The Ins And Outs Of The Game Of Basketball

Basketball has really exploded in popularity and is now adored by millions all over the world. To love the game even more and maximize your enjoyment whether playing or watching is to understand everything there is to know about it. Continue on and get educated on basketball.

Perfect your free throw. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. The following technique should be practiced often. Hold the ball level with your head. Focus on the ball and visualize it going toward the goal. Next, shoot with just the trajectory you saw.

Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player. The action must be very swift if it is to be successful. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.

Practice layups often. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

Practice your bounce pass. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. Bounce it 3/4 of the distance to the receiver. There are other variables to consider though.

If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.

One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor. Also, watch for areas to open up so you can make an easy basket.

In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. Remember which player shoots left and which shoots right. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. A smart defender is someone who is good at his position.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in. Your shoulders should always be squared towards the hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.

Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. In addition, moving one foot while working on setting a screen or pick will produce a foul.

Basketball is enjoyed by people all over the world. People new to the sport, may be confused if they don’t understand all the rules and subtleties. We hope that this article has given you the things you need to know if you’re trying to understand the game of basketball.