Basketball has a global audience with fans across the world. It’s easy to learn rules, and everyone of all ages can do it. Playing teaches you cooperation and sportsmanship. When you seek to know everything you can about the game of basketball, the information you find below will be invaluable.
If you handle the ball often, you need to learn how to do a crossover. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. If you do it right, a crossover dribble will assist you in changing directions and getting down the court in an efficient manner.
Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own. That is okay. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Work on free throws and pivot moves. You can always practice something.
Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. One things that’s frustrating in basketball is passing to a teammate while they try heading to the basket. All of this confusion can be remedied through the use of hand signals when a player is opened. If there is no signal, the player should not make the pass to them.
Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. You might be quick, or you might always be around to support them. Learn what other’s see as your natural skills and make sure to keep and develop those skills more fully.
If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in. Be sure to keep the shoulders squared up to the hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.
One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. Playing fast takes practice, though, and steady drilling. However, don’t try to be faster than you’re physically able to be. Playing beyond your capabilities will lead to bad passes and lots of turnovers.
Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. Out of bounds will happen with even one toe over the baseline of the lined play area on the court. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.
When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.
To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Immobilize your dominant hand by tying it behind your back, then practice using your other hand for everything. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.
Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. Dribbling fast allows you to keep better control of the ball and there is a slimmer chance of it being stolen from you. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.
Keep low when you play defense. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Always stay in the proper stance on defense. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.
If you want a 2-3 zone to be turned into a machine that traps, your two defenders that are guarding should wait until your point guard is around ten feet past mid court. Once your opponent is trapped, he will have no option but to make a pass. Then, have the forwards on blocks run to the wing players. You will see the opposing point guard make a bad pass that anyone on your team can steal.
While you’re dribbling the basketball it is wise to bend your knees. If you are standing up straight, you will have more difficulty controlling the ball. You will have better ball control with bent knees.
Keep dribbling until you want to shoot or pass. After you halt the dribble, your options become quite limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you are going to be pivoting with your back foot. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and try get the ball away from you.
If possible, the action should remain below your knees. This is going to make things harder for your opponents if they want to steal the ball. This will help you move the ball down the court easier.
When you shoot, try to stay calm. Maintain focus on the basket. Particularly, focus your eyes on the rim’s back when you are about to take a shot. However, for lay-ups, focus your eyes on the spot of the backboard on which you are banking the ball.
Focus on the path of the basketball as it leaves a players hand. Watch whether it is an opponent or teammate. This can help you grab rebounds and intercept passes. It makes no difference if you defend well when the other team misses a shot if you are unable to retrieve the ball.
Do you ever wonder why basketball is so popular? It’s because the sport is so fun to play once you know the basics. If you are in love with this game, the tips in this article will prove themselves to be priceless. Have fun while you play and use what you’ve learned here to help you to get competitive.