It is impossible to deny the immense appeal basketball has had for countless individuals the world over. Unfortunately, there are still many people who do not understand basketball well enough to be either a skilled player or an informed spectator. Keep reading for some terrific information that can solve both of those problems.
Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t. Practice a lot with the following method. Start by holding your ball before your face. There may be a number of distractions so you need to focus on your goal. You should then shoot and try following the trajectory you visualized.
One of the most important things to understand is when to make the shot. Taking a dangerous shot can result in the ball being overturned. If you do not feel comfortable making the shot, pass it to a teammate and either let them make the shot or get into a better position to make the shot.
Practice catching the basketball while you are moving and stopping cold for a shot. Basketball is a fast paced game, and the constant movement can throw your shot off during game time. This is especially true if you’ve practiced your shooting standing still. That is not as common in a game experience. Get the feel for moving, stopping, and shooting.
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.
Understand your opponent. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. Learn who the left handed players are and who the right handed ones are. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. The strongest defenders are those who have information.
To become a better dribbler, work on becoming more flexible. The looser and more flexible you are, the better you will be able to elude defenders. Stiffer players are easier to defend. The more flexible you are, the harder it is to defend you. So to improve your dribbling, you need to improve your flexibility.
Always know where the other players are, both on your team and the opposition. You need to know who is close enough to steal the ball from you, who you can pass to and who might be able to rebound if you miss. Staying on top of the game means knowing the lay of the land.
Basketball is a sport that is loved by folks far and wide, due in large part to its fast pace and thrilling action. The best way to really appreciate basketball, however, is to familiarize yourself completely with its nuances. The article above should serve as a useful resource for just about anyone.