The Ins And Outs Of Getting Into Basketball

If you arrived here looking for great tips on how to play better basketball, then you're in the right place. It doesn't matter whether you're new to the game or experienced, anyone can benefit with knowing some simple tips. Read on and learn, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing. Bring your ball along when you go out. Keep dribbling the ball even while you're doing your errands. If you look at the ball, you're unable to see what's going on down the court before you.

When shooting a basketball, it is important to follow through. This means that you extend your arms out completely and flick your wrists as you release the ball. This give the ball extra force and speed. This force and speed allows you to make long distance shots that you normally wouldn't be able to make.

If you want to improve your game, play up your strengths. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. Ask others to help you identify your strengths and practice until you fully master these skills.

Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.

It is not always necessary to dribble the ball. In fact, you should only dribble it when it is part of your play. For instance, you will want to dribble the ball when you are trying to get the ball up the court, to get in a position for passing, or to get the defense off you.

Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you're standing in one spot and not dribbling. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

When you play basketball, be sure that you remain properly hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after playing. Becoming dehydrated can negatively affect your game and your health. It is possible to lose up to 2% of your body weight through dehydration. That can also cause between a 10% and 20% decrease in your athletic performance.

Keeping calm and reacting maturely to getting beat is as important to your game as anything else. If your opponent has played harder and has out-hustled you, don't get upset or stressed out, as your game will only suffer. Instead, think about how to match the intensity of your opponent. Beat them at their own game.

Always keep your head up while dribbling. You will not be able to see an open teammate if you are looking at the ball. You also will not be able to see what kinds of defenses the opposing team is playing if you are looking at the ball while dribbling.

If you want to become a better dribbler, do it blindfolded. If you aren't using your eyes to watch where the ball is, you can instead use them to see where other players are or where the net is. You shouldn't have to stare at the ball as you dribble.

Don't think that a shot has to be perfect to be taken. A lot of good shooters constantly remind themselves that the standard goal is large enough to take in two balls at once. There's also a backboard that sometimes gives a lucky bounce. That leaves a good margin for error where you can make a less than perfect shot and still get points.

You can improve a weak hand by using it in daily life. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.

To play man-to-man defense, it is important to know where your man, the ball, and the basket all are. This keeps your man from sneaking behind you for a back-door pass, and it also allows you to steal over and help when the ball is across the court from your man.

Try not to pass the ball further than about 18 feet. If you go longer, you will find that it is easier for the ball to be intercepted by the other team. Shorter passes will always be more successful, so try to stand close to whomever you are passing to.

Practice all types of shots while in different distances and angles. You should first practice on balancing and your grip. Off-balance shooting can happen, but it's not as accurate. Use your basketball's valve for perfecting your grip. Spread your dominant hand over the ball, positioning the valve in the middle of your hand; this is the center of the ball.

Don't try to block a shot unless you are absolutely sure. A poorly timed block attempt can result in a goaltend or even a foul. A lot of coaches will even tell you that it's better to just block out and try for the defensive rebound after a missed shot.

If someone is taking a shot from the center of the court, it is likely that the ball will bounce off the net or backboard straight back at them. Keep this in mind if you want to catch the rebound and score some points after they miss the shot.

Now that you read the above article, nothing should hold you back from becoming a better basketball player. All it takes is knowledge and practice your skills. If you practice what you just learned today, there is no reason why you cannot better your skills to help you succeed at basketball.

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