When you first played the game of basketball, it was a whole new world. There were so many different things to learn about the game. Today, you may feel like you know it all and are a master of the game. The information below will teach you to be a better ball player.
If you feel you’ve been spending too much time on the the bench, ask your basketball coach what you can do to help the team the next time you are in practice. Hang on every word he or she says. This will demonstrate your intense interest in helping the team win by improving your own play and should get you more game time!
It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well. When the game is going on, every pass isn’t going to make it to its target. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.
Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Study video tape on your opponent and read over any scouting reports. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.
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.
When shooting free throws in basketball, make sure you properly line up with the basket. Your lead foot needs to be lined up with the rim’s center. If you’re right-handed, your lead foot will be the right foot. If your court has a hardwood floor, check it for a dot. If it has one, put your toe on it for a straighter shot.
Learn something about basketball every day. Even if it’s the off-season and there’s nowhere to play, you can still improve your game. Read up on tips via books and websites or watch archived games to see what your favorite pro players can teach you. You may be surprised how much rubs off the next time you’re on the court.
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.
With all of the fabulous advice you’ve received, only you stand in your way. Keep in mind that it takes work and a lot of practice to be a great basketball player. A little effort and some new strategies can bring your game to a whole new level.
