the play on the spot. You need the right balance to shoot; it is the only way to eventually make consistent baskets.
Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.
If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.
One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. You should know if a player is right or left handed. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. A smart defender is someone who is good at his position.
To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. Just keep things brief, but make sure you always do the same moves.
Make layups count by taking off with the foot that is opposite to your shooting hand. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.
Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.
If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get 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. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. This will confuse your opponent into adjusting their stance. All the while, push ahead hard then run past them.
Strength Training
If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. Even youngsters can strengthen their arms and legs to improve game play. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. During the adult years, strength training is vital to keeping on-court performance at a high level.
A powerful play called the trapping machine, is to have your guards wait for the point guard to come just past midcourt. This can give them an opportunity to run up to that point guard to trap them. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. A pass should be thrown by the point guard for forwards to steal.
When dibbling the ball, bend your knees. When you are rigid, the ball is not only hard to control, it is also an easier target for a rival to steal. Some minor bending of the knees makes a big difference in your ability to control the ball.
If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Once in the air, keep an eye on the target. But, be sure not to look at it beforehand. This is a good way to simulate real game-time conditions and increase accuracy.
In the final analysis, perhaps you enjoyed basketball before, but now you really understand it. Now that you’ve read this, you should be ready to play just like a pro. Use this advice the next time you’re playing a game of basketball.