Basketball Playing Tips
By InsideHoops.com
This is a quick tips section for all aspects of playing
basketball. We'll eventually have basketball tip sections that get far more specific.
This is just quick stuff to remember.
SHOOTING
Practice shots that you'd take in a game. Stand still,
catch and shoot. Stand still, catch, dribble and shoot. Catch while on the move
and shoot. Catch while on the move and fake or just go right into the dribble
and then shoot. And, creating off of fakes (while a pivot foot is planted). Make
sure you square up to the basket when shooting. Both feet should be pointing at
the basket, and your body should square up to it. Make sure your power is coming
from your legs, not your arms. Remember to follow-through on your shot. Practice
like crazy. And be intense. Don't be lazy, work hard. If you half-heartedly practice
getting shots off, they won't be very effective when a tough defender is near
you in a real game.
PASSING
Be alert. Fire quick passes that peole can handle. If
someone cuts, and you fire a pass at them, make sure you're leading them to where
they're running with the pass, so they don't have to slow down to catch it. After
you pass, keep moving, so you're of some use in the play. If it makes sense, cut
hard to the basket after you pass, in the hope that your teammate can fire a quick
return pass that results in a layup because your defender relaxed for a second
after you got rid of the ball. And when your teammates have the ball, create passing
lanes, so they can hit you with a pass. Use your hands to create targets. If you
cut, have a hand up so the passer can hit it.
DRIBBLING
Dribble with your head up. If you have to look down while
dribbling, it means you haven't practiced enough. Dribble all over town until
you get used to it. Watch good point guards - they're looking forward and around
while dribbling, not down. Get down low if you have to. but make sure you're seeing
the floor while dribbling, or else unless you create something for yourself and
score, you probably aren't helping the team. Learn to dribble with both hands.
Obviously one hand will be stronger than the other, but make sure you can at least
pull off basic moves with your weak hand (like driving and finishing a layup or
passing with it). Watch good players and what they're actually doing with the
ball and their bodies while they're dribbling the basketball.
REBOUNDING
You need to box out. Most players don't know how, or just
don't do it. If the shot goes up and you don't box out, the other team has just
a good a chance of grabbing the board as you do. Boxing out is absolutely essential
when you're on defense, or else you're going to give up lots of offensive boards.
Great rebounders always box out. You should know where your opponents are while
playing defense, and when a shot goes up you should instinctively face the basket
while boxing the closest opponent out. Boxing out also makes it easier for your
teammates to grab the rebound in case you can't. It always helps.
More coming.
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