If you would like to know more about basketball in general, then you are going to find out some helpful tips by reading this article. Perhaps you wish you could play more like the pros. Well, it takes having the right knowledge about the game and putting it to practice. Keep reading to find out what you need to know.
When shooting the basketball, it is important to maintain good balance. Jumping and leaning to the right or the left can result in a missed goal. Learn to jump straight up while maintaining your balance for best results. You can practice this by running and shooting the ball during your practice time.
When dribbling, make sure to keep your head straight up. If you find that you keep looking down at the ball, you haven’t practiced dribbling enough. You need to gain the advantage of being able to see the court while dribbling. Then you can surprise your opponent with smart passes and quick drives to areas where they are not.
When shooting a free throw, keep your knees slightly bent and relaxed for best results. This stance allows you to jump vertically without shifting from right to left; thus, helping you maintain an even, accurate shot. Release the ball at the top of your jump for added momentum to the shot.
Practice your passes and catches frequently. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. Be a better teammate by anticipating a bad pass to make sure it doesn’t get into the opponents hands.
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.
Don’t spend all your time practicing how to confront a zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you could run afoul of the scoreboard very fast.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. Know the dominant hand of every player. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. A defender with an education will be good at what they do.
There are some drills you can practice to help you become a better player. For example, power crossovers: first, dribble with your right hand hard, and then quickly move the ball to your left hand. Repeat while passing the ball back to your right hand. This will make you a better at crossovers.
Hopefully, you are ready to use the information that has been described here. While you certainly do not become the best basketball player overnight, you definitely can start improving with what you’ve read. So, get your basketball attire on and head to the basketball court to see what you’ve got!