What is the best information to know about basketball? What should I learn to enhance both your performance and your enjoyment of the game?
It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. Basketball games are won because of good defense. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.
Always keep your head up and looking forward. You should never be looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling. Bring your ball no matter where you go out.Dribble the ball as you go about your day doing errands like walking the shops. If you’re looking at the basketball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.
Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handlers. This technique passes the basketball from your left hand you use. The move must be very swift if it is to be successful. When executed properly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.
To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. This kind of improvisation is the result of years of practice and loads of ability. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.
Make sure to practice your layups frequently. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air.This technique helps improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.
Zone Defense
If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Muscle strength is beneficial for playing any basketball position, but there is such a thing as too much. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.
Don’t limit your game against the zone defense. While you might see a zone defense mostly, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you might lose your game very quickly.
Hand signals will help you to stay away from making bad passes. Hand signals can help you if your teammate is ready.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. You should know if a player is right or left handed. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
Pay attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you won’t make the shot. Your shoulders should always be square towards where you’re shooting. The shoulder that’s dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.
Ask a video of you playing and watch it. You can see where you can improve and notice things you missed. Be honest with yourself but not overly critical.
Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. If you move either foot while trying to pick, take a charge or set a screen, it will result in a called foul.
Try to get the basketball from one end of the court to the other in no more than five dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but once you master it, your speed and stride will be truly impressive. This will help you accomplish great layups on those fast break opportunities.
Be sure that your vision is unobstructed. This isn’t just so you to make shots as well as catching passes that come your way. You want your peripheral vision.
Work on passing through your legs to add another skill to your arsenal. Practice this maneuver by bouncing the basketball between your legs while taking steps. This technique can really throw off defenders.
Then your defending guards should run to the point guard to trap him in place. Your forwards can sprint to block the wing players. The point guard will then probably throw up a pass that your forwards can easily interceptable pass.
Stop Dribbling
As soon as the ball leaves your teammate’s hands after a free throw, start moving into position. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This will allow you to score a rebound without getting penalized for a foul.
Only stop dribbling if you want to shoot or pass the ball. You are limited once you stop dribbling. If you decide not to shoot a basket or pass the ball on, you can only pivot using your back foot. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and that means you are also more likely to get the ball stolen.
The opposing team will have a difficult time separating the basketball from you. You will need to bend somewhat for this to happen, but you will be able to traverse the court rapidly while keeping opponents at bay.
Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. Using both hands when playing is an important skill if you can develop it when you’re not playing. Your basketball skills will benefit.
Use the hand you aren’t dribbling with to create a barrier between the opponent away from the ball. You don’t want to be pushing any of your opponents (that’s a foul), but you should use your non-dribbling arm to protect the ball. Keep it up slightly while you dribble.
Can you answer your questions now? Do you feel confident to take control on the court? Are you set to up your basketball skills? Practice all you can and work hard towards your goals.
Continuously dribble the ball until you have an opening to pass it to one of your teammates, or you are prepared to shoot. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you don’t shoot or pass, you have to pivot on the back foot. The opposition will cling onto you like a magnet.