Countless fans and players the world over love basketball. Whether you are seeking to make basketball your life focus or you simply enjoy a pickup game with some buddies, it’s easy to get started with the basics. Keep reading to learn how to become a better player.
It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring. Even though everyone loves to watch offense, defense is what wins you most games.
When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover. You must do it fast for best success. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.
To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team. Learn what your strengths are, then practice to perfection!
Free throws are as mental as physical. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time. Relax yourself and concentrate on your shot.
A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. Go to actual games or watch on TV. You’ll be able to learn from the moves they make.
Work on catching passes frequently. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. Learning how to catch these errant passes will put you at an advantage.
Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes. Practice with each type of defense so you will know what to expect.
Do you want to fool the other team? Give the back pass a try! To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand. Then you will want to pull the ball into position behind your back. Next, snap your wrist in the direction you want the ball to be moved to. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.
Build hand signals so passes are more successful. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. This can be prevented through the use of hand signals. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.
A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. It’s all about court awareness, and always facing the ball will make it so you are less surprised by passes. That means less turnovers. Make sure you also have the court in your line of vision as well, so you know when and where you can drive in for the score.
Chances are you are not feeling more confident and knowledgeable about basketball. It really is not that hard, you just need a bit of knowledge and dedication. When you first start playing, you will want to keep doing it. You can have fun at the same time!
PAUL EMPEY
