Learning the basics of basketball is quite easy. It doesn’t take long to learn the basics. But there’s still a lot to learn, and thee tips can help you get there.
When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Dribble the ball while you’re walking around. By looking forward instead of at the basketball, you are able to see the happenings on the court.
It is easy to be focused on offense when you are learning how to play basketball, but you really should focus your practice on defense. Basketball games are often won by the defense. Even though everyone loves to watch offense, defense is what wins you most games.
Constantly practice layups. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.
Learn proper dribbling. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. When you do this you will have more control over the ball. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Instead of focusing on the ground, gaze upward.
Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.
You should practice your crossovers a lot. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.
Use hand signals to avoid errant passes. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.
Need to dupe the opposition? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. If you wish to try this pass, get the ball in your dominant hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. This should make it easy to trick the other team.
Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.
Understanding the opponent is a good way to win with defense. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. One simple thing to know before the game is if your opponent shoots with their right or left hand. If you know their game, you can defend against it. Smart defenders are good defenders.
Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. You should only use your fingers to touch the ball when passing or shooting.
Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Look at how you did and judge yourself. It is prudent that you look at yourself as others do and not as how you would like to be.
If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.
Free Throw
If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better. Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.
High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. By developing a quick ritual, you can help train your body to make free throws.
To maximize your layups, take off with the foot that opposes your shooting hand. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. This will allow you to be more balanced while moving closer to the basket while keeping your body between the defender and you.
To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. Thus, if you use your right hand for shooting, you need to push off using your left foot. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.
Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. You are able to rebound the ball without fouling someone.
Increase your weak hand’s capabilities by using it for everything you normally would not. Try becoming ambidextrous outside of the court, and you will soon find that you do not have a weaker hand when playing basketball. Your basketball skills will benefit.
Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. When closely guarding another player, cease dribbling and pass it to another play on your team that’s open.
Don’t stop dribbling until you are ready to pass or shoot. Once you stop dribbling, you are extremely limited in your options. If you opt to not pass or shoot, you’re left with pivoting on your back foot. That will allow your opponents to double team you and potentially steal the ball.
Never pass up a charging opportunity. Taking a charge allows you a chance to earn a defensive stop, take the ball for your team, and sets up one more foul against the opponent. It can be a momentum changer by making the other team think twice about dribbling the ball into the lane.
In order to be a more effective player, one thing you have to do is talk to teammates about strategies. Basketball is a sport played by a team. Meaning offense and defense is played, not just one on one. Everyone should help each other. Speak with them and make them aware of when you require assistance so that all of you play better.
To help practice three-point shooting you should practice shooting at the NBA distance. College, as well as high school three-point lines are set at a shorter distance. If you get it from the NBA range, your open looks will have deeper range than defense will mind you until you begin hitting.
One way to misdirect your opponent is to dribble in a rhythm, then break that rhythm. Dribble consistently, then break it up by dribbling fast. This will keep your opponent off balance so you can get in a good shot. Speed and rhythm are two of the strongest advantages you can have to thwart the opposing team.
Practice shooting hundreds of shots during each training, and you quickly improve shooting skills. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Avoid looking at your target until you are in the air. Doing so allows you to move more precisely and with greater accuracy.
Practice all kinds of shots from various spots on the court. Practice your grip and balance first. It is possible to make a shot when your balance is off, but it is a lot less likely. To get a perfect grip, use the basketball valve as a point of reference. Put the middle of your shooting hand over the basketball’s valve.
Don’t stop dribbling until you are ready to pass or shoot. You have few options remaining to you after you stop dribbling. If you don’t shoot or pass, you will have just stand there pivoting. The opposition will cling onto you like a magnet.
Where you are before and following a rebound is going to mean the difference between possessing the ball or giving it to the other team. Jump with both feet for improved power and balance and retrieve the ball with both hands. After grabbing a rebound, keep your landing wide to improve balance.
Always know the angles the ball is likely to take if it misses a goal. In this situation, you must anticipate the path of the ball to gain possession of the rebound.
Proper passing is key to a game. Passing can work to confuse opponents. It also builds your team’s camaraderie. You have to wait for the right time to showcase your talents. You’ll have this time appear, so take your time and allow other to shine as well.
When catching a rebound, be sure to land with legs that are spread wider than your shoulder span, to help keep your balance. Hold the ball with two hands tightly against your chest. Don’t let your elbows poke another player or you will gain a foul.
To be very good at basketball you need to learn how to pivot. Practice often so you do not have to think about pivoting during a game. Work on your stance, and then practice reacting quickly when you’ve got the ball in your hands.
Your should have good position both before and after a rebound to assure you keep the ball. Jumping with both feet creates a more balanced, powerful motion. During the jump, use both hands to gain possession of the basketball. After rebounding the ball, land with your feet wider than your shoulders for better balance and keep the ball close to your chest.
You might be a complete novice at basketball. Maybe you are a long-time player. Either way, you can benefit from the information contained within this article. Make use of this advice the next time you step onto the court.
When you have the ball, know when to try to make a shot and then when to pass it off to someone who has a better shot. You’ll feel better if you’re able to help your teammates score the winning shot than you would if you cost your team the game.
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