Basketball is exciting to watch but it is much more fun to play. That said, few understand the game enough to play well. This article is intended to help folks of all skill levels appreciate basketball more and improve their game significantly.
Watch your form while you dribble the ball. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Dribble to the side of your body rather than directly in front of you, bouncing at waist level. Always look up and never look down at the ground.
Learn the best way to make your free throws. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. Practice constantly using this tip. Start with the ball positioned right before your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Shoot on the same path you saw in your mind’s eye.
If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. Stronger core muscles will help them be more resistant and allow them to develop many different athletic abilities. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.
A great way you can prepare for what happens on the basketball court is to avoid having your back to the ball. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way. Pay attention to open areas for passes, too.
Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies. For example, you might look to see which players favor their left side and which have dominant right hands. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. The strongest defenders are those who have information.
A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Be honest when assessing, but avoid being overly critical. Sometimes you think of yourself as something you are not.
For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. Just keep things brief, but make sure you always do the same moves.
If you are being heavily guarded, a pass between your legs might help. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. Mastering this skill will provide you with a major advantage on the court.
Basketball has been very appealing to most people. Knowledge is what it takes to have fun with basketball and play it to the best of your ability. Use the information you learned today to help take your love for this game to an entirely new level of satisfaction.
