Of all the different sports commonly played today, basketball has to be one of the most entertaining and exciting. Millions of people love basketball. If you have ever watched the stars on TV and wished you can compete, then this article is for you. The following contains some professional advice from professional players who were once rookies like yourself.
When shooting a basketball, it is important to follow through. This means that you extend your arms out completely and flick your wrists as you release the ball. This give the ball extra force and speed. This force and speed allows you to make long distance shots that you normally wouldn’t be able to make.
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.
When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.
Keep your hands active. Use a deflective hand high to block shots and intercept passes. Use a ball hand low to block low passes and try to poke the ball away from your opponent. Always swipe your hand up when playing the ball. Swiping down at the ball could result in a foul.
One of the best tips for improving your shot is to practice. As simple as it may seem, this really is effective. Once you get a feel of where to stand and how to stand, it will be easier for you to make shots. Have a friend defend you to get better practice.
Where loose fitting shorts and a sports shirt that lets you move. Basketball is a very physical sport. There’s a lot of running, a lot of physical contact, and a ton of jumping. You want to wear clothes that let you move as well as possible. If you don’t, you’ll find your time on the court to be pretty miserable.
A player’s free-throw percentage is generally much higher than their field goal percentage. While part of this has to do with being in action with defenders right on you when shooting field goals, the other part is the dedicated form and practice put into this “free” shot. Be sure you spend some time practicing your free throws during each practice.
Never throw the basketball at another player. Even if you are angry or aggravated, it’s never smart to take your anger out with the ball. Not only will you draw a foul, you can also do some serious damage to the person you are throwing at. Take a breathe before you do anything stupid.
There are some drills you can practice to help you become a better player. For example, power crossovers: first, dribble with your right hand hard, and then quickly move the ball to your left hand. Repeat while passing the ball back to your right hand. This will make you a better at crossovers.
When it comes to making the shot, the key is to hold the ball the right way. Practice makes perfect, so hold your hands like they are claws and space out your fingers. Hold the ball with your fingers, not your palm. Hold the ball in your hand while watching TV to build your muscles.
To become a better rebounder in basketball you need to understand how to box out your opponent. The best way to box out your opponent so you can grab the ball off a missed shot is to get your body in front of him or her. Make sure you shield this person from the basket, this lets you grab the carom off the backboard and rim.
To turn a normal 2-3 zone into a trapping machine, have your top two defenders (your guards) wait until the point guard has come about ten feet past the time line (midcourt). Then your defending guards should encircle the point guard to trap him in place. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. A pass should be thrown by the point guard for forwards to steal.
A good place to start in basketball is to understand how to play defense. Usually the teams that win in the pros all play great defense. The reason being is that defense is usually much more consistent than offense. It’s a lot harder to make a shot than it is to defend one. Help your team win more, and learn defense!
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.
If someone is taking a shot from the center of the court, it is likely that the ball will bounce off the net or backboard straight back at them. Keep this in mind if you want to catch the rebound and score some points after they miss the shot.
You can now easily ascend from rookie to professional by following the tips above. Each idea is proven to improve your skills on the field. There is nothing holding you back from getting on the court and taking the game into your own hands. Get control of the ball and get control of the game.
