Basketball is among the most loved and followed sports in the world. The fans number in the millions. To fully enjoy basketball, whether as enthusiastic spectator or player, you need to fully understand this game. This article below can help with that.
One of the first things you need to learn when it comes to basketball is how to guard the ball. To help develop the skills needed for this, ask your friends for a friendly game of basketball. Invite some players who are skilled to teach you how to guard the ball.
Always protect the ball when you are in possession of it. Keep your dribble off to the side of your body to make it more difficult for another player to steal the ball. While you generally want to avoid dribbling in front of you, you can do so if there are no other players in your immediate vicinity.
As you dribble, bring your body down just a little closer to the ground. This will make it easier to bounce the ball. If the ball has a shorter distance to travel between the ground and your hand, you are less likely to make a mistake that leads to a turnover.
Footwork is an important skill to practice daily if you want to improve your basketball game. Players with exceptional foot work can move around their opponents at will. It is essential to include both slow paced running and fast sprints in your practice sessions. You can practice first without a ball and then add dribbling to your footwork sessions.
Never pass the ball and stand still. This is a mistake most often made by those new to the game of basketball. Once you’ve passed the ball, you need to work to get into the best position possible to be passed to again or to grab a rebound from a shot.
Always follow through when shooting. A great way to practice is to hold your follow through until the ball goes in the basket or misses. This will give you some clues on why you missed a shot or where you need to strive for consistency. Watch how other players follow through and follow their lead.
To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. That makes it less likely that you lose control of the ball. Don’t let your palms touch it. Remember to maintain contact with the ball through your fingers only.
When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. Practicing with a jump rope is a great way to increase your foot speed.
To develop an accurate shooting stroke, put your dominant hand under the ball and use your other hand on the side of the ball, as a guide. If you develop this consistency, you will be able to follow through with your shooting hand and get a high, looping arc that is more likely to go through the hoop.
When dribbling, try to make your moves below your knee joints. This will mean you have to bend over to dribble the ball and move, but there are advantages. It creates a little more personal space, making the ball harder for an opponent to steal. It also makes it far easier to shake off an opponent for a drive, a shot or a pass.
Remember that being good at basketball starts with being athletic. That means working on all of your skills, not just those which involve a ball. Run to build stamina and your cardiovascular health, and lift weights to build your strength. The harder you work on your overall condition, the better you will play.
Build a consistent routine for your free throws. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. Practice and repetition are the only way to become a consistent free thrower. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.
Have a good support system off of the court and appreciate their efforts. Whether it is your parents who support you by bringing you to games and financing your necessities or it is the sponsors who support your team, they all contribute to a winning team and should be acknowledged and appreciated.
Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you’re able to dribble in any situation. Don’t assume that you are able to just stand anywhere, catch the ball and shoot it. You have to start moving the basketball around to get things to happen.
It is hard to rival the excitement and passion so many people feel for basketball. However, it’s so easy for novices to be lost, wondering what the fuss is all about. Hopefully the information learned here has helped you to have a better grasp on how to play better basketball.
