Do you find basketball interesting enough that you would like to learn more about it? You aren’t alone! Lots of folks watch basketball games and marvel at what the professionals can do. This piece offers some terrific tips straight from the pros.
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 you have the ball, make sure you change your direction frequently. The entire court is open to you, and it is important to take advantage of that fact. As you move to the right or the left, make sure you shift your weight accordingly to have the easiest experience moving with the ball.
When shooting a free throw, keep your knees slightly bent and relaxed for best results. This stance allows you to jump vertically without shifting from right to left; thus, helping you maintain an even, accurate shot. Release the ball at the top of your jump for added momentum to the shot.
Do not only practice zone defense plays. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up. When you don’t know how to defeat it, you will lose.
If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Certain pro guards ended up increasing their arm size so much that their shooting started to suffer.
Stop and ask your coach what you can do to help the team improve. Basketball is a team sport and every component must be working towards a common goal. The coach is there to offer guidance and provide instruction. Ask if there’s anything specific you can do to help and follow his advice.
Keep your footwork in mind while playing defense. Taking short steps will give you a better foothold on your opponent. Remember to push off your front foot. When you take long steps, it is more difficult to defend against a driving opponent. Check your distance from your opposing player by extending one arm.
Learn how to turn on your pivot foot when stopped with the ball. Being able to pivot is an important skill to learn. If you’ve pulled up your dribble, you can no longer take any steps forward. That means your back foot can’t move. But you can pivot on it to face different directions and fake out an opponent. It can help you out of a jam.
Keep your opponents guessing as to where you will be going next. Dart right, lean left, move back and forward too. The more movement you have on the court, they less likely they are to be able to guess what your plans are, allowing you to trick them and make the shot.
If the basketball game is quickly getting out of hand for your team, find a way to slow the pace down. Your opponent wants to keep the chaos for your team going as it’s causing you all to make mistakes. You need to do the opposite. The minute you have the ball, dribble up court slowly. Or take a time out if you’ve got one available.
When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This will easily confuse your opponents. Not only will they not see the pass coming, they may think a pass is going in the opposite direction. If you can master this move, it can really work in your favor.
Keep changing up your pace to help keep your opponents on their toes. When running toward the hoop, plant your leading foot and start to straighten up. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. Like them, push and run past them.
Don’t think that a shot has to be perfect to be taken. A lot of good shooters constantly remind themselves that the standard goal is large enough to take in two balls at once. There’s also a backboard that sometimes gives a lucky bounce. That leaves a good margin for error where you can make a less than perfect shot and still get points.
When dribbling, bend your knees. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team. Just a little bending at the knees can make a huge difference in your overall ball control.
Try not to pass the ball further than about 18 feet. If you go longer, you will find that it is easier for the ball to be intercepted by the other team. Shorter passes will always be more successful, so try to stand close to whomever you are passing to.
Take care of your feet. Your feet are important to your game so take the time to make sue 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.
To make great free throws, you need to arc the ball about four feet above the net. If you don’t put an arc into your shot, you are unlikely to get the ball into the net. Practice creating an arc with your shots so you can master free throws when you face them.
The goal to improving a game is building conversation with your teammates. Basketball requires a team. This means you can’t plan your strategy without taking your teammates into account. You have to help everyone out. Communicate and have everyone on the same page in order to play better.
The tips you’ve just read can elevate you from a casual enthusiast to an effective basketball player. By this point, you are enjoying a stronger sense of confidence in your abilities. Get started playing basketball with this advice.
