Basketball is one of those sports that everyone should learn how to play at some point or another. If you are one of those people that needs to learn or perhaps you just want to polish up some new skills, then this article is for you. The following tips are prepared to enhance any level of play.
When you rebound in basketball, make sure you make contact before your opponent.
You’ll be in control of what occurs if you are the first to make contact when boxing out. Hit them first before they get a chance to make contact with you so that you can get leverage. Be sure to anticipate and be sure you’re always first. This will provide you with an edge.
Jump naturally when shooting the ball. Do not overjump or else you will throw the ball’s trajectory off course. Learn this technique by performing it in slow motion during your practice sessions. Jump vertically and do not release the ball until you are at the peak of your jump.
Practice lay ups over and over. The lay-up is one of the most basic basketball shots out there. And you should never let this easy opportunity to score pass you by. While simple, it still takes practice in game-like scenarios to make sure you aren’t laying the ball up too hard or at a bad angle. Get the rhythm down and practice it repeatedly.
It is important to stay focused during the game. If you miss a shot, brush it off and continue with the game. Although you may feel bad about missing a shot, it is important to regain your focus quickly and continue on. Remember that even the professionals miss shots.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. When you know your opponent, you will be better able to play an effective defensive game. A smart defender is someone who is good at his position.
In the off season, it is important to stay in shape so you can be at your best when the games begin again. Formulate a few goals, but make sure they are goals that you can actually reach. For example, jogging may be a part of your routine. Start slow and then increase your time as your endurance goes up. You are more likely to stick with your program this way.
Moving without the ball is an important skill to master if you want to become a better scorer. Standing still while on offense just makes you that much easier to guard. Instead, you should stay active and constantly be moving around. You’ll not only wear down your opponent, but you’ll also get more open shots.
Master the stop and shoot. Basketball is so much about the movement that sometimes the most effective manner to get clear of an opponent is to surprise them with no movement at all. Master dribbling up court fast and when you hit a mark you’re comfortable with, stop short, pull up, and shoot. Your opponent will find it tough to stop their forward movement, so you’ll have a clear look at the basket.
It is important that you can clearly see everything that is occurring during a game. This will help you to secure the ball during the game. Try making your peripheral vision the best it can be. This will help you see the whole game better and anticipate openings and defense players.
To inbound a basketball successfully, you have to be able to look one way and pass another. Many times, defenders will follow your eyes to try to guess where you are going to throw, so if you can look to the left and pass to the right, you will fake many defenders out.
If your defender is playing you low, pass the ball to teammates using the overhead pass. Be aware of where your teammate will catch the ball. If you throw it too low, the ball will be uncontrollable. If you throw it too high, your teammate may not catch the ball at all.
Increasing the strength of your hands is a great way to improve your ball-handling skills for basketball. Finger pushups should be a regular part of your basketball practice routine. You can also increase hand strength by squeezing a tennis ball on and off throughout the day. Begin by doing this every other day and build up to 6 days per week.
Always run when entering or exiting the court. It doesn’t matter if the situation is a time out or a substitution. Never, ever show an opponent that you are worn down or tired. The psychological warfare of basketball is always waged, whether the clock is ticking down or not.
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.
Take care of your feet. Your feet are important to your game so take the time to make sure they are taken care of properly. Even something as seemingly silly as an ingrown toenail can become a major pain issue if not treated properly. So Get minor health issues taken care of so they don’t become major ones that affect your whole game.
Whether a rookie or a professional, you can improve your game by remembering these fundamentals. Practice as often as possible and learn to handle the ball like a pro. Basketball becomes much more entertaining when you are able to keep pace with the other players. These tips can help you keep that pace and even surpass it.