Friday, 15 July 2011

Basketball Techniques - Dribbling Tips For Beginners And Advanced Players

The basketball game is pursued by adults and children for fun and professional reasons. While it is a very exciting and enjoyable game, one cannot amount to anything without doing proper basket ball workouts. Every player has to learn new exercises frequently to achieve maximum results. He or she must be dedicated to achieve the best out of the training sessions. Even though there are many types of workouts that you need to learn, in this article we will discuss dribbling.

Ball dribbling tactics exist for both beginners and advanced players. If you are a child who is just starting the training, you might consider the following ball dribbling tips for starters.

a) A player must learn how to strike the ball with his or her finger tips. The palm is never encouraged in basketball.

b) Another useful tip is that the novice players are supposed to bounce the ball on the side of their body not in front of it.

c) When tapping the balls with the fingertips, performers must try to bend their bodies slightly. Dribbled in this manner, the balls can bounce off the floor to the waistline of the performers.

d) Your kid has to learn how to walk while bouncing and gradually learn how to run while dribbling.

e) At first, the starter maybe tempted to observe the orb. Later on, however, one is required to tap it while observing his or her opponents and team members.

f) This important basketball workout is done with one hand at a time. Therefore, you should learn how to switch hands quickly and vigorously.

g) Sometimes you are forced to change directions to avoid being trapped by your opponents. You have to twist your body quickly without losing the orb.

Practice makes perfect and this statement applies even to you who is trying to play basket ball for the first time. You have to practice hard and regularly until you learn ball dribbling as explained above. As soon as you learn the basics, you can start the advanced approaches. They will eventually make you an excellent basketball player. Read the following tips.

a) Try to create a rhythmic dribble - This skill will help you a lot when time to pass your opponents comes. If you try to change the pace of the bounce, your opponents might have an easy chance to snatch the orb.

b) Learn how to step forward while making dribbles backwards. This technique is regularly called the pull back move. There are many other moves that could make you a champion in this game. One move is called cross over needed when you want to move in different directions by bouncing low and fast in front of you. Fake spin creates an illusion of a spin which is not real while a spin move occurs when you rotate your body about the opponent while exerting slight pressure on him or her. Other examples include behind the back, stop-n-go, and double crossover.

c) Dribble while using your vision to spot both open team members and the rivals. Learn what eye fake and other terms are all about from your trainer.

Proper Basketball Shooting Technique

The aim of basketball is to score more points than the other team. To be able to score more points, one of the skills you'll need to know is how to shoot the ball into the ring. Much like any other sports, shooting a basketball successfully requires a good technique and practice. In part one of this two part article, I will describe how to set yourself up for taking a shot with several key points.

Receiving The Ball

Before you can take a shot, you need to have the ball. If you don't have the ball in your possession already, you need to get it from your teammate who has the ball. A future article will go into more detail on this topic, but the idea is to get into a position where you can receive a good pass from your teammate, and within your shooting range.

Look At The Target

Once you have the ball, not only do you need to know where the basketball ring is - you also need to look at it. Don't look at the ball, or at your opponent - look at the ring. It will increase your focus and therefore increase the accuracy of the shot. As you make the shot, keep your eyes on the ring and not on the basketball.

Shooting Stance

One of the main things that helps the accuracy of your shot is your shooting stance, or how you place your feet before taking the shot. There isn't really a definite or correct way of feet placement or style - what's more important is that it is comfortable for you. Once you find a stance that is comfortable, be consistent with it.

The recommended stance involves your feet being about shoulder width apart. They should be facing the general direction of the ring - possibly directly at it, or to one side. If you're a right handed shooter, it could be to the left, and if you're a left handed shooter, it would be on the right side.

Grip The Ball

The way you grip the ball is important as it dictates how you start your shot. The ball should be held just above your waist. At your chest or near your head is probably too high for an effective shot.

Your preferred hand (either right or left) is used to push the ball towards the ring, and your other hand is used for balance and guiding the ball in the right direction. Place your preferred hand on the ball, with your fingertips spread out comfortably. Your fingertips, and not your palm, should be the area that makes contact with the ball.

Your opposite hand should be placed to the side of the ball. For right hand shooters, the left hand is the hand that goes to the side of the ball. As mentioned above, it's used for balancing the ball on your other hand, and for making sure the ball leaves the hand in a straight line.

