Basketball is simple, right? Run, dribble, shoot and score. What else do you need to know? Plenty, to be honest. Learning the game and improving your skills is never ending. The moment you think you have it all locked down, someone comes along and shows some moves you never expected. This article might just have some tricks to give you some moves of your own.
When you are practicing your shooting, make sure that you practice shots that you may be required to make during a game. You should try to shoot the ball while moving around, standing still, and right after you receive a pass. You can have someone toss you a ball while you’re running in order to practice taking a shot after the ball has been passed to you.
When handling the ball, make sure you spread out your fingers. This makes it less likely that the ball will slip away from you. Also, keep your palm from making contact with the ball. Only your fingers should be involved in the process of getting the ball to where you want it to go.
The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. If you look at the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.
Practice makes perfect. This is especially true in basketball. Learning how to shoot a basket, how to dribble and how to pass a ball is important to playing good basketball. Spending as little as 30 minutes practicing a day can really help develop your game and make you a better player.
To become a better dribbler in basketball, practice with your eyes closed. This will help you to be able to dribble while keeping a close watch on the action of the game. Be sure to practice while you’re moving too, so that you can dribble and maneuver around the court without ever having to look down at the ball.
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.
One of the hardest skills to learn in basketball is how to relax while shooting. Concentrating on the back of the rim or where you want the ball to hit on the backboard are great ways to practice this. It might seem strange learning how to relax, but the more you do it, the better prepared you will be come game time.
Practice as many different shots as you can. You never know when you will need one during a game. If you only practice bank shots, then you will feel less comfortable making a 3-point shot or a lay-up. Practice them all and you will see improvements in all of your shots.
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.
Stamina is key to playing a good ball game. Basketball games are filled with running back and forth along the court. By increasing your stamina, you can stay in the game longer. One way to increase your stamina is by running a few miles each day, followed by a cool down workout.
Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. Monitor scouting news and watch footage of other teams in action. Know which players are left and right handed. Having a good understanding about your opponent strengths and weaknesses allows you to focus on how to better stop him. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.
As the old saying goes, there is no “I” in team. So don’t focus exclusively on trying to be the one to make all the winning points. Make sure you are just as determined to help your team members score their winning points as well. Being a team player means the whole team working together, each playing their own part to win the game.
It is easy to see that there is more to learn about the great sport of basketball. It is a constantly evolving sport that demands the same from your skills. Learn, as you did with this article, and get what you want from your game. Keeping your game fresh is the way to win.
