People all over the world love to watch and play basketball. Many famous players, including Michael Jordan, Yao Ming, and Kobe Bryant, are global celebrities. You may not be on their level as a player, but if you love to play basketball, you can profit from reading the following tips.
Watch your form while you dribble the ball. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling. This allows you to control the ball much better while you dribble. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Look up, not down.
One of the most important things to understand is when to make the shot. Taking a dangerous shot can result in the ball being overturned. If you do not feel comfortable making the shot, pass it to a teammate and either let them make the shot or get into a better position to make the shot.
When rebounding, start moving as soon as the shooter uncoils. When you react and move quicker, you better anticipate their moves and get more rebounds. When they start to uncoil, start contact by blocking them out. Make sure to do the same thing on offense since the shooter will most likely try to uncoil after the rebound. This can boost your number of rebounds.
Work on becoming a more clever basketball player, rather than trying to master a few clever plays. Your opponents will eventually figure out your plays, but will have difficulty if they cannot anticipate your overall playing ability. Learn to be surprising, quick thinking and more agile in your ability to get the ball and work the court.
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.
Shoot at least a hundred free throws every day. Not only does this make you a better free throw shooter, but it helps all your shooting. You can step on a court any day of the week familiar with the sight and sound of you putting the ball in the goal. This gives you serious mental confidence, regardless of how or where you actually shoot.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. The more knowledgeable a defender is, the stronger he is.
Strive to be a player that everyone can respect. You are representing your team both on the court and off. That means that you need to be a good sport and to not think that your status as a player makes you better than anyone else. The most popular players are often popular because of the way they deal with teammates and fans.
To shoot a basketball outdoors, you have to be ready for the conditions. On the blacktop, the wind can send your shot off, so as you start shooting around beforehand, get used to factoring that wind in by aiming to one side or the other. This will boost your accuracy.
Passing the ball is a necessary part of basketball. You should practice a variety of passing options and work to determine which pass is best for each situation. Try to make the simplest pass possible to ensure a successful transfer of the ball to a teammate. Pass the ball when your teammate is in a better position on the court or when you are being closely defended.
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.
Balance is an important aspect in basketball, especially when taking a shot. When shooting, make sure you are balanced both side to side and from front to back. Do not be leaning away from the shot or lunging forward. If you keep your balance on shots, you will make baskets more consistently.
If a defender is hot on your heels, a one handed pass is a must. If their hands are up high, fake a high throw and then bounce it under their arm. If their hands are instead low, fake a bounce pass and toss it over their arm to the recipient instead.
Keep your eyes on the court when you dribble. You want to be able to see an open teammate to pass the ball to, and you will also be able to keep an eye out for people trying to take the ball from you. Get very good at dribbling while keeping your eyes up.
Always take a two handed approach to possession of the basketball. Catch passes with both hands. Rebound the ball with both of your hands. Pick up loose balls with both of your hands. Always secure full and safe possession of the basketball before making a pass or starting your dribble.
It is as important to guard a player who doesn’t have the ball as it is to guard those who do. If you leave that person, they may be passed the ball and can take the shot without you being prepared. Always treat the person you are guarding as if they are about to score.
Perhaps you are not quite ready for the NBA, but this does not mean that you should not focus on becoming a better basketball player. The advice that you have just read can be invaluable. Incorporate these tips into your game so that you can dominate the court the next time you play.
