A great thing about basketball is the simplicity of being able to pick up the basics. It doesn’t take long to learn the basics. However, there are many advanced techniques that can be learned. Continue reading to learn the how you can become the best player.
Practice layups often. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.
Practice your 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. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. There are other variables to consider though.
Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. At the same time, take into account any other extraneous factors that may affect the pass.
Practice using different types of defenses. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t prepared yourself for that, you might lose your game very quickly.
You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. If you are unprepared, you may lose the match fast.
Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. Know the dominant hand of every player. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Shooting guards that end up with bulked up arms sometimes find that it affects field goal percentages.
Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. This translates to simple layups, fast breaks or just a general increase in your team’s numbers.
Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.
Strength Training
It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. In addition, a foul can be called against you if you move either foot while setting a screen, a pick or taking a charge.
To increase your basketball playing abilities, consider strength training exercises. Being physically tough is as important as having the stamina to keep up with the game. Even younger kids will benefit from strength training. Use weights when they get older. As adults, it will be imperative to maintain a strength training routine.
When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.
If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. Try dribbling a little and pull up for your shot. Do not focus on the target until you are already in the air. This simulates what actually happens in a game and improves your accuracy.
Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off. In order to make your free throw perfect, you’ll need to practice the shot many times and get into a routine. Failing to stick with your routine can adversely affect your shooting accuracy.
Keep on dribbling until your shot or passing opportunity is imminent. After dribbling is stopped, your choices are very limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you are going to be pivoting with your back foot. Once this happens, you are prone to being double-teamed and more likely to turn the ball over.
If you want to better your dribble, start practicing with your weaker hand. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball. Immobilize your dominant hand by tying it behind your back, then practice using your other hand for everything. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!
Keep all motion below the knees if possible. This prevents your opponents from stealing the ball. You need to bend a bit more for this to succeed, but you will be able to traverse the court rapidly while keeping opponents at bay.
Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This gets you the rebound without you committing a foul.
Be sure you do the sort of off-court exercises that help you during games. You could, for instance, work on your sprint so you can perform plays faster, while running on a longer distance will help you build your stamina. If you need to perform better shots, work on your resistance by doing some weight lifting. Your shooting abilities are greatly enhanced by a more self-assured, aggressive mindset.
To avoid turning the ball over to the other team, make sure that you’re dribbling hard. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you. If someone is close to you and is really good at guarding you, pass to another person that’s open.
To keep your opponent on their toes, keep your dribbling steady and regular, then surprise them. Changing your pace can confuse them. In addition to the tempo change, the louder sound of your dribbling can catch them off guard as well.
Ensure that you have good court awareness. Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. Having excellent peripheral vision is vital to do well in this game. Having good court awareness to see everything around you lets you see plays develop before they happen, either by warding off the defenders or getting the ball to open teammates.
Work on taking shots from various on-court locations. The first thing you should do is practice your grip and balance. While it is possible to shoot off balance, it isn’t always accurate. You can perfect your grip on the ball by using the valve. Spread the fingers on your writing hand, and cover the valve with your palm.
Bend your knees when dribbling the basketball. Standing while dribbling will make it much easier for the opponent to steal the ball from you. Bending your knees slightly will improve your overall ability to control the ball.
When coming down from a rebound catch, try to land and spread your legs wider than your shoulder span to better your balance. You want to bring the ball tight into your body with both hands. Watch where your elbows are because if you hit someone with them, that is a foul.
If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. To help you get even better, practice dribbling the ball and quickly pulling up for a shot. Look at the target when you’re airborne and not a moment before. This helps to simulate game conditions and improving your accuracy.
Grabbing and keeping a rebound depends on how well you’re positioned before and after the ball comes off the rim. Use both feet to jump for the ball, then hold on with both of your hands. After the ball rebounds, keep your feed wider apart than your shoulders to improve your balance, and hold the ball closely to your chest.
Your off-court practice should mimic your on-court playing. Running sprints helps you get faster for individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina. To play more physically, lift weights to make yourself a more dominating presence. Your shooting abilities are greatly enhanced by a more self-assured, aggressive mindset.
Focus on the ball and where it is going. An important part of basketball is rebounding. It doesn’t matter if you defend an opponent greatly when they shoot and miss if you can’t get the ball once again.
You need to follow a rhythm when you dribble so you can break the rhythm and throw off an opponent. Dribble consistently, then break it up by dribbling fast. This will keep your opponent off balance so you can get in a good shot. When they are focused on stealing the ball, your change in rhythm can really throw them off.
Learning how to pass is critical to the game of basketball. Passing is effective at confusing the opponent. Also, it demonstrates your commitment to teamwork, and your teammates will be grateful. You can show your skills when the time is right. Relax, and soon enough your skills will be put to the test.
If you want to perform your best in basketball, you need to eat well. Basketball uses a lot of energy; therefore, it is important to fuel your body with lean protein and whole grains. Good foods that provide these essentials include nuts, lean meats and whole wheat breads. Conversely, avoid salt and sugar whenever you can.
If the opposing team is playing zone defense, a penetrating dribble can beat them. Getting by a defender and into the lane will cause the defending team to either shift or collapse on the ball. If you are safely inside the paint, you can try to make the shot. If you’re looking at an open teammate, pass them the ball so they can have the shot.
Having good positioning on the court when trying to grab a rebound will help you keep the ball. Use both feet to jump for the ball, then hold on with both of your hands. Following a rebound, land with feet spread wider apart than shoulder width. In this way, you can stay balanced and hold the ball close.
Perhaps you have been just began to play basketball before reading this great article. Or perhaps you’ve played ever since you were young. Whatever the case may be, you should be able to use what you’ve learned here so you can do better at basketball. Put these tips into action and you are sure to become a more effective player.
If you know your opponent has a weak hand, make them use it. Step toward their strong side with your foot to force them to react by switching sides. Your body should be lowered slightly and your head must be even with the player’s chest.
About The Author