Stay tuned for the second part of this article coming soon! Feel free to leave a comment if this has helped you, or if you have any other tips on what helps you shoot the basketball.

How To Do Basketball Crossover Moves

Basketball is, perhaps, the most famous sports all over the world. And with its popularity, many young men and women are into this sport. Many people are also watching this game; be it a game on television or a live court action. There have been several basketball associations in the United States alone.

But the most popular is the National Basketball Association, most popularly known as simply the NBA.  Why? This is because it showcased the finest players as well as best basketball crossover moves that the whole world have ever seen.

The Crossover Dribble

This is the most notable crossover move. Also known as the ankle breaker, too many ankles have been broken using this move. This is a low and quick bounce dribbling in front and allows the player to switch momentum as quick as possible. This is being used to outmaneuver the opponent and have the chance to drive to the hoops. The action that you will see in a crossover dribble is so fantastic that many spectators consider it as a very exciting spice on a game.

Mostly, the crossover dribble is an important move that the players holding the guard positions should know. But, it is also a great move that every player should learn because it will be an advantageous offensive move.

Steps in Making a Crossover Dribble

If you want to learn crossover dribble, there are several steps on how you can do it;

• The first step that you have to learn is how to dribble using your strongest hand. You have to learn how to do this as you approach the defending opponent.

• Pause and focus on your dribbling keeping your opponent at bay.

• Next, you have to push the ball to the side where you"re dribbling. With that, your opponent may move with you. When he did that, you have to bounce the ball in other direction and move to the net before he catches up. There is also a technique in this move if you want a three-point play. You have to run in front of the defender; when he chases you and goes for the ball, a foul will be called.

• You should also learn to watch the moves of your defender while being careful with your moves. If the weight of your opponent shifted, you will know that he bites out at your crossover move.

• You have to keep in mind that speed and control of the ball is essential for this move.

• Also, you have to concentrate on the defender's mid section while concentrating on your own moves.   Most Notable NBA Player Doing the Crossover Dribble:

• Allen Iverson – his variation; he doesn't go straight to the hoop. Instead, he crosses over again and drives using his left hand.

• Jason Williams • Tim Hardaway • Dwayne Wade • Kobe Bryant • Deron Williams • Baron Davis  • Steve Francis

Even if you think that a crossover dribble is such an easy technique to execute, you will be surprise at just how hard it is in actual practice. And you will need several things in order to be successful in this move. First, you have to have strong and agile hands. Next, your legs should learn how to be responsive.

Excellent control of the ball combined with speedy foot works are the main key to crossover dribbling. Your upper body should also be sturdy and tough; you have to learn how to coordinate your body movements with the rhythms of your foot works and ball handling. Lastly, and probably the most important spice is a deceptive mind.

Yes, this is what you need because you are not only convincing your defender but yourself as well that what you are doing is real, until the very last moment.

Shooting a Basketball Better - 3 Tricks To Score Better

Basketball is a ball game between two teams of five players, played on both indoor and outdoor courts. Players move the ball by passing it or by dribbling it (bouncing it on the floor) while running.

Basketball is a very popular sport all around the world, particularly in the United States. There are ten to twelve players on each basketball team and maximum five of the players are on the court at the same time.

Shooting a basketball better should be high on your list of priorities when it comes to improving your game. All the stars of the NBA are the ones who can pull off ridiculous shots or hit all the clutch ones with the game on the line. Sure, these guys practice day-in and day-out, but there are some secrets that they've been holding back from you.

Immediately sharing these secrets with you wouldn't exactly make me a better player, since it only makes my competition better, but here are a few tips in the mean time:

Learn to sell the fake. One of your best tools in getting off a shot on a contender is selling a fake. Whether it's to blow past them to the rim, get them in the air to draw the foul, or step away to create some space, selling a fake will get you scoring a higher percentage.

Form a proper shot. Keep your knees bent, elevate, shoot 45 degrees with a little backspin, follow through, hold your form, and finish with a loose wrist. While there are many other points to follow with fixing your shot, keep those basics in mind, and practice them until they're second nature.

