The basics of paying basketball are not really hard to learn. The basic strategies of the game can be acquired in a few minutes time. This advice helps you further your basketball skills.
When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. After doing so correctly, a crossover gives you greater control over the court’s flow.
Focus on your strengths to get better at basketball. Your skills may not turn you into the star player, but knowing how to make the most of your skills will make you a more valuable player. Know your strengths and practice them until you have perfected them.
Free Throw
Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.
Practice using different types of defenses. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.
Keep your eye on the ball. This keeps you aware of what is going on so you aren’t surprised. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.
Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. 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. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.
If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle. If you are being closely guarded, you should cease dribbling and pass the ball to an open member of your team.
Whenever possible, take advantage of an attack. Taking a charge allows you a chance to earn a defensive stop, take the ball for your team, and sets up one more foul against the opponent. This does great harm to an opponent’s psyche, and is a truly powerful play.
An excellent way to have proper defensive posture is to remain in the correct stance. To move, just slide from back and forth with your feet, or use a foot to push off, keeping your stance all the time. Don’t cross your feet and no one will get around you.
Always stay low when playing defensively. Staying low will help you to be a more swift opponent when you mirror the man standing in your path. Stay in your defensive stance all the time. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to formation as quickly as you can.
To get better at three-point shots, work on shooting from the NBA three-point line. All the other three point lines are much closer than the NBA line. If you get it from the NBA range, your open looks will have deeper range than defense will mind you until you begin hitting.
The only way to gain skill in outside shooting is to make over 100 practice shots every day from various spots on the court. An even better way to improve your accuracy is to practice shooting after pulling up from a dribble. While in the air check out your target, but never before that. This will mimic game conditions and help improve your accuracy.
Only stop dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass the ball. After you halt the dribble, your options become quite limited. If you choose against passing or shooting, you are stuck pivoting in place. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.
Practice all kinds of shots from various spots on the court. The first thing to do is to practice on your balance and your grip. Off-balance shooting can happen, but it’s not as accurate. To get a perfect grip, use the basketball valve as a point of reference. Spread your fingers, and place your dominant hand over the area where the valve is located.
Always anticipate where a missed basket might go so you can grab the resulting rebound. When someone is going for a corner shot, try to anticipate where a missed shot would land so you can be there for the rebound.
Double Dribbling
Double dribbling is not a habit you want to get into. A double dribble is when you stop dribbling, then start again. If dribbling stops, you must pass or shoot the basketball. You aren’t able to start dribbling again. Double dribbling means your team turns the ball over to the other team.
You may have just learned how to play basketball right before you read the above information. Perhaps you grew up playing the sport. Regardless of the reason, this article will advise you on how to improve your game. Use these tips when you next play a game of basketball.