Few sports are as fast paced as basketball. You need energy, determination and motivation to really succeed from game to game. The other important thing you need is good information that will help you improve your skills. Take a look at this article and let these suggestions guide you to a better game.
Improving your flexibility will greatly help you during a game. If you’re flexible, you’ll be able to move around defenders better. Flexibility will help you to move better when you’re being blocked. You’ll be able to do more moves than others which will result in you getting the change to score or pass freely without being blocked.
When shooting, always arc the shot, never throw straight. You have a much better chance of making your baskets when there is an arc on your shots. If you do not know how much arc to put into your shooting, find one that works best for you during practice and try to consistently produce the same arc during games.
Learn the positions on a basketball court. Each position has different roles to fill on both offense and defense. There are guards, point guards, forwards, power forwards, and centers. If you want to really enjoy basketball, learn the needs of all of the positions, not just the one you are most interested in.
Take your ball with you wherever you go and dribble as often as possible. This allows you to practice handling the ball on all sorts of surfaces. For example, it will react differently on grass than it will on a wooden court. If you can master moving the ball on any surface, you will become a better ball handler.
A player’s free-throw percentage is generally much higher than their field goal percentage. While part of this has to do with being in action with defenders right on you when shooting field goals, the other part is the dedicated form and practice put into this “free” shot. Be sure you spend some time practicing your free throws during each practice.
If you want to become a better basketball player, exercise your forearms and your wrists whenever you possibly can. This will significantly help you with your ball handing and control. A strong dribbler always has strong forearms. Practice wrist curls in your exercise routine to improve forearm and wrist strength.
To get a good workout at practice, dribble back and forth on the court. Start by running to the free throw line, then go back to the end of the court. Then dribble to the middle and then go back, then to the far free throw line and then go back again, and then the entire length of the court.
Vision is one of the most important aspects of basketball. Specifically your peripheral vision is an area that you need to work on improving. You will be able to read the defense, see open teammates and locate scoring opportunities if you can learn to use your peripheral vision during the game.
Become a great athlete. There are few great basketball players out there who aren’t also superb athletes in general. This is a very athletic sport, so prepare for it by playing all sorts of athletic games. This can be running, swimming, cycling, you name it. All of these sports will add to your abilities on the court.
Listen to your coach. Even if you don’t agree with him or her, your coach is the one with the plan. Remember, you’ve got four other people on the court with you, so a team plan of action is vital to your success. If just one person goes a different direction, then you’ll fail.
If you want to be sure that you are dribbling correctly, dribble in some dirt. When you’re done, take a look at your hands. If your fingers are dirty while your palm is nice and clean, then you are holding the ball correctly. A dirty palm means you need to refine your technique.
Always share with your teammates. When someone begins to guard you, start looking for someone to pass to and stop dribbling. If you don’t, your teammates won’t bother trying to find an open spot as they will know that you are a ball hog who doesn’t pass when the time is right.
To play the best defense, you have to beat your man to the place he wants to go and force him to go somewhere else. This means that your feet have to move quickly, so practice shuffling from side to side without crossing your feet. This is the quickest way to move laterally on the floor and will frustrate your man.
If you can dribble with both hands, you will truly be a threat to the opposing team. You can go left or right around a guard without worrying about losing the ball. Practice dribbling with both hands at the same time to build your skill without staring at the ball.
Strength training can improve your game. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. Even younger kids will benefit from strength training. As players mature, weight training can begin. As adults, it will be imperative to maintain a strength training routine.
Basketball really keeps you moving. It is high-energy and demands the best from players. Now that you have been exposed to some great tips and ideas, you can better enjoy the game. You can feel confident that you have some new or improved skills to bring to the court and dominate the competition.