Learning to play basketball is an extremely fun and beneficial opportunity. Maybe you already play with a group of friends or maybe you are considering trying out for a local team. The following ideas are tips that the professionals practice each and every day. If you want to play in the big leagues, you have to learn how the big leagues play.
When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. Take the ball with you wherever you go. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.
When you think you have a good shot, take it. This can be difficult to learn. There is a balance between not shooting enough and shooting too often. You never want to miss out on taking a great shot because you are looking to pass, but you do not want to miss on a couple of points because you do not make the pass.
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.
You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. If your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.
If you play serious team basketball, jump rope for thirty minutes before practice sessions. You’ll get used to playing basketball already winded and tired. Doing this can make you very prepared to make shots in late game situations, as your conditioning is already a notch above anyone else just showing up to practice.
Don’t just practice offense. Unlike some other sports, basketball players need to play both offense and defense constantly. There are no breaks in the game, and a great shooter can negate his or her benefit to the team by being a very poor defender. You need to become good on both ends of the court.
To play your best game of basketball, it is important to keep focused. Even when the action is not near your position, remain aware of the action and be ready to move fast. A positive attitude combined with being fully focused on what you are doing can give you the competitive advantage.
Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. If this move is something you master, you’ll have an advantage when you go out to play a game.
Want to try a drill which will really work you out? Try dribbling with two balls at once! This will help you learn to master dribbling with both hands, plus it will build your arm muscles very quickly. You can’t use your eyes for this exercise, so you will learn to dribble without looking at your hands.
A great way to practice the fast break is to get the ball up the court in less than five dribbles. It may seem impossible, but the more you practice this rule, the easier it becomes. During game time you will notice yourself using this to your advantage during the fast break.
To get offensive rebounds in basketball, you have to learn how to follow the basketball off the rim. Get used to watching people shoot, and see how the ball caroms off. Then get used to anticipating those bounces, so you can get around the defender before he even thinks to box you out.
Never try to score the point at the expense of shutting other players out. You are part of a team which means everyone is valued. It means working together and sometimes playing a minor part in another player’s winning shot. Just remember that your team can’t win if you are the only one to make shots.
A great way to stay in a correct defensive stance is to always stay in position no matter what. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position. Don’t ever allow your feet to cross to become a hard player to pass.
Always try and play against players that are better than you. That’s how you improve your game the fastest. Not only do you see and learn what they do, but you just get better yourself from playing against them. You’ll figure out what works and what doesn’t work pretty quickly.
Always bend the knees while dribbling. Standing while dribbling will make it much easier for the opponent to steal the ball from you. A bit of a bend will boost your control.
Keep your eyes on the court when you dribble. You want to be able to see an open teammate to pass the ball to, and you will also be able to keep an eye out for people trying to take the ball from you. Get very good at dribbling while keeping your eyes up.
Success in basketball is now a step closer than it was before. You can now head onto the court with confidence in your knowledge of the sport and its mechanics. Use the tips you have read here to surpass the other players and become the team star. Nothing is holding you back.
