Basketball is not a particularly complex game and the rules are simple to learn. You can pick up after just a minute or two. However, you can always learn more to improve your game, and the following tips will help.
Make sure to dribble properly. Use fingertips to dribble. This allows you to control the ball much better while you dribble. Dribble to the side of your body rather than directly in front of you, bouncing at waist level. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.
Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is as important as offense during practice. Basketball games are won by the defense. Offense is flashier, but without a good defense, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.
Free Throws
Learn how to hit a free throw shot. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear. Use good technique when shooting foul shots. Start with the ball positioned right before your face. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.
Free throws require as much mental as physical. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throws.
Make sure to practice catching of passes. You can do the rest of your team a favor by practicing how you (and they) are more versatile.
Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. Bring your ball along when you go out. Dribble as you walk down the street. If you are staring at the ball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.
Do not only practice by playing against the zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you may lose the match fast.
Would you like to pull one over on your opponent? Back passes are a great way to confuse other team is still wondering what happened. Use the dominant hand to hold onto the back pass.This is a very useful trick the opposing team.
Improving your balance means improving your shots. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. If you are able to improve your sense of balance, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.
Play basketball games with yourself during the off-season. Even though you play on a team, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with. There are many ways that can improve your game alone. Work on your free throws and pivot moves. There are many things that can work on.
The key for controlling the ball control is to spread your fingers out. This gives you to remain in control of the ball at all times. Don’t let your palm touch it.
Remember to practice a lot of different possibilities so that you will not limit your game. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you. Failure to prepare for this type of tactic makes you more vulnerable and hurts your team.
Speed is a key attribute in basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for a better advantage. You have to do a lot of drilling to play quickly. But don’t try to go even faster than you are able. Playing beyond your speed can result in bad passes and lots of turnovers.
Always know where you’re placing your feet are and what they are doing.
If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
Ask a video of you playing and watch it. You may see where you observe the game and notice things you missed. Be honest in your assessment but don’t be too harsh.
To become a better free throw shooter, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, touch your forehead, or any other movement. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, but make the routine a quick one.
If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.
Build a routine for your free throw game. If you’re not consistent then you’ll be off when you shoot. The easiest way to make sure you’re doing great at shooting free throws is to do repetitions of the same routines time and again.
You must disrupt your opponents in order to be a great defensive player. Don’t let them get comfortable out there on the court. Be aggressive in the moves you execute your moves. Do not allow them to decide which plays that they make.
Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve. Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.
Maybe you just started playing the game before looking up this article. Or, maybe you have been playing ball since you were little. Regardless of your personal circumstances, this article should help you up your game. Use the knowledge you have gained to step up your game and become the best basketball player that you possibly can.