Playing basketball just come easy to some people. People who are naturally tall have the biggest advantage but a majority of us just aren't bless with that superior height advantage. So what is a player to do? The key is to find your own natural advantage and make the most of that. Work on your speed and reflexes. Know that your smaller size may cause taller players to underestimate you which you can use to your advantage. Use the following tips to help you make the most of your skills and enthusiasm.
When shooting a basketball, it is important to stay relaxed and stay focused. Tensing your forearms can result in a missed shot. Additionally, losing focus can cause you to miss a shot that you would normally make. To help keep you relaxed and focused, take a deep breath before shooting.
Practice your free throws as often as you can. Free throws in basketball can turn the tide of a game. They are your opportunity to score points with clear views of the basket. You should aim to land at least 80% of the free throws you take. Great free throw shooters can top 90%.
Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.
Never leave the practice court without taking some practice shots. Do some free throws, lay-ups and 3-point throws every practice before you leave. Of course you are doing some shooting during practice, but this additional practice will help you in the long run. Keep practicing your shooting on a daily basis.
Knowing your opponent is the best way to play a tough defensive game. Watch taped games, and keep current with scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. 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 smart defender is someone who is good at his position.
Knowing how to handle the basketball is an important step in becoming a good player. Work hard to perfect your dribble with your weaker hand. The ability to dribble the ball well with both hands will keep opponents guessing. When you are able to take off dribbling to the right or the left, opponents will have a hard time predicting where you will go.
When you have to shoot free throws in a basketball game, make sure that you clear your head before you shoot. Depending on your state of mind, free throw shots can either be your hardest or easiest shots. Try clearing your mind and concentrating on the shot. Many players find it useful to imagine the ball going into the hoop. These shots take skill and finesse so emotions like anger can negatively affect your focus and alertness.
In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Force them away from their comfort zone. Your defensive moves must be aggressive and executed properly. Do not allow them to pick and choose their plays. The more aggressively smart team is usually the one who wins. Rather, move first; attack their rhythm.
Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you're able to dribble in any situation. Don't stay stopped; always move around the court. It is essential to move the ball around in order to succeed.
Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.
To inbound a basketball, you need to be able to learn to fake defenders out. You can use the ball to fake in one direction and then pass in another. Defenders often will jump at your first fake, giving your teammate the chance to get wide open. Use this to beat those opponents who try to cheat the pass.
The only thing you should ever pay attention to outside of the rectangle of the court is your coach yelling. Don't mind what the fans are cheering or booing, or even how many people are in attendance. Certainly never listen to your parents. Your coach let you on the team and decides your playing time, not mom and dad.
Incorporate lots of squats into your basketball training. Squats help to increase the natural elasticity of the legs and buttocks. When you need to propel yourself down the court, speed is imperative and demands strong legs. Squats will also do wonders for your jump shot and dunks. Bring weights into your squats and you will create a winning combination.
If a defender is hot on your heels, a one handed pass is a must. If their hands are up high, fake a high throw and then bounce it under their arm. If their hands are instead low, fake a bounce pass and toss it over their arm to the recipient instead.
Rebounding is one of the major keys to winning a game as any coach will tell you. Therefore, it's important to practice getting rebounds, and part of this practice should be spent blocking people out. As well, when you're by yourself, hop to it with that energy, and go get that rebound!
As you can see, you don't have to be seven feet tall to excel in basketball and enjoy it and help your team win. There are many popular players who aren't giants, just as there are many tall people who don't play basketball. The heart of the game is in the play, not in the height. So take these tips and apply them to your game and you may find that you have many natural advantages of your own to bring to the court.
Orignal From: The Best Basketball Advice You Will Read
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