Are you new to the game of basketball? Have you seen it on TV and wondered how they are able to make all those great plays? Perhaps you would just like to know the basics so you can follow the game. If that’s the case then read on for simple tips that will introduce you to the game of basketball.
Learn the mechanics of a free throw. This is one of those shots that seem easy but in real life are difficult. The following technique should be practiced often. Start out by holding the basketball right in front of you. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Once you’ve visualized this, take your shot as you just saw it in your head.
Improve your offensive game by mastering the shot fake. With this move, players think you are going to shoot the ball, so they will jump up. Don’t really shoot the ball yet; instead, use this opportunity to maneuver around them and take your shot. They will be caught off guard and won’t have a chance to defend you.
Figuring out the opponent is a great way to do well against a tight defense. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. You should know if a player is right or left handed. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
Be careful about trying to block shots. In most organized leagues, blocking the shot on the way down or when in the imaginary cylinder above the net results in a goaltending call. This just gives the opponent the attempted points, whether they would have made the shot or not anyway.
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.
Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. This should befuddle your opponent. If you do it right, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. This play can be very powerful.
When you’re playing basketball, make sure that you dribble with your head up. If you feel that you have to look down every time you dribble, then you need more practice. Try to practice dribbling all over the place when you can without looking to get better at it. Watching good point guards can help since they always look forward and around when they dribble.
You must disrupt your opponent’s game when you’re playing defense. Take them out of their own comfort zone. Make assertive moves, keeping your opponent unsure of your next move. Which plays are made shouldn’t be up to them. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. It’s important, then, to be aggressive and mess up their game rhythms.
To play the best defense, you have to beat your man to the place he wants to go and force him to go somewhere else. This means that your feet have to move quickly, so practice shuffling from side to side without crossing your feet. This is the quickest way to move laterally on the floor and will frustrate your man.
Practice the three key things around the basket: dribbling, shooting, and rebounding. Everyone loves to shoot the basketball, but it’s only one part of a basketball game. You need to master all three of the things here to be a great player. If you only know how to shoot, you won’t last long on the court for a real game.
If your defender has their left foot forward, your right sided dribble won’t work. To get around them, crossover the ball to your left and step your right foot outside theirs. Dribble on the left a few times as you slide by and you will be on your way to scoring.
Box out every opportunity that you can. If you do not box out, you are going to find yourself sitting warmly on the bench after every break. When the rebound is there, take charge and get the coach’s attention with your awesome skill. Work this out in practice and apply it during the game.
To inbound a basketball when no one is open and your defender’s back is to you, you can pull a trick — just toss the ball lightly off the defender’s back. Then step inbounds with both feet and grab the ball and go. The ball just has to touch a player inbounds before you can touch it again.
When dibbling the ball, bend your knees. The basketball is much harder to control if you stand tall and the opposing team can snatch it more easily. You will gain a lot of ball control by bending your knees just a bit.
To play man-to-man defense, it is important to know where your man, the ball, and the basket all are. This keeps your man from sneaking behind you for a back-door pass, and it also allows you to steal over and help when the ball is across the court from your man.
Anybody can learn basketball if they have someone show them simple tips that help explain how the game is played. Thankfully, the information learned here has afforded you the opportunity to learn the basics of basketball. Read everything again and cement it to memory so the next time you won’t be lost when there is a basketball game on.
