Many people are in love the the game of basketball. It’s simple to play a game at the park or begin your career if you start early enough. Use this article to get more of an understanding of the game of basketball.
Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. That is okay. There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. You can always practice.
Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Keep your eyes open for areas that are open.
For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.
Opposing Team
Passing the ball through your legs is a useful maneuver if the opposing team is right on top of you. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.
Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. You are able to confuse opponents with this technique. If you’re doing it correctly you can fake your opponent out so he/she moves towards that direction and then you pass the ball to a wide open teammate for a shot. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.
If you want to dribble the basketball better, you need to practice dribbling with your weaker hand. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. You will quickly strengthen your non-dominant hand for dribbling.
Good footwork will help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. Then you gain the ball without the foul.
Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This seems an impossible feat when you start. By working on this drill regularly you develop speed and great, lengthy strides. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.
A great way to make sure you’re in a good position defensively is to keep yourself in the defensive stance. You need to learn how to slide your feet instead of crossing one foot in front of the other. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.
Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. You’re going to be dribbling in many different conditions during a game. The court might be wide open, but you could just as easily be swarmed by many opponents. Practice dribbling while leaning in many different directions. This will help you maneuver around trouble.
Create a barrier between the ball and your opponent with the hand you are not using for dribbling. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in. This move helps to keep the ball protected and you in control of it.
One way to misdirect your opponent is to dribble in a rhythm, then break that rhythm. Dribbling somewhat slowly, then suddenly dribbling fast might give you the opening you need to take a shot. Speed and rhythm are two of the strongest advantages you can have to thwart the opposing team.
Diet is essential when it comes to playing ball. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein. Good additions to your daily diet include whole grain bread, lean chicken and nuts. Limit your consumption of salt and sugar.
You need to be able to alter your opponents path. Whether you are playing defense or offense, controlling the movements of your opponents is vital. This lets you figure out where you’re needing to go while not letting them set your path for you.
Don’t double dribble. You get called for double dribbling if you stop your dribble and then begin again. Once dribbling is done, you must either shoot or pass the ball. It is against the rules to recommence dribbling. When you do that, it’s called a turnover. It will cause you to have to surrender the ball to the opposing team.
When you have the ball, know when to try to make a shot and then when to pass it off to someone who has a better shot. You don’t want to be the player that cost your team the game due to your selfishness.
If you want to be a great player, you need to pivot. You must practice your footwork until pivoting correctly is second nature. Make sure you practice your pivot so that you can quickly react.
Recognizes your weaknesses. Maintain your personal integrity. If you miss foul shots often, practice these more than your three pointers. Focus on playing more physically and making your short shots if that’s your weakness. Address your weak spots, and become a well-rounded player.
Now you know how to better your game. It isn’t hard, but does take some effort. After you begin playing it you probably won’t want to stop. Start having some fun!