Want Some Helpful Basketball Advice? Read This

Basketball is a pastime that is much loved by people of all age groups and social strata. Sadly, not everyone has a sufficient grasp of the sport to get all they possibly can from playing and watching it. Fortunately, the article that follows is replete with valuable tips and information to help turn anyone into a basketball expert.

It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Basketball games are won with a good defense. If your team doesnt have a good defense, youre not going to make it far in a game.

To become a better dribbler in basketball, practice with your eyes closed. This will help you to be able to dribble while keeping a close watch on the action of the game. Be sure to practice while youre moving too, so that you can dribble and maneuver around the court without ever having to look down at the ball.

When learning to dribble, you need to learn to dribble with both hands. This is important because you may have to switch hands when dribbling during a game. Also, learn to dribble behind your back and between an opponents legs. This may seem silly, but you may actually use this technique.

Exercise

Want to try a drill which will really work you out? Try dribbling with two balls at once! This will help you learn to master dribbling with both hands, plus it will build your arm muscles very quickly. You cant use your eyes for this exercise, so you will learn to dribble without looking at your hands.

Speed and agility is important, but you need to know how to practice to improve those skills. Running yourself ragged by training for long lengths of time or by running long distances wont benefit your play on the court. Instead, practice sprints and other short bursts of exercise. This better mimics how on the court play really is.

If you want to become a better basketball player, exercise your forearms and your wrists whenever you possibly can. This will significantly help you with your ball handing and control. A strong dribbler always has strong forearms. Practice wrist curls in your exercise routine to improve forearm and wrist strength.

Nutrition

Fueling your body with good nutrition is important for you to play your best in basketball. Include protein, vegetables and complex carbohydrates as part of your training diet. Avoid high sugar drinks because they may provide quick energy but they will quickly let you down later in the game. Drink plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated.

Never underestimate the importance of proper nutrition and hydration. Your body needs proper nourishment to build muscles. Those muscles also need hydration and potassium to be able to keep from cramping up. You wouldnt play basketball with a ball half full of air, so dont play an important game without the proper nutrition and hydration.

After a grueling basketball practice or a tough game, it is essential to provide your body with the nutrition it needs to recover. Ideally, you should consume carbohydrates, and a small amount of protein within about 2 hours to promote muscle recovery and prevent fatigue. Healthy recovery snacks may include bananas, raisins or other fruits.

The popularity of basketball is undeniable, and the sport itself can provide a terrific outlet for folks of all age groups. The best way to extract the most enjoyment from basketball is to learn everything possible on the subject. With any luck, you have found that the piece above has helped you get started doing precisely that.