Basketball is a wildly popular sport. No matter if you watch championships, play on your own team, or just play in your yard, it’s a sport that’s here to stay. Most players are in it to win it. The following tips will help you improve your skills so you can win.
Practice your defense more than your offense. Basketball games are won more often by defense than offense. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.
Dribble properly. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm. This way you’ll have a lot more control over the ball. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.
Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.
Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. It is possible to practice the physical movements needed to make such a shot, but when your mental focus is lacking, you are likely to miss. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.
Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. How about the behind the back pass? To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.
Play by yourself to practice. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. There is nothing wrong with that. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. You can always find things to practice.
Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts. Also know which is their dominant and weak hands. Defense is more effective when you know what your opponent is likely to do. The more knowledgeable a defender is, the stronger he is.
Practice looking in the opposite direction when you make a pass. Your opponents can really get confused by this, as well. If you can pull it off, it’s effective to draw your opponents away from the shooter. That way the shooter gets a great look before shooting. When completed correctly, it creates an awesome play.
You must disrupt and upset the play of your opponent if you want to be successful as a defensive player. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position. Use aggression with your moves. Do not allow them to pick and choose their plays. If you let them, they’ll totally take the control from you. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to improve your skills. Many of them are as simple as learning a technique and then practicing repeatedly. Practice is essential when it comes to just about anything, so you must be sure to have constant access to a hoop. Take what you have learned here to make the most out of your next basketball game.
