If you’ve been wanting to get into basketball, then this is the place to start. Continue on for the tips you need to get started. When you’re dribbling the ball, you should avoid looking down at the ball. You should be able to dribble without staring at the ball. If you can dribble without seeing the ball, you’ll be able to keep your eyes on the rest of the game. This will help you to know who is open for a pass or if you have a chance to take a shot.
Tips to Consider:
- When shooting the basketball, it is important to maintain good balance. Jumping and leaning to the right or the left can result in a missed goal. Learn to jump straight up while maintaining your balance for best results. You can practice this by running and shooting the ball during your practice time.
- When dribbling, make sure to keep your head straight up. If you find that you keep looking down at the ball, you haven’t practiced dribbling enough. You need to gain the advantage of being able to see the court while dribbling. Then you can surprise your opponent with smart passes and quick drives to areas where they are not.
- Practice as many different shots as you can. You never know when you will need one during a game. If you only practice bank shots, then you will feel less comfortable making a 3-point shot or a lay-up. Practice them all and you will see improvements in all of your 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.
- Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try a back pass. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Next, pull the ball behind your back. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to land. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.
- Keep your footwork in mind while playing defense. Taking short steps will give you a better foothold on your opponent. Remember to push off your front foot. When you take long steps, it is more difficult to defend against a driving opponent. Check your distance from your opposing player by extending one arm.
- Learn how to turn on your pivot foot when stopped with the ball. Being able to pivot is an important skill to learn. If you’ve pulled up your dribble, you can no longer take any steps forward. That means your back foot can’t move. But you can pivot on it to face different directions and fake out an opponent. It can help you out of a jam.
- Understand your opponent. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts. Find out who are the right-handed or left-handed players. If you know their game, you can defend against it. Smart defenders are good defenders.
- If you are going to get rebounds in basketball, it is important to get between the person you are guarding and the basket. Then back up against that person and start moving him away from the basket. This way, if he tries to go through you or over you to get the rebound, he has to foul you.
Final Words:
Always be aware of your feet. An errant toe to the baseline while holding the ball will result in an “out of bounds” call. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players. Now you can see why in the beginning of the article it talked about how anyone can play basketball if they know what goes into it. You now are able to get yourself out there to give it a try. Keep these things in mind and get yourself a basketball and you’re set!