How To Take Better Shots In Basketball
Basketball Tips for Better Shots
Ball… hoops… and a court…
Basketball isn’t just about these three things; the play itself requires skill, good technique, perseverance and a great deal of confidence so as to perfect basketball shots and actualize them on the court. While many people can play basketball, too few can truly play the sport to the highest degree. In this article, we have gathered some tips that could help improve your scoring average.
There is no great secret to basketball and no one was born to play basketball. Remember that even Michael Jordan poured tons of dedication and long hours of tiring practice before he was recognized on the court.
Practice…practice…practice…
Accidents don’t happen on courts and no player ever scored out of luck. Accurate shots are the products of day in and day out practice until jump shots become second nature.
Constant practice will groove your muscles so that every time you aim the ball, your muscles will retrieve the motion you have registered on it. It is like moving automatically without being conscious of the entire movement; instead you just release the ball in its most perfect motion.
Use the backboard
Have you ever considered using the backboard? If not then you might be losing more scores than you can imagine. Watch Tim Duncan play. His scores often come from using the backboard.
This drill is quite simple but too few players truly use it. Once you excel in this skill, you can set yourself apart from all other players. And there’s no question- it truly works.
The key in here? Practice. During training it is best to use a glass board as this will let you see more clearly the focal point at which you should aim your shot.
Observe good form
Form is central for a good shot. It all starts with the mechanics such as tucking the elbow in, quick movements in maneuvering the ball upward, proper handling of the ball so it doesn’t slip from your hands, shooting the ball and a practiced flick of the wrist.
Like what we have already mentioned, good form is also something that doesn’t just happen. It has to be practiced and no amount of time dedicated to practicing is wasted as this will contribute to the development of your play.
You see, it all lies in the dedication of a person to improve the skills he already has and to discover some that are yet to be seen.
The Object Of The Game Of Basketball
Basketball: The Object of the Game
Basketball is a fast paced game played on a 94-by-50 foot court (NBA) with 1 basket on opposite sides.
The game starts when the official tosses the ball between two players, one from each team, in the middle of the court. This is also referred to as the tip off. The other 8 players stand at specific places outside the mid-circle. The jumpers will try to tip the ball to any of their team members to gain the first possession.
The goal is to score more points than their opponents.
In the professional setting, the game is divided into 2 halves or 4 quarters. Each quarter is 12 minutes long.
During each possession, the offensive team has a time limit to shoot the ball in the basket. This is called the shot clock. The NBA rule allows 24 seconds for each possession. In college basketball, the shot clock is set for 35 seconds.
There are basically 2 ways to shoot and score in a basketball game: shooting when the ball is in play and from the free throw line.
There are several ways to score during play. You can either take a perimeter shot or drive toward the basket. You can score 3 points if you shoot the ball beyond the arc. There are also variations for jump shots including from the baseline, the key, fade away, hook shot, and more. Variations of shots made inside the paint include dunk, layup, and tip-in.
Free throws are earned when the opposing team commits a technical foul or a personal foul. Two free throw shots are awarded when the opposing team commits a technical foul or a personal foul in the act of shooting or within the team penalty. One free throw shot is given to the player who made a shot and receives a foul in the process.
Each player is allowed to commit 5 personal fouls for each game to continue playing. The 6th foul will automatically force the player to retire for the rest of the game. Each player is automatically out of the game if he receives 2 technical fouls. The team is allowed to commits 5 fouls for each quarter before entering the penalty. Every foul made inside the penalty will put their opposing team to shoot free throws.
In the event where the scores are tied at the end of the fourth quarter (or at the end of the regulation period), a 5-minute overtime period is played. If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, a second overtime will be played, and so on… until a team wins a game.
Note: other basketball leagues and basketball associations such as FIBA follow their own sets of rules.
