Basketball has really exploded in popularity all over the world in the last twenty years and perhaps you are someone who is fascinated by this game. If you are looking for great tips to help you better understand basketball then you’re in the right place. The article below has great tips that are simple to understand.
Free throws require as much mental focus as physical skill. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Relax and concentrate on your basket to increase your free throws.
Learn how to be patient and trust your teammates during games. Many players fall into the trap of not passing the ball and trying to do it all themselves. You need to trust them and pass the ball. This is a team sport and passing is part of what helps your team win games.
As you develop your ability to shoot a basketball, try practicing on one foot only. This will improve many areas of your play, including accuracy when shooting. As you get better, move to practicing your shot from greater distances. Only after you master the basic techniques will you truly get better at long distance shots.
Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Give the back pass a try! Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.
Don’t prepare more for a game than you do for a practice. If you don’t tape up for practice, don’t do it for games. You will naturally take games more seriously than practice. However, you don’t need to start panicking over a game by overpreparing. Have a consistent and calm routine.
Never leave the practice court without taking some practice shots. Do some free throws, lay-ups and 3-point throws every practice before you leave. Of course you are doing some shooting during practice, but this additional practice will help you in the long run. Keep practicing your shooting on a daily basis.
Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Learn to play to your strengths and practice to improve your weak points. Not everyone on the team can be the guy who scores every point. Your position may be better suited on the defensive end. You can only learn these things through practice and play.
To become a better ball handler, there are two key things you should focus on. Staying low while you dribble will make it harder for opponents to guard you and to steal the ball. Changing speeds is also important. By changing speeds while you move you’ll become more unpredictable to your opponent.
Make basketball a learning activity. It isn’t always about playing. Sometimes it’s about studying. There are all sorts of unique moves, team plays, and rules that you can go over to give you as much knowledge as possible about the game itself. That knowledge can come in very handy during game time.
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.
Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Do not remain in one place. It’s not likely that you will be able to successfully catch and shoot without moving. Motion is key to being successful on the court.
If you’re playing the guard position, having good court vision is an absolute key to success. You should always keep your eyes moving and focus on what’s happening around you. Learn how to dribble the ball with your head up. Looking down while dribbling will mean you can’t see what’s happening on the court.
If you have a defender right in front of you, consider using an overhead pass. You can throw the ball so high that the defender can’t reach it, protecting it from their grasp. Aim high on the person intended to receive it so they can catch it near their chin.
When you are taking a free throw, be sure that your strong foot is out in front slightly. When your knees begin to straighten, let the ball go. Your heels should peel up off the floor as the ball leaves your hands. Use your stronger hand to follow through with the shot.
Understanding the game of basketball is quite simple when you have someone teach you the basics. After reading the article above you should now have a solid understanding of the fundamentals, which hopefully can make it easier for you to follow the game. Keep this article close by the next time you’re watching basketball to help you get more enjoyment out of the game.
