Starting out with basketball can be tricky, and even experienced players can find it difficult to avoid making the same mistakes over and over again. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to play basketball with the best of them, there are some tips and tricks you can follow in order to elevate your game to its full potential. These basketball tips and tricks will help you understand what it means to play like a pro, as well as show you how important it is to practice in order to succeed in the long run.
Introduction
Basketball is one of America’s favorite sports. It combines running, jumping, dribbling, and shooting skills into one game that is exciting to play. Although basketball isn’t considered an easy sport, anyone can learn some basic tips and tricks that will improve their game. Here are some great ways you can become better at playing basketball.
The Fundamentals of Playing Basketball
Learning how to play basketball begins with learning fundamentals. Whether you’re playing on an organized team or just shooting hoops in your backyard, it’s critical that you know how to dribble, pass and shoot—and understand spacing. If you think of a game of basketball as similar to chess, knowing these three basic skills is like knowing how each piece moves across a chessboard. The more comfortable you are with them, the more effective your execution will be later on (e.g., when trying out some new strategies).
Shooting Basics
Every basketball coach will have slightly different shooting recommendations, but here are some basics to get you started. First, forget about taking shots from far away. The closer you are to your target, the more likely it is that your shot will go in. Most professional players tend not to take shots from much further than five feet away because they’re well-practiced at making sure they stay on target when that close. Second, follow through with every shot; if you do nothing else on an active play or during practice, practice following through properly. It’ll seem awkward and unnatural at first but it’s well worth it once you’ve gotten used to it.
Offensive Moves
Passing is one of basketball’s most important skills, and being able to do it well can help you create opportunities for yourself. With that said, not all passes are created equal. If you have no hope of getting past your defender on your own, passing is an excellent way to get them out of position so that you can follow up with a more-direct offensive move. Being strategic with your passes will allow you to put your opponent at a disadvantage. To do so, try passing around defenders instead of trying to go through them.
Shooting Hoops Like a Pro
The key to success in basketball is teamwork, so make sure you’re choosing your posse wisely. You want players with complementary skills who can read each other on both ends of the court—for instance, big guys who are great on defense or guards that can knock down three-pointers. Always shoot for win-wins (just remember not everyone has your back), but don’t be afraid to compromise if it means adding another player with talent. Assemble a team of stars, not sidekicks. There will be no MVP without co-MVPs.
Defensive Moves
Learning how to play basketball is all about mastering defensive moves. It’s going to take some practice before you get comfortable, but don’t worry—it won’t be long before you’re able to move quickly around your opponent. When trying these out, remember that it’s always better to move than your body parts; even better, it helps if you can do both at once. The two basic defensive moves are backpedaling and stepping laterally (also known as sidestepping). These should come in handy when you need a quick escape or are looking for an advantage over your opponent. Most beginners learn them by practicing against another person, which lets them experience how they work on both offense and defense while reinforcing each other’s understanding.
