Few sports are as fast paced as basketball. You need energy, determination and motivation to really succeed from game to game. The other important thing you need is good information that will help you improve your skills. Take a look at this article and let these suggestions guide you to a better game.
Practice catching the basketball while you are moving and stopping cold for a shot. Basketball is a fast paced game, and the constant movement can throw your shot off during game time. This is especially true if you’ve practiced your shooting standing still. That is not as common in a game experience. Get the feel for moving, stopping, and shooting.
You can build your speed by learning the following technique. Begin your speed training by walking at a moderate speed for five minutes. Then, run as fast as you can for one minute. Follow this with a jog for five minutes. Then sprint again for one minute. Cool down by walking for five minutes.
Even though you may miss ten times in a row, you will succeed eventually. Keep calm and focus on your form instead of letting your emotions get to you. This will help you develop good habits and grow as a player. Each shot you take is unique and has nothing to do with the previous ten shots you just missed.
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.
Learn to pass more in basketball, even if it means giving up a good shot. Unless your team is down and must have the score, letting other players take a chance will improve the team as a whole. Taking all the shots that you can will cause other players and probably the coach to view you as selfish and not a true team player.
Speed and agility is important, but you need to know how to practice to improve those skills. Running yourself ragged by training for long lengths of time or by running long distances won’t benefit your play on the court. Instead, practice sprints and other short bursts of exercise. This better mimics how on the court play really is.
To make sure that you protect your ankles while you play basketball, wear shoes that are a little bit higher around them and lace them up. If you play in lower shoes, it is very easy to turn your ankle. Higher shoes keep you out on the court playing longer.
To get a good workout at practice, dribble back and forth on the court. Start by running to the free throw line, then go back to the end of the court. Then dribble to the middle and then go back, then to the far free throw line and then go back again, and then the entire length of the court.
Listen to your coach. Even if you don’t agree with him or her, your coach is the one with the plan. Remember, you’ve got four other people on the court with you, so a team plan of action is vital to your success. If just one person goes a different direction, then you’ll fail.
Have you ever ran out of gas on the court? No matter if you play for a team or as a hobby with friends, you want to be able to last. It takes more than just playing the game during practice to help build your stamina. Taking up some long-distance running and practicing different sprint drills can help.
Repetition in shooting is important to success. Once you perfect your shot, being able to repeat it will ensure you can score often. Practice repetition by laying on your back and resting the ball on the fingertips of your shooting hand. From this position, “shoot” the ball and practice getting the proper spin and rotation.
If you want to be a better jump shooter, learning the proper way to jump is one way to improve. It is extremely important your jump does not drift from side to side. If you begin to drift your shooting arm will lose aim at the basket. Jumping straight up and coming straight down will increase your accuracy and consistency.
Be flexible in your body movements. You’ve probably already noticed that when you try to guard someone who is in a stiff position and stays very still, that it is easier to guard them and take the ball. Those who are flexible and always moving around are much more difficult to catch.
Balance is key to taking a shot. When you jump, you should find that you land with both feet at the same time on the ground. You should also feel as if you are heading towards the net slightly when you are in the air. As you take a shot, close your eyes so you can feel what your body is doing.
You cannot stand under the net in a static manner if you want to catch a rebound. Where the ball will end up changes as the player with possession moves, so your position also has to be in flux. Continually readjust so you are in the best place to receive the ball.
If your team is in foul trouble, playing a zone defense can get you out of a jam. Playing the zone prevents the opposing team from driving to the basket, which makes it less likely your team will commit a foul. Playing the zone can also force an unprepared opponent to take poor perimeter shots.
Basketball really keeps you moving. It is high-energy and demands the best from players. Now that you have been exposed to some great tips and ideas, you can better enjoy the game. You can feel confident that you have some new or improved skills to bring to the court and dominate the competition.