The 5 Key Principles Of Basketball Shooting
Basketball Shooting: Its Vital Principles
The main objective of basketball shooting is accuracy in every release of the ball as it is aimed towards the basket. All basketball players know the importance of accuracy in basketball shooting yet only a few of them are able to do it correctly. Now there is always room for improvement. With a lot of practice and discipline, basketball shooting can always be perfected.
As a basketball player yourself, you must guard your own moves. You have to critic your own basketball shooting moves. Are you able to execute the shots accordingly? Is there more failure or success? You alone can gauge your improvement at basketball shooting. There are of course fundamentals and mechanics that you need to inculcate in yourself if you truly want to be a good basketball shooter.
The Principles of Basketball Shooting
The Mental Principle. Basketball shooting requires a great deal of psychological conditioning on your part. You need to know when it is best to shoot and how you can effectively do it despite the pressures rising on the court. Here are the affecting factors concerning the mental aspect.
Concentration. Every player should focus his attention on his attempts to shoot the ball. Through constant practice, you will be able to exert enough concentration although there is distraction around you. To achieve concentration, you’ve got to learn how to relax even if an opponent is trying to advance towards you.
Confidence. Your guts will speak highly of you. If you fully trust your ability in shooting, you can end up doing it flawlessly. If you are attacked by the lack of confidence, you could mess up the entire game.
The Physical Principle. Aside from the mental factor, the physical aspect counts a lot in the game of basketball. Here are the important factors that you’ve got to arm yourself with.
Establishing the target. This refers to your keenness in eyeing your target despite the commotion thrown by the roaring audience or by the varying movements on the court. You have to focus your eyes to where the ball is and who has the ball at the moment.
The body balance. Body balance means that you can easily concert your muscle efforts. The concept of ball control comes in as well.
Force generation. All of your body parts will be used during the game. Therefore, you’ve got to will yourself to synchronize the forces that you can gather from your shoulders, back, legs, arm muscles, and the likes.
Basketball shooting is relatively important in the game as this determines how your team will score and whether or not you will succeed in winning.
How To Pick The Best Basketball Shoes
Basketball Shoes Standards
Most basketball players would definitely invest in a reliable pair of basketball shoes. After all, the game of basketball requires you to move vigorously. The movements such as jumping, running, shooting, blocking, and other side to side actions are obviously employed in the basketball game. How can one sustain all the necessary moves when his basketball shoes easily tear away?
The basketball players are nonetheless wise enough to choose a good and decent pair of basketball shoes. These pairs of basketball shoes need to be enduring so that not only wear and tear will be overcome but it will contain more of the capacity of hindering any occurrence of injuries on the player’s lower body parts. The basketball shoes should likewise be comfortable to be worn by the player as he executes the routines of the game. This is significant especially that the player needs to move swiftly and the least he requires is any difficulty in transferring his body weight from one foot to another. More so, if you are a basketball player yourself, you should always go for comfortable but reliable basketball shoes. Read more
How To Rebound A Basketball For The Vertically Challenged
Basketball Rebound for Short Guys
People often have the misconception that when they aren’t tall, they can’t make rebounds. Well, this may offer some truths behind it but this doesn’t absolutely have to mean that short people don’t have the capacity to rebound under the basket. It only takes 3 skills to do just that, whether you equal Yao Ming’s height or that of Muggsy Bogues with 5′3!
To be a good rebounder you must posses these three things: determination, positioning and aggressiveness. Even with the lack of height you can conquer the inner court. While it may be easier for taller guys to dominate the area under the basket, you can still have the chance to take the opportunity of getting the ball.
You must initially develop the skill of anticipating where the ball will land after a missed shot. This way, you can better position yourself towards the spot and take over the ball. But short players often have the difficulty of doing this since they are overwhelmed by other taller players. And the common mistake among players under the basket, even with those who are adequately gifted with height, is that they tend to watch the ball’s flight after a missed shot. Read more
Basketball Tips Away From The Ball
Basketball Quick Tips: What to Do When Not Holding the Ball
Ten players are required to play in the game of basketball but only one person is holding the ball at any given time. So what do you do when on the offensive side and you’re not holding the ball? Here are some quick tips to help you maximize the time you have while on the court.
