The number of people that have enjoyed watching and playing basketball can’t be overstated. There is so much to learn about basketball, though. Keep reading if you’d like to get some insight as to what you should do to get better at basketball.
Improving your flexibility will greatly help you during a game. If you’re flexible, you’ll be able to move around defenders better. Flexibility will help you to move better when you’re being blocked. You’ll be able to do more moves than others which will result in you getting the change to score or pass freely without being blocked.
If you are in a good position to receive a pass, put your hand up in the air so the current dribbler can see you. The basketball court is surprisingly small when you’re actually on it. And when you’re playing in a game filled with ten people, there’s a lot of chaos going on in that small space. Sometimes that hand is necessary so that the dribbler sees the option.
You should often work on your layups. You should expect layups to represent about 80% of all the shots you take in a game. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.
Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Consider the back pass. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. This should be helpful in tricking them team.
If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.
Play full-court basketball whenever you can. If you love playing, then you probably know a half-dozen spots where you can play street ball or playground pick-up games. While these are good, they don’t give you the practice or experience of getting down the whole court. This matters in fast break situations, both offensive and defensive.
Set up an obstacle course with chairs or pylons and then dribble around them. This will help you learn how to get around opponents while keeping control of the ball. As you get better, make sure your back is to the obstacle as you go by to protect the ball from it.
A great way to practice the fast break is to get the ball up the court in less than five dribbles. It may seem impossible, but the more you practice this rule, the easier it becomes. During game time you will notice yourself using this to your advantage during the fast break.
Never try to score the point at the expense of shutting other players out. You are part of a team which means everyone is valued. It means working together and sometimes playing a minor part in another player’s winning shot. Just remember that your team can’t win if you are the only one to make shots.
Even though dribbling movement should start with the feet and below the knees, finish or follow through the movements with your whole body. The right combination of eye and arm motions can actually throw your defender off for even a half of a second, giving you the daylight you need to make a play or pass.
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.
If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. All the other lines are closer. By learning to shoot from NBA distances, you improve your range tremendously.
Use workouts to better your game. Running for long distances will increase your stamina, while running sprints will help you with fast-paced moves. Lifting weights and doing resistance training is going to help you to build muscle to take shots. Your shooting abilities are greatly enhanced by a more self-assured, aggressive mindset.
Basketball offers both a fun physical activity and a great spectator sport. But, if you really want to make the most of the game, then it helps to know something about the game. It is our sincere hope that the information presented here has given you some insights that will enhance your enjoyment of the game.
