The sport of basketball is so much more than a casual game here and there. It can be played anywhere there is open space. If you love the game of basketball, you should keep reading to learn all that you can about this exciting game!
Make your passes quick and precise. This takes practice, but you can improve your passing skills over time. Find someone else who wants to improve their passing and run drills with them. Running up and down the court passing and dribbling will eventually become second nature and help you with your game.
If you are in a good position to receive a pass, put your hand up in the air so the current dribbler can see you. The basketball court is surprisingly small when you’re actually on it. And when you’re playing in a game filled with ten people, there’s a lot of chaos going on in that small space. Sometimes that hand is necessary so that the dribbler sees the option.
To become a good rebounder, learn how to box out your opponent properly. The idea is that when a shot is taken, you turn towards the basket and block your opponent from getting a good position to rebound. The best rebounders have mastered this skill and own the space right near the basket.
One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. Watch as many games on TV as you can. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.
When prepping for the basketball season, walk around with the basketball as often as you can. Take the time to throw the ball from one hand to the other, and even flip it around your back. Your goal is to improve your hand/ball coordination so that the ball feels as if it’s part of you.
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.
One of the best tips for improving your shot is to practice. As simple as it may seem, this really is effective. Once you get a feel of where to stand and how to stand, it will be easier for you to make shots. Have a friend defend you to get better practice.
If you want to improve your jump shot, try shooting free throws blindfolded or with your eyes closed. Your free throw percentage ought to be pretty good before you try this. However, once it is, you can use this technique to really get down a fluid and instinctive shooting motion with your arms and body. Just make sure to do this alone in a gym, as to not errantly hurt anyone or break a window.
When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. Your body will be able to move quicker and be more balanced when you have srong core muscles. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.
Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better. Look at how you did and judge yourself. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.
To stay hydrated while playing basketball outside on a hot day, make sure you drink plenty of water or sports drink before you head outside, and take a bottle with you. When you sweat, you not only lose water, but you lose electrolytes and sodium. Sports drinks like Powerade help you replace those and keep your edge on the basketball court.
No matter whether you want to play some casual basketball or play in a more organized way, you’ll benefit by improving your skills. After reading this article, it is time to put that knowledge to work. The more you know, the better player you’ll be.