Basketball position
This is the least understood position in basketball and often the most neglected by young players. The initial tendency of players when not having the ball is to stand and wait until their turn comes. However, this must be resolved by moving into a position that offers readiness, both for defense and offense.
You must always keep a crouched body position, with knees flexed and feet apart. The hands must also be in upward position at shoulder level, nearest to the body. Read more
How Basketball Became A Sport
Basketball: How the Game Started
It all started with a child’s game that the inventor, Dr. James Naismith used to play outside his schoolhouse when he was younger. This game was called duck-on-a-rock, it aimed to knock the duck off the rock by tossing another rock against it.
This then gave Dr. Naismith a concept of a game which he introduced to the students of YMCA Training School in 1891. Due to the cold weather, the trainees of the School for Christian Workers needed a game that could be played indoors and one that wouldn’t use much strength. He then conceptualized a ball game that uses two baskets as goals with both teams competing for the most number of shots. Read more
Interesting NBA Basketball Record Fun Facts
Scoring
Most points scored in a single game: Wilt Chamberlain March 2, 1962 (100 points) followed by Kobe Bryant Jan. 22, 2006 (81 points)
Most points scored in one half: Wilt Chamberlain March 2,1962 (59 points)
Most points scored in a quarter: George Gervin (33 points)
Most points scored in overtime: Gilbert Arenas December 17, 2006 (16 points)
Most three-point shots made in one game: Kobe Bryant, January 7, 2003 (12 shots)
Most three-point shots made in one half: Kobe Bryant, March 28, 2003 (8 shots)
Most three-point shots made in one quarter: Michael Redd, February 20, 2002 (8 shots)
Most points scored in a NBA All-Star game: Wilt Chamberlain (42 points)
Most points per game average in a NBA Season: Wilt Chamberlain, 1961-1962. (50.4 ppg.)
Most Points scored in a NBA Career: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), followed by Karl Malone 36,928, Michael Jordan (32,292), and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
Most points per game in a NBA career: Michael Jordan (32.12 ppg.)
Most seasons leading scorer: Michael Jordan (10) Read more
Useful Basketball Dribbling Tips And Pointers
Basketball Dribbling: Pointers that You Ought to Keep in Mind
Basketball dribbling is hailed to be among the most significant skills in playing the game. The most famous basketball players today are really good at dribbling. The skill doesn’t come out naturally though. One needs to hone his skills in basketball dribbling and it means getting the proper training plus the factor of both the arm and leg power. Basketball dribbling requires you to remember the common mistakes made by almost everyone who lacks the practice and to of course do what is supposed to be done.
The Common Mistakes in Basketball Dribbling
One of the ordinarily committed mistakes by people in basketball dribbling is by trying to handle the ball with the palm. In truth, basketball dribbling should be done with the use of the fingers. It follows that your fingers and hands should be equipped with enough strength so that sufficient force will cause the ball to be dribbled. The first thing that comes with dribbling practice is training the fingers to be strong. It is also vital that you can use your right and left hands when dribbling or else your opponent will easily grab the ball. Read more
Basketball Dribbling Tips Of The Pros
Dribbling Tips for Basketball
Basketball players only have two options in moving the ball from one teammate to another, either by passing or by dribbling. Here we will focus on the various types of dribbling typically observed on the court.
Low Dribble
As its name suggests, low dribble just means that you must keep the ball bouncing low nearest to the floor. This can effectively ensure the ball from guards. This entails the dribblers to extend his hand so as to limit the space the opponent can penetrate.
Speed Dribble
This is typically used when the dribbler is an open court and has to take advantage of time while keeping good control with the ball and his body. Because the player isn’t guarded heavily, he isn’t forced to protect the ball excessively. This gives him a good chance to make faster dribbling while achieving some distance. Read more
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