Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, enjoyed by millions in many different countries. No matter how much experience you have with the game, there is always something else you can learn. If you want to improve your skills on the court, keep reading for some great advice.
Free throw practice is vitally important. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult. When practicing your free throw, concentrate on where you want the ball to go when it leaves your hands. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.
Always protect the ball when you are in possession of it. Keep your dribble off to the side of your body to make it more difficult for another player to steal the ball. While you generally want to avoid dribbling in front of you, you can do so if there are no other players in your immediate vicinity.
When you think you have a good shot, take it. This can be difficult to learn. There is a balance between not shooting enough and shooting too often. You never want to miss out on taking a great shot because you are looking to pass, but you do not want to miss on a couple of points because you do not make the pass.
Practice your bounce pass. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist. If it helps to measure it out, consider aiming for a mark on the floor about three-fourths of the way between you and your teammate. Many other factors will affect it, too.
It is important to stay focused during the game. If you miss a shot, brush it off and continue with the game. Although you may feel bad about missing a shot, it is important to regain your focus quickly and continue on. Remember that even the professionals miss shots.
If you play serious team basketball, jump rope for thirty minutes before practice sessions. You'll get used to playing basketball already winded and tired. Doing this can make you very prepared to make shots in late game situations, as your conditioning is already a notch above anyone else just showing up to practice.
Learn how to use your hips, eyes, shoulders and entire body while dribbling. This can easily shake a defender off of you while dribbling if you look one way and move another. They are watching your body for clues to where you are going next. Use this to your advantage and throw them incorrect clues to get around them.
Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. This way, you have the opportunity to go through your play at a later time and see your mistakes. Evaluate what you see honestly, but don't be too hard on yourself. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.
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 it comes to basketball, most players want to spend as much time on the court as possible. One thing that will increase your playing time is to ask your coach what you can do to help your team succeed. This shows the coach that you value the team's success over your own personal success. When the season comes to an end, be sure to ask your coach which skills you should work on in the off-season to be a greater asset to the team.
To make your weaker hand stronger, play non-competitive basketball games with only your weak hand. The more you practice with it, especially in a real game, the better your skills will become. This is a great way to become more ambidextrous than you are without risking a loss in a competitive game.
Use the NBA three point line when practicing your shots. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that. If you can score from NBA range, you'll enjoy open looks at deeper range than your opposition.
Continuously dribble the ball until you have an opening to pass it to one of your teammates, or you are prepared to shoot. You have few options remaining to you after you stop dribbling. If you don't shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. This situation leaves you vulnerable to a double team by the defense, and you risk losing the ball.
Don't read what anyone in the press says about your team. This applies to every level from high school newspapers to the professional leagues. The only opinion about how your team is playing that matters is the one in the locker room. Don't let anyone contaminate your team's chemistry and confidence with the doubts of some critic.
Learning to lose gracefully is part of the game. Nobody enjoys being with a player who responds in an ugly manner to not winning. That means no tantrums or outburst or blaming others for mistakes they made. Know that everyone tried their best and that each game you lose still teaches you something valuable.
Never take your eyes off the net when you are performing a layup. Jump off the opposite foot of the hand you plan to use for your layup. That gets you well up into the air and keeps you protected from the opposition as you head for the net.
Now that you have read this article, you have learned some great techniques for becoming a better basketball player. Maybe you just play for fun, or maybe you play more seriously. Maybe you are even a professional! No matter who you are, you can profit from the tips you have just read.
Orignal From: Get In The Game: A Guide To Playing Basketball
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