Few sports are quite so thrilling to watch and play as basketball. There is something about racing down the court and tossing up a shot that is very exciting. However, you also want to make sure your shots go in. To improve your game, read the advice in the following article.
A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Basketball games are won with a good defense. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.
Footwork is an important skill to practice daily if you want to improve your basketball game. Players with exceptional foot work can move around their opponents at will. It is essential to include both slow paced running and fast sprints in your practice sessions. You can practice first without a ball and then add dribbling to your footwork sessions.
One of the hardest skills to learn in basketball is how to relax while shooting. Concentrating on the back of the rim or where you want the ball to hit on the backboard are great ways to practice this. It might seem strange learning how to relax, but the more you do it, the better prepared you will be come game time.
When you think you have a good shot, take it. This can be difficult to learn. There is a balance between not shooting enough and shooting too often. You never want to miss out on taking a great shot because you are looking to pass, but you do not want to miss on a couple of points because you do not make the pass.
Once you’ve passed the basketball while on offense, consider doing a hard cut straight towards the basket. Sometimes this action will break your man-to-man coverage or, at the very least, confuse the zone you are playing against. It can open you up for an easy lay up or distract the defense long enough for an easy perimeter shot for whoever currently has the ball.
Picking the right basketball shoe can be very important to your game. If you need support for your ankles, choose a high top sneaker. Make sure that the sole of the shoe has enough traction to prevent slipping. Always buy a shoe that is the correct size by having your feet measured at a sporting goods store.
Learn to pass more in basketball, even if it means giving up a good shot. Unless your team is down and must have the score, letting other players take a chance will improve the team as a whole. Taking all the shots that you can will cause other players and probably the coach to view you as selfish and not a true team player.
Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Honestly and openly assess your own performance. Sometimes, it helps a lot to see yourself as you really are and not as just you imagine yourself to be.
To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot. However, they need to be the same combination of movements each time. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.
To be a great basketball player, you have to make the ball part of your body. It may seem silly but roll it in your hands, dribble in the driveway, go for walks with it and take it with you wherever you go. The more time that ball spends attached to your body, the harder it will be for defenders to take it from you on the court.
Always know what spots on the court players are good at scoring from. You want to know this about yourself so you can make high percentage shots. You want to know this about teammates so you can pass the ball to them when they are in a killspot and open. When possible, know this about opponents in order to defend them better.
Always share with your teammates. When someone begins to guard you, start looking for someone to pass to and stop dribbling. If you don’t, your teammates won’t bother trying to find an open spot as they will know that you are a ball hog who doesn’t pass when the time is right.
Once you start to use these tips when you play, you will see a dramatic improvement in your game. Your shots will fall more frequently, you will be a better defender, and your understanding of the game will be on a whole new level. Use this advice to maximize your potential on the court.
