Basketball is a beloved sport worldwide. You can go play it in your driveway if you wish to, or it’s something you can do for a living if you begin early. Learn more about the game of basketball from this article.
It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring. Without good defense, a basketball team will lose the match.
Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. You can count on quite a bit of the game being played in zone; however, you should not be surprised if it becomes one-on-one coverage just for the sake of confusion. If you haven’t practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.
If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop. If you are just stepping into position, you now have to secure the spot. These skills require solid footwork.
Turning away from the ball can be a costly mistake in basketball. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes. Maintain awareness of open areas on the ball court that may allow you to quickly score a basket.
You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. You should be look at scouting reports, practicing techniques and watch tapes. Know the dominant hand of every player. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. When you are prepared, you play better defense.
A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast. Regular drilling will increase your speed. Don’t try playing fast until you can. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.
Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.
When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.
To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball. By doing this, you can increase your chance to get the rebound despite starting in a disadvantageous position.
Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster. That means there is less time for the other side to grab it. If you are being closely guarded, then halt your dribbling and quickly pass the ball to a teammate who is open.
Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This seems an impossible feat when you start. By working on this drill regularly you develop speed and great, lengthy strides. That translates to smooth layups during fast breaks.
Increase your weak hand’s capabilities by using it for everything you normally would not. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. So, drill with the weaker hand and use in it in real life.
To make your three-point shot better, practice it from the minimum NBA approved distance. All other distance lines, high school, college and International, are not as far. You are less likely to be guarded, the farther you are from the basket.
Don’t cease dribbling until you get ready to shoot or pass. After dribbling is stopped, your choices are very limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you are going to be pivoting with your back foot. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.
It ought to now be obvious what to do to become more involved with basketball. All you need is the proper knowledge and some good old-fashioned hard work. After taking the court and actually playing, you will most likely want to get out there on a regular basis. Get out on the court and have fun.