For a long time, people of all ages have enjoyed basketball. But, not everyone has a thorough understanding of what it takes to truly play the sport well. The following article will help anyone understand basketball better and become an improved player.
Figure out how to perfect your free throw. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do. Use this technique to better your game. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. When you shoot, keep the visualized trajectory in mind.
Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. You should expect layups to represent about 80% of all the shots you take in a game. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.
Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. But, a series of other considerations can require you to make adjustments.
In order to help you improve your basketball acumen you should watch how the pros play. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos. You’ll be able to learn from the moves they make.
Frequently train yourself on your pass catching moves. When practicing make sure you drill yourself to catch errant throws as well as picture perfect passes. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. You and your team mates will be happier if you (and they) are more versatile.
You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Don’t get too frustrated if you’re having a hard time when you start because after a while passes are going to be more accurate.
Don’t pump a lot of iron if you wish to become a jump shooter. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.
Bad passes can be avoided with the right hand signals. One of the most challenging aspects is trying to send the ball to your teammate as they are going for the basket. This can be prevented through the use of hand signals. Without a signal, you should not attempt to pass the ball to a player.
Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times. Pay attention to open areas for passes, too.
When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.
If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. This can be practiced by dribbling the ball as hard as you can between the legs while you step in either direction. This move can give you an advantage when playing a tough defense.
Basketball appeals to all types of different people. The secret to both enjoying a good game and playing a good game is personal knowledge. Remember what you’ve learned here, and you will be pleasantly rewarded.