Basketball is not a great sport and the rules are simple to understand. You can get the basics of basketball down in a couple minutes. However, there is always more to learn if you want to be a better basketball player, and the following tips will help.
You should practice pass catching regularly. When you practice, drill yourself to pay attention to errant throws and passes that are picture perfect. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. Learn how to catch any sort of throw.
Learn the mechanics of a free throw shot. Practice often using the following method.Start by holding the basketball right in front of you. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going into the goal. Shoot on the ball how you saw in your mind’s eye.
You need to keep your balance when you shoot. While the all-time greats have shown time and time again how they can shoot while off-kilter, this is not appropriate for most people. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.
A great way you can prepare for what happens on the basketball court is to avoid having your back to the ball. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.
Passing Skills
You can learn how to better luck honing your passing skills if you run drills without the dribble. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills.
To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.
Understanding your opponent is key in beating a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch tapes of their games and stay up on the court. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you will play a better defense. A knowledgeable defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.
Pay attention to your shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you may not be able to make the shots. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards the basket. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim.
You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Get them outside their comfort zone. Stay aggressive. Keep them from deciding what moves to make. Otherwise, the opponents will win all the shots and dominate you. Instead, take the initiative and disrupt their rhythm.
Ask someone to take a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could improve on? Be honest in your assessment but don’t be too harsh.
Passing between the legs is something that helps when you are being closely guarded. Practice this by bouncing the ball between your legs as you take a step forward or back. Mastering this movement gives you a significant advantage.
You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball. This allows you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you to handle the ball better. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. You can’t just stand in one place and shoot. You have to start moving the basketball to make things happen.
Good footwork will help you to get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball. This will allow you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
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. They can then trap the point guard. Have forwards sprint to players on the wing. Point guards need to throw up passes that your team’s forwards can steal easily.
Dribble hard to make it less likely for the ball stealing. If someone is guarding you closely, pass the ball to an open teammate.
Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in no more than five dribbles. This can seem impossible, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. This will help you accomplish great layups on fast break opportunities.
To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. All other distance lines, high school, college and International, are not as far. If you make your shots from where the NBA players shoot, you will improve your skills and increase your range.
Take every charge if you can. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the other team.
Always attempt to remain low when playing defensively.This will help you as you jump and make it easier to react to the man in front of you easier. Maintain your proper defensive position at all times. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to the proper form as soon as you can.
As you come down from catching a rebound, land with your legs spread wider than the span of your shoulders to increase your balance. Keep the hands on both sides of the ball, and make sure it stays close to the chest. Keep your elbows under control so you don’t cause a foul by hitting someone.
Maybe you recently started playing basketball. Maybe you are a long-time player. Either way, this article will help you learn about playing. Put these tips into action and you are sure to become a more effective player.