In order to be great at basketball, you will need the best basketball shoes for wide feet and must remain dedicated and practice often. Even if you happen to be a purely recreational player, you probably still wish to play well. You can gain valuable knowledge when you read this article.
When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. Carry your basketball everywhere. Dribble while walking to the store. If you look your ball, you can’t see the court.
Practicing with your team is important, but don’t overlook the value of daily practice on your own. Set up a daily practice time for yourself and stick to your schedule. Practice footwork, shooting, and dribbling. It is also important to include strength training and endurance training in your practice schedule.
It is important to stay focused during the game. If you miss a shot, brush it off and continue with the game. Although you may feel bad about missing a shot, it is important to regain your focus quickly and continue on. Remember that even the professionals miss shots.
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.
Try yoga to improve your basketball game. You might not want to tell your teammates about it, since some of them are going to likely laugh. However, the increased flexibility and agility you get helps prevent injuries or at least leaves able to get back up quicker when you get knocked down. Don’t laugh; Kareem Abdul-Jabaar used it to extend his NBA career.
When a teammate passes you the ball, make the most out of it. If you have an open shot, go ahead and shoot. If you do not have an open shot or think that you can get open, do the right thing and pass it along to another teammate. They may have the shot that you don’t.
Keeping calm and reacting maturely to getting beat is as important to your game as anything else. If your opponent has played harder and has out-hustled you, don’t get upset or stressed out, as your game will only suffer. Instead, think about how to match the intensity of your opponent. Beat them at their own game.
Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials. Always be on the lookout for open areas where you can seize easy scoring opportunities.
Use two hands when trying to make shots. Have both thumbs on the ball so that they are almost touching. Put the ball over your head but be sure you are able to see what you are aiming for. When you shoot, aim for the backboard or give it a backspin by rolling your hands down while shooting.
When shooting free throws in basketball, make sure you properly line up with the basket. Your lead foot needs to be lined up with the rim’s center. If you’re right-handed, your lead foot will be the right foot. If your court has a hardwood floor, check it for a dot. If it has one, put your toe on it for a straighter shot.
If you are being heavily guarded, a pass between your legs might help. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.
Ball control is an essential skill for good basketball playing. One simple drill to improve your control is to use a ball in each hand for dribbling practice. Bounce one ball first and then just a second after, bounce the other. Alternate the bounce as you move down the court. As you gain more control, pick up the pace.
Keep a basketball in your hands or arms as much as you can. This pertains to off the court. Dribble whenever and wherever you can. Just carry a basketball around with you, playing with it gently when safe. You want to be as familiar with a basketball as any part of your own body.
When you dribble, bend your knees. The farther the ball has to bounce, the less control you will have of it. Bending your knees slightly will improve your overall ability to control the ball.
A good place to start in basketball is to understand how to play defense. Usually the teams that win in the pros all play great defense. The reason being is that defense is usually much more consistent than offense. It’s a lot harder to make a shot than it is to defend one. Help your team win more, and learn defense!
Get your hands up when playing defense. Get your hands in their face and obstruct their vision. They might be taller or faster than you, but if you get your hands up in their face and obstruct their field of view, you have a better chance of disrupting what they are intending on doing.
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.
To be sure that you are not withdrawing your hand too quickly when you take a shot, leave it up after the ball has left your hand for two seconds. If you pull your hand back too early, you can under power your shot or cause the ball to go off target.
Use these tips mentioned above and you’ll improve your game in no time. You’re going to see improvement as you go on, so remember what you have learned, apply the tips, and keep practicing. Having a three step plan is sure to lead you to success.