Develop a routine and stick to it. A routine will help your mind and body connect to sink the basket at a very high percentage. The more you repeat the same process over and over, the more your brain will begin to start etching out muscle memory for it to follow each time you shoot.

So, if you're serious your game and want to unveil the secrets to scoring, click here to get set up.

Playing Basketball- A Game Of Defense

Defense in the arena is one of the most vital responsibilities of every teammate in the field of basketball. It is as important as an offensive move. On the contrary, defense can make a team win a specific game even if the winning score is 1-0. It proves that with proper defensive work, a team could pick it off till the championships. Playing basketball is not just a game of shooting some hoops but also of guarding the ring.

Sure they teach offensive techniques that require rigorous training and resistance. But that's just the beginning. The real technique in winning a game is how to prevent an opponent from making that shot.

This is one area that some of the coaches and players poorly rely on. They just don't seem to realize how important defense is to their strategies. This should be their top priority. Even though defense in the court was proven many times, still, majority of the playing teams doesn't seem to recognize this and fail to put extra effort to train on this one.

Playing defense is as important as playing offense. That is the second time it was reiterated in this article. Because it is true. No matter how hard you try to get through, you still can't make the perfect shot because of the extreme defense your opponent is showing. If teams would realize that pursuing for the ball is just a part of the whole game, probably they"ll include defense practice more often than offense. And dedicate their time in it.

A team and its coach must have to attend to all aspects in ball playing. In other words, they have to be well-rounded. Players who think so much of their career doesn't want to play as blockers. Why? How could you end up as MVP if all you do is block and prevent shots without giving yourself the opportunity to shoot? Think about that.

No offense but, if this one popular player who calls the shots never had good teammates who defended every opponent from nagging him, how in the world can he prove himself to make that ball go inside the basket?

Coaches who tend to recognize this would assign respective players to play defense. But that would only prove a 50-50 chance of winning the game. Coaches must train in their players the ability to defend every angle of the court...all of them.

Then again, not all players can play defense. Only some are proven worthy. But still, it is good to be prepared than be caught off guard.

Either way, teams must have the spirit in them to guard their base. And in order to do this, each player must have in them these certain qualities:

1. Instincts. A player must know how to react with every situation that may occur inside the court, and fast!

2. Has the knowledge to play numerous kinds of defenses like half-court traps, man-to-man, etc.

3. Infinite stamina to follow his guarded opponent wherever he goes.

4. Supporting number 3, he should also have quick feet and hands to be able to run and move as fast as his opponent can.

5. Quick reflexes. He should know how to detect an incoming shot and be able to block it. He must have the ability to jump as fast as he can repetitively.

Thursday, 14 July 2011

16 Basketball Tips For Pointguards!

So you want to be the quickest ball handler on court?  Then you might want to try 16 of the simplest but best ball handling tips used and practiced by both NBA and WNBA superstars. Doing so will not only make you good in controlling the ball but also in creating plays and get openings for the winning shots. The ball handler, which is in basketball lingo is noted as the point guard, must know how to manage the ball at high speeds because the entire team is dependent on his capability to score.

The 16 basketball tips are as follows:

- Introductory ball handling drill: Stand at one of the ends of the court with both hands holding a ball each. Walk towards the opposite end of the court and bounce your right ball first, followed by the one on your left. The timing should be in the manner that as the right ball hits the floor, the left ball is released. As you get acquainted with the drill, pick up pace. In the long run, you will be running with two balls dribbled. If you can do this then you can be better with one ball at hand.   - Around the world drill: Stand with a ball in both hands. Start circling it around your head, waist, and knees. Bend and spread your legs, circle the ball around one leg to the other. This will help you get more feel of the ball while promoting hand coordination as well as speed.

- The Scissors: With your left foot ahead of the right, bounce the ball between your legs starting from your right hand and passed to the left hand. As it passes, shift the position of your legs. This time the right leg is ahead and the ball passing between the changed positions of your legs.

- Catch-catch-catch: Hold the ball between your legs with both hands on it, right in front and left at the back. Quickly switch hands without letting the ball fall.

- Crab Walk: Stand at one end of the court with your left leg forward and pass the ball under. Change steps going forward with the ball being passed under the ahead leg.

- Figure 8: Spread your legs and circle the ball in an 8 figure around the legs with your head looking forward. Increase speed as you continue doing so. This drill will help you get a feel of the ball and increase speed.

