What should I know about basketball? What do you need to become a much better player and to better appreciate the game? This article will give you a solid basketball information base, so by reading it you’ll see spectacular results the next time you’re on the court.
Many people forget that defense is as important as offense during practice. Defense can make or break a basketball game. Offense gets more attention, but the team is going to lose without a strong defense.
When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. Defense is essential to winning these games. Offense is often what gets the glory, but most winning basketball teams play great defense.
Learn to correctly dribble the ball. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms. This will give you better control of the basketball. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.
You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. You have seen some crazy shots made by professionals, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. Having a good foundation under you while shooting will always yield better results over time as you keep on practicing and honing your skills.
Find out how to make free throw shots. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. Practice this technique regularly. Start out by holding the basketball right in front of you. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.
One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. 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. You will see that each great player has certain skills that make him great and you can practice what you see him doing.
If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. When executed properly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.
Practice Catching
Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Realize your limitations, and roll with your talents.
Practice catching passes often. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes. When the game is being played, passes may not be as perfect as we’d like. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.
Make sure to practice catching passes. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. In the heat of the game, not every pass is going to hit the bulls-eye. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.
You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.
If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. Building a solid core helps maintain the leg strength that lies at the core of a strong game.
In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Once you’ve reached a good spot, you need to secure it. Strong footwork is key.
If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. Being tough is one thing, but playing through injury can only harm you even further and make the problem much worse. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. Seek medical advice immediately if you have more than a minor muscle strain.
To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. Avoid putting your palm on the ball, too. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.
Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. In addition, keep your palm off of the ball. You should only use your fingers to touch the ball when passing or shooting.
Build your core strength and work on your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Similar to boxers, jump rope to help increase speed and better your footwork.
In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. Remember which player shoots left and which shoots right. Having a good understanding about your opponent strengths and weaknesses allows you to focus on how to better stop him. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.
Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. Sometimes, it helps a lot to see yourself as you really are and not as just you imagine yourself to be.
When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. Keep your shoulders squared with the basket at all times. The dominant shoulder needs to be lined up with the rim.
The best free throws come as a result of routine. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.
In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.
Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. When you’ve mastered this step, you will be at a great advantage.
Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. This translates to simple layups, fast breaks or just a general increase in your team’s numbers.
In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. This can help you to remain balanced, continue moving toward the hoop, and will keep your body between the defender and yourself.
When you have the chance, take charge. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand. This is play that’s powerful.
When you have a chance, take a charge. Letting the other guy run into you stops the game without having to use a time out, and adds another four to the opponent’s total. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.
To help make the offense flow better it is a good idea to alter the pace. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up. The guard will think you are slowing down and will also straighten themselves. When that happens, push ahead and run past.
An excellent tip to help you with shooting skills is to shoot the ball from different spots on the court. To help you get even better, practice dribbling the ball and quickly pulling up for a shot. Focus on the target when airborne, but never before. This helps to simulate game conditions and improving your accuracy.
Building strength improves your basketball game. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. Young children that play can even benefit from strengthening arms and legs through proper exercise. As they reach their teen years, bring weights in to further enhance exercise. Playing as an adult, it is important that you focus on your stamina for optimal performance.
Practice your dribbling skills while shifting your momentum to alternate sides. During game time, you’ll find yourself dribbling from all sorts of positions. You might be working with a court that’s open, but you may get swarmed by quite a few people. You must learn dribbling from all kinds of directions. In this way, you can escape all kinds of difficult situations.
These tips should help you become a better player. Are you now prepared to take on any challenge? Are you set to up your basketball skills? Use these tips to become a better player.
When you come back down to earth from a rebound, try to land so that your legs are spread out wider than your shoulders to give your balance a boost. Keep your hands along any side and hold it up to your chest tightly. Always keep your elbows in check because an errant elbow can cost you a foul if an opposing player is hit with it.
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