The Best Basketball Advice You Will Read
The first time you stepped on the basketball court it probably was magic. You probably learned how to dribble the ball and make a shot. You might feel like you’re a basketball master today. But these tips here may show you a few new tricks!
Really practice the types of shots that you’d get in a typical game experience. Yes, it’s fun to play HORSE and try crazy shots, but that’s not prepping you for actual game play. You want to get the types of shots you usually see down cold. Practice them over and over.
When shooting a basketball, it is important to follow through. This means that you extend your arms out completely and flick your wrists as you release the ball. This give the ball extra force and speed. This force and speed allows you to make long distance shots that you normally wouldn’t be able to make.
Proper balance is essential when shooting. While the all-time greats have shown time and time again how they can shoot while off-kilter, this is not the ideal way to score. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.
Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Relax and concentrate on your basket to increase your free throws.
Keep in mind that basketball shoes don’t last forever. Ask questions at the store or do research to find out just how many games or months a good pair should last before needing replacement. You need to feel safe in the quality of your footwear when moving on the court.
Don’t prepare more for a game than you do for a practice. If you don’t tape up for practice, don’t do it for games. You will naturally take games more seriously than practice. However, you don’t need to start panicking over a game by overpreparing. Have a consistent and calm routine.
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.
If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. Inconsistent shooting will lead to inconsistent results. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. Failing to stick with your routine can adversely affect your shooting accuracy.
Try some drills that require you to move the basketball from one end of the court to the other in no more than five dribbles. This may seem to be too difficult at first, but once you’re able to do it you’ll have a lot of speed and stride length. This may mean you can get your team some numbers for a period of time, or you can do easy lay-ups.
Holding the ball correctly means using just your fingers, and that requires great hand strength. To build this, hold the ball in your right hand and squeeze your fingers together until it flies out and over to your left hand. Repeat on the other side, and continue until your fingers become tired.
In order to be a great basketball shooter you need to be confident. One of the reasons why professionals get very far is because they are confident in their abilities. You won’t hit every shot or defend every play, but if you let it affect you then there is no way you will play good basketball. Be a better player by being confident!
You need to focus on the person you are defending and the ball both at the same time. If you focus on just one or the other, you are going to end up either guarding a player who is out of the play or not guarding your player because you are focused on the ball.
If your opposition is headed to grab a rebound, get in front of them. Place your forearm on their chest and bump them out of the way with your hips. Be careful not to hurt them, but gently push them away from the ball so that you can grab it instead.
Think hard about when it is appropriate to dive off the court trying to heroically save the ball from going out of bounds. If you are absolutely sure a teammate is there to catch it and control it, your coach will probably love the hustle. If, however, you are doing this on the opponent’s end of the court and leaving them with numbers while you get back to your feet, you should just let it go out of bounds.
Always try and out-run your opponent. Do this every chance you get. Do it on offense, do it on defense, and even do it when just exiting or entering the court. You will mentally wear them down over the game and they will stop putting in so much effort to keep up with you. This can give you opportunities on offense late in the game.
When you are defending, it is important that you stand correctly. If you are able to move in any direction at any time, your opposition won’t be able to predict what you will do. Bend your knees slightly, keep your legs apart and have one foot ahead of the other a bit.
Organize some fun informal basketball games with your teammates. It’s not always about the full court and the teamwork. Sometimes it’s about building camaraderie, and silly basketball games like HORSE and Around The Horn can bring a team closer together. Plus, they help you improve your basketball skills while you’re at it!
Nothing is impossible with the game of basketball, now that you have these tips. Build towards your goals with practice. Use the tips here when you are creating your strategy and you will see big improvements in your game.