- Figure 8 Dribbling: Dribble with your fingers while you are bent at the waist going around your legs in a figure of 8. Increase speed as you continue.

- Figure 8 drop: Circle the ball from the outside of your left leg to the outside of your right. As it reaches the back between your legs, let it drop and reverse your hands and catch the ball before it bounces again.

- Figure 8 drop reverse: Do the drill in tip #8 and when you bounce the ball, reverse your movement. Circle the ball outside your right leg and around your left leg starting at the back to the front.

- Figure 8 running in place: Do the drill in tip #8 but this time run in place

- One on two: Advance the ball against two supposed defenders to force the use of variety of maneuvers and being alert of defense at the same time.

- Pass and Catch: Practice the body awareness drill. Bounce the ball with two hands into your spread legs going to the back. Then catch it with both hands and pass it back to the front with both hands again.

- Sit-up while dribbling: Do sit-ups while dribbling with your right hand around your feet, then switch hands as you lie down. Dribble with your left hand as you sit up again. Do this faster as you continue.   - Squeeze the banana: Squeeze your fingers and thumb together as you move the ball quickly from one hand to the other at eye level. Doing so will improve your finger and arm strength for ball control.

- Touch-touch-touch: ball between your legs; touch the ball with your right fingers then with your left. Do the same at your back. Continue touching as fast as possible. 

- Up the ladder: From in front of your waist, pass the ball from one hand to the other with your finger tips. This will help develop your finger tip control in handling the ball properly.

These drills are actually difficult to master but with constant practice, you will surely get it. In a matter of time, you will be a great ball handler by doing so.

How To Score Through College Basketball

A Brief Introduction

Still thanks to the undying efforts of Dr. Naismith, intercollegiate basketball was formed. He became both an instrument and an inspiration. Establishing college basketball, he extended extra efforts by coaching for the University of Kansas. This lasted for 6 weeks and then handed his position over to the well-known Forrest Allen.

Naismith advocates and disciples spread through the country and reached each state far and wide. People like Amos Stagg who introduced it to the University of Chicago and Adolph Rupp became the coach for the University of Kentucky.

The Real Score

There are only a few who can make it through college basketball. And only those gifted and well-trained teams get into the finals. How you ask. It's all in the moves you execute.

Basketball moves are those actions done individually by players. It could either be a defensive method or an offensive one. This will enable the player to successfully gain total access to score a basket or perform a clean pass to an open teammate.

There are typically 3 ways to outsmart an opponent.

1. Dribbling - a move that is required while bringing the ball at any point inside the court. Dribbling is one requirement to avoid travelling. There are several ways to perform dribbling, some, in the most creative and protective manner.

One kind of dribble that confuses the opponent is the crossover. The one handling the ball tends to change from its normal pace to freeze or confuse the aggressive defender. You can usually see this move in street basketball. This is a playful way that is often seen with players who wants to generate an easy jump shot or layup. Familiar players like Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson can be seen using this kind of dribbling. The crossover is also called as the "ankle-breaker" because this dribble often catches the defenders off guard, suddenly lose their balance and sometimes fall down.

2. Passes - literally, this means passing the ball. To know these techniques makes the ballhandler be more skillful on thinking how to pass without the opponent getting in between or being able to get it.

There are several ways to pass. One of which is the fundamental chest pass. This is a stepping stone of learning how to pass effectively. A chest pass is performed by stepping with one foot toward your target then push the push forcefully from their chest outward using two hands while making the hands turn over. This is most effective on the perimeter or in open court.

The bounce pass is another kind of pass that is considered as a very effective type of passing the ball. Using a strong amount of energy, the ball is passed by bouncing it off the floor with an angle going to the teammate. At a flash, this could also be an assist because of its speed that can intercept the opponent from retrieving the ball.

3. Shots - these are the basic and most essential element that is needed to win a game. Every shot must be made into perfection to gain a point. Shots can be classified as layups, putback and tip-in, and bankshot.

Other moves and shots involved are the up and under which will rely on a fake shot that is the up and the step-through that will be the under. A hook shot is also one of the most attractive and effective shots made yet difficult to do.

Learn more about these techniques because this will definitely help you score into college basketball.