Just about everyone has at least a rudimentary notion of what basketball is all about. However, many people are interested in taking their understanding of the sport to a whole new level. If you are among those wishing to learn more, this article can serve as a very useful resource going forward.
When you dribble a basketball, you are supposed to use your fingertips. Many people think you are supposed to use your palm, but this is incorrect. Using the tips of your fingers when you are dribbling the ball will result in you being able to dribble more in a shorter amount of time.
Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.
When prepping for the basketball season, walk around with the basketball as often as you can. Take the time to throw the ball from one hand to the other, and even flip it around your back. Your goal is to improve your hand/ball coordination so that the ball feels as if it’s part of you.
Keep your hands active. Use a deflective hand high to block shots and intercept passes. Use a ball hand low to block low passes and try to poke the ball away from your opponent. Always swipe your hand up when playing the ball. Swiping down at the ball could result in a foul.
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.
Proper aim is crucial when trying to make baskets. Ideally, you should aim for the small square found on the backboard. Doing this increases your chances of the ball actually going down the basket. Avoid trying to aim for the next; you are less likely to be successful when doing so.
Remember that refs don’t see, catch or call everything. You’re going to get fouled sometimes and not hear the whistle. Just remember that works both ways. You will also get away with some fouls that aren’t called. Respect the refs, but remember that they don’t determine the winner and loser.
Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.
Learn how to use your hips, eyes, shoulders and entire body while dribbling. This can easily shake a defender off of you while dribbling if you look one way and move another. They are watching your body for clues to where you are going next. Use this to your advantage and throw them incorrect clues to get around them.
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.
Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. An errant toe to the baseline while holding the ball will result in an “out of bounds” call. In addition, if you move your feet and you don’t dribble, you will be called for walking. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.
Moving without the ball is an important skill to master if you want to become a better scorer. Standing still while on offense just makes you that much easier to guard. Instead, you should stay active and constantly be moving around. You’ll not only wear down your opponent, but you’ll also get more open shots.
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.
If you want to be sure that you are dribbling correctly, dribble in some dirt. When you’re done, take a look at your hands. If your fingers are dirty while your palm is nice and clean, then you are holding the ball correctly. A dirty palm means you need to refine your technique.
To convert the typical 2-3 zone to a trapping machine, get the best pair of defenders available to wait just until the opposing point guard reaches roughly ten feet beyond the mid-court line. Then, they ought to trap the point guard. While this is going on your forwards can be sprinting to the players located on the wings. The point guard will make a pass that forwards can steal.
Never watch the opponents feet, always watch their chest instead. Many players have learned how to fake out opponents with their feet, so it is better to focus your attention on their chest. It is much more difficult to fake upcoming movements with the chest than it is with the eyes or feet.
Most people understand the sport of basketball on at least some level, but that is not to say that they are satisfied with their present level of knowledge. By learning as much as possible about basketball, one’s enjoyment of the sport can grow to a surprising degree. Hopefully this article has provided the basis for a long-lasting love affair with basketball.
