Basketball is not just a game for gym class. You could have fun playing at the park or right in your driveway. If you love the game of basketball, then you should focus on learning all you can about how to play better by reading the content below.
If you want to excel, you have to play to your strengths. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team. Realize your limitations, and roll with your talents.
You must have good 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.
Make sure to practice catching of passes. You can do the rest of your team mates will be happier if you (and they) are more versatile.
If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. Your performance is going to be sub-par if you don’t have strengthened core muscles. A strong core helps the legs move better, like jumping higher and running faster.
Don’t limit your time practicing how to confront a zone defense. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, a team can switch defenses to man-to-man quickly in order to confuse you. If your practice did not include this, you could lose any control you have over the game.
You can improve your passing skills by drilling on it separately from dribbling. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove.
If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. 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. Plant your feet and own that spot. Strong footwork is key.
To become a better free throw shooter, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, should be the same each time. This routine will help you make your free throws, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.
Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. If you have an opponent who is guarding you relentlessly, look to pass the ball to someone who is open.
Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers. Scan the court looking for openings to make a basket.
Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in no more than five dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll have great speed and stride length. This is a vital skill to give you points on those fast break opportunities.
You need to take a charge when the opportunity presents itself.
Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. If someone is close to you and is really good at guarding you, pass to another person that’s open.
Then they should encircle the point guard and trap him. Your forwards can sprint to block the wing players. The point guard throws a pass that can easily be stolen by your forwards.
If you wish to get your weaker hand built up, start using it for everyday tasks like shining your shoes or opening doors. This will make you a force to be reckoned with your basketball game also.
If you are in a defensive position, keep yourself low. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Remain in a correct defensive pose always. When you must break from your stance in order to block shots, make sure to return to form right away.
You will gain a lot of ball control with bent knees.
Practice dribbling as you sway your body’s momentum from one side to the other. This will help you learn to dribble during games frequently.You might be able to go through an open court but there are opponents ready to swarm you. You must dribble effectively by leaning your body in both directions. This can help you to get yourself out of a tough spot.
The best way to become a better player is to talk to your teammates and know what they are going to be doing. A good basketball team consists of players who understand that this is not an individual sport. This means that offense and defense doesn’t mean one on one. Instead, all players help and support one another. Speak to others and tell them when you’ll need help so everyone can play better.
No matter how intense the competition may be, you will enjoy basketball more when your skills improve. Now that you’ve read this article, go out there and put it to use. The more knowledge you acquire, the better basketball you will play.