What is the best information to know when learning about basketball? What do you need to do to improve your skills and play better? In this article we will provide you with some basic information to act as a solid foundation for your basketball performance.
If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. It has to be done fast to be effective. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.
Dribble the ball the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. Dribbling this way improves your ball control dramatically. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.
Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. Remember you should bounce the ball approximately three-quarters of the distance between yourself and the receiving player. Of course, there are factors that should be taken into consideration when passing using the bouncing technique.
Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. By focusing your sight on the ball, you cannot be fully aware of your surroundings. Bring the ball no matter where you go. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. Always look ahead when you are dribbling the ball.
Watch how the pros play basketball. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals. Each player has their strengths and you can learn a lot from each one.
Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. You should expect layups to represent about 80% of all the shots you take in a game. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.
You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.
There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. It is possible to practice the physical movements needed to make such a shot, but when your mental focus is lacking, you are likely to miss. Relax yourself and focus on the hoop.
Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Some guards increase their upper body to the point of harming their field goals.
A good way to improve team passing to use a no dribbling drill, that is to play the game without dribbling at all. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove. Don’t be frustrated by how hard it is at first; you will get used to it.
If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. You should know if a player is right or left handed. When you know your opponent, you will be better able to play an effective defensive game. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.
You want to always be aware of foot placement and what you’re doing. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds. Going too many steps with no dribbling is a waking call and turnover situation. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players.
Want to trick the other team? Try a back pass. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.
Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. It can help you to see how you really are instead of what you imagine you are.
Bad passes can be avoided with the right hand signals. One thing that can frustrate you when playing basketball is to try and pass while a player is trying to run to the basket. Hand signals can be a great way to find out if a teammate will be able to receive your pass. No signal, no pass.
Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.
Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. Motion is key to being successful on the court.
The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.
You want to keep your vision completely clear at all times. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes. Peripheral vision is important during game play. When you can see the big picture, you can react to anything.
One of the best ways to always be in proper defensive position is to never break out of the defensive stance. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position. Avoid getting your feet cross as this makes it much more difficult for the opponent to get by you.
Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. You can try faking a jump shot by planting quickly, and straightening your body. The offense will believe that you’re stopping or slowing down and may follow in your steps. As they do, push forward hard and run by them.
Your defenders need to wait for the point guard to make it 10′ ahead of the time line. After he crosses the midcourt line, they should run and trap him. Have forwards sprint to players on the wing. Their point guard will probably hurl a pass that is easy for your own forwards to steal.
To enhance your skills at shooting the ball from the outside, run drills every day from different locations on the court. For even better results, practice the run-up to your shot in addition to the actual shot. When you are off the ground, keep your eye on the basket, but not earlier. You can improve your accuracy to help you when the game is live.
You should always bend your knees while dribbling. Standing straight makes it hard to control the ball. You only need to bend your knees slightly to improve your control of the basketball.
Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. You do not have many options after you stop dribbling. If you don’t shoot or pass, you have to pivot on the back foot. When you do this, your opponents can double team you and steal the ball.
Practice dribbling by switching momentum. Basketball games are fast and you will encounter different scenarios while dribbling. There may be times when you are covered by multiple opponents; however, there may be times when you have the whole court in front of you. This is why it’s important to switch the direction you will be dribbling. Not being able to do this leaves you open for the ball to be stolen.
The hand not used to dribble the ball should serve as a wall separating the ball from the opposing players. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it. You should try to keep your barrier arm up slightly when you are dribbling.
Try to contain the action to the area below your knees. This will make your opponent struggle to steal the ball from you. Although this means bending a bit, you will be able to move quickly down the court, particularly since you will be successfully avoiding those who are attempting to get the ball from you.
Be sure to be well acquainted with your team mates so that you can all work well in cooperation. You need a team to play basketball. Do not look at playing defense or offense as something to be undertaken by just you and a single opponent. You must help one another out. You must communicate with your teammates so that you can all play better.
The easiest way to do well at basketball is to speak with the team to see what everyone is up to. It is a sport that requires team work. Meaning offense and defense is played, not just one on one. The whole team has to work together. If you communicate your wishes before you go out on the court, the team will work better as a unit.
Always know the angles the ball is likely to take if it misses a goal. If this is the case, you need to guess where it will end up and catch the rebound as a result.
Keep dribbling in the same rhythm, until finally you would like to throw the person guarding you off guard. You can for instance suddenly speed up your dribbling to get past an opponent and get the edge you need for a shot. Perfecting this can make you nearly unstoppable on the court.
Have you found the answers you seek? Do you feel like you are prepared for a game of basketball? Hopefully this article has given you the answers to all your basketball questions. Continue to practice and use the above advice and enjoy the outcome.
Practice shots from all regions of the court. First, practice your balance and grip. It’s possible to shoot when not properly balanced, but the accuracy of such shots is diminished. The valve, which is located at the center of the ball, should help you perfect your grip. Center your dominant hand over the valve, and spread your fingers out from there.
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