Basketball is a game invented by Dr. James Naismith, way back in 1891. These days, basketball is a wildly popular sport to watch and play. Celebrities such as Doctor J and Magic Johnson have made the game fun for everyone. There have been celebrities brought about by this game for some time now. How do they do it? Reading these tips is an excellent start.
It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. Offense gets more attention, but the team is going to lose without a strong defense.
Practice layups often. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.
Need to dupe the opposition? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. And last, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This should make it easy to trick the other team.
Never play through an injury when playing basketball. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing. You can quickly turn a strain into a debilitating medical issue if you do not take a break from the action. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.
Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Make sure you also have the court in your line of vision as well, so you know when and where you can drive in for the score.
Spreading the fingers is something you have to do to handle the ball right. This will help you to be sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. You should only use your fingers to touch the ball when passing or shooting.
Work on core strength when you work out. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Jump rope can be used to speed up your feet.
Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. Steady drilling will help speed up your play. However, don’t try to be faster than you’re physically able to be. Playing beyond your own capabilities sends the game spinning past your ability to control it, and turnovers are bound to occur.
Free Throws
For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot. However, they need to be the same combination of movements each time. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.
Hoops that are 10 feet tall, courts that are comparable to the length of football fields, and 10 players are all that’s needed for playing regulation basketball. A thorough understanding of the game is necessary if you are going to become a great player. Start with the tips presented here and continue to add to your knowledge of basketball.