Basketball Fundamentals:The Mental Aspect Of Basketball

Most people would tend to perceive basketball as a purely physical game. You can see that evidence everywhere: endless physical training to bout any bodily weaknesses; energy drinks and foods that focus on combating fatigue; clothes and shoes that give comfort during the game; etcetera, etcetera.

Perhaps, to add further proof, we can add in the basketball athletes' way of delivering the game itself. They thrust and drive and pivot and shoot-it's all a perspiration-inducing game.

But beyond all the physicality of the game, it would be wise to believe that mental preparation is also a necessity in this type of sport. Mental training isn't just for chess or any sedentary mind game. In fact, it is equally as important as physical training.

Now, you might be asking, how you will be able to incorporate mental training or any psychological preparation into each of your game. It's definitely not easy. The basic attitudes are persistence, perseverance and the will to finish any commitment. Just like physical training, the required mental trainings ask for competitiveness and the three attitudes just mentioned are essential.

0nce you are committed to do whatever it takes to gain the edge on your game, here are the most common techniques that mind experts (that's psychologists to you) advise you to do:

1. Relaxation of the mind-this includes exercises that are similar to yoga exercises where you relax your mind in spite of the distractions. The mind relaxation technique is voluntary and you should be able to calm your mind even if the dog outside is barking or when your roommate has just blasted on the TV. Concentration is the keyword in achieving this technique. This means you should be able to control what you feel even if you have just gone through a stressful day at the office.

2. The Will to change Unpleasant Attitudes-this is a must. To be able to incorporate new ways into your game, you should be willing to give up your old ways. If there are many attitudes that get in the way of gaining a better game, then you must get rid of them for the sake of improvement. Anger management is on this list. If you are the type that explodes at the smallest provocation, then it is high time to control this negative attitude and gear it towards having a controlled temper. If you are also the type that puts off routines and other necessary training until you tend to cram when the game draws near, then it's time to discipline yourself.

3. Control of Energy-you will be better able to direct your strength towards the achievement of a better basketball game.

4. Have a Can Do Attitude-visualize yourself scoring more than you have ever done. If you believe in yourself and the power that your mind is able to do, then you will start seeing results. Equipped with this new found attitude towards the game (and life in general) and constant practice, then there is nowhere to go but up.

5. There was an interesting study on stress management called the Stress Inoculation training. In this training, the basketball athletes were exposed to minimal, initial doses of stress until they gradually underwent heightened introduction of stresses. This study wanted to prove that immunity from stress might be achieved. Perhaps a good source of 'stress' would be the rigors of basketball training itself. It's physically draining but in a good way.

6. Attain a confident attitude-self-esteem is an integral part on any basketball player's game. Once he has the confidence, all other techniques come easy.

7. Love of the Game-work becomes work only if it stops being something you enjoy. When an athlete starts to see the boring side of the game or when he fails to 'feel' the game, then that's where failure creeps in. Shun basketball when you don't enjoy it-plain and simple.

There are so many techniques of basketball game improvement. But if you have read carefully, you will notice that it all boils down to one-you. When you know what you want and work hard to achieve it physically, nutritionally and mentally, then you are on your way to achieving success.

Why You Should Have An Ankle Brace

Basketball is a game full of action. It involves a lot of running and body contacts. And these more often than not result to injuries like ankle sprains. Different basketball moves such as crossover dribbling may also cause injuries like this one. Because of the body movements and actions involve in playing basketball, injuries like ankle sprains cannot be avoided. What players do is to use basketball ankle braces.

Before trying to understand what these ankle braces are, you need to understand ankle sprains first. Ankle sprain is usually caused by falling off and accidentally twisting the ankle too far. Signs of ankle sprains include swelling, bruising, pain or tenderness, stiffness and the inability to walk or even bear the weight.

Depending on how badly the ligaments are forced or stretched, an ankle sprain could be mild or severe. The latter can be very painful. While some may still be able to play with sprained ankle, as with the case of Manu Ginobili in the recent NBA Championship games against the Lakers, some will be advised to rest and will miss several games.

To combat ankle sprains, players use basketball ankle braces or tape your ankles. But, if you are not trained to do it, you should not tape your ankles lest you want to experience discomfort. Usually, an experienced trainer or your coach will be able to administer ankle tapes properly. So, what do you think is better? Tape or ankle braces?

Tape vs. Ankle Braces

For teams with low budgets, tapes are usually the option. It is almost ten times cheaper than a pair of ankle braces. Tapes are widely available especially for the young athletes. The disadvantage, however, is that it can cause blisters and pains when administered improperly.

Ankle braces can be use easily especially if they fit the user. They are mostly beneficial in providing support, stabilizing and limiting the motion of the ankle joint. There are also lots of choices when it comes to ankle braces. However, the most common type of basketball ankle braces are the lace up braces which feature Velcro for better stability.

In the end, choosing tape or ankle braces still depends on the player who will use it. Some may feel comfortable with tapes while some prefer basketball ankle braces.

Getting the Best Deals on Basketball Ankle Braces

If you opted for basketball ankle braces over tapes, the next thing that you should decide on is where to buy them.

• Sports shops – your local athletic shops surely offer wide array of ankle braces for you to choose from. Be sure to look for ankle braces that fit you.

• Online shops – if you don’t have time to take the trip down your local sports shops, you can always buy online. And as there are lots of sports shop websites online, you have lots of choices. You can even compare which online shop offers the best products and the best prices. You just have to make sure that the website is legitimate.

Say, you are serious about playing basketball and even dreamed of joining one of the prestigious teams in the NBA; you have to learn the proper discipline of professional basketball. And one of them is wearing the right gear such as wearing basketball ankle braces. Choosing the right pair is also an important factor.

Want To Improve Your Basketball Skills? Take A Look At These Tips!

The love of basketball extends to the young and older alike. Basketball is played all over the world by novices and pros with one thing in common; the need to play their best. Learning the tricks of the game and how to improve your skills can be found in the article ahead. Learn proper dribbling. You'll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm. You'll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Dribble off to the side waist high. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! Improving your flexibility will greatly help you during a game. If you're flexible, you'll be able to move around defenders better.

Practicing with your team is important, but don't overlook the value of daily practice on your own. Set up a daily practice time for yourself and stick to your schedule. Practice footwork, shooting, and dribbling. It is also important to include strength training and endurance training in your practice schedule.

When playing basketball, remember that you are playing on a team. Don't be a "ball hog." A team is like a support system and your teammates are there to help you and you should be there to help them. The objective of the game is to work together to beat the opponent. When shooting the basketball, it is important to maintain good balance. Jumping and leaning to the right or the left can result in a missed goal. Learn to jump straight up while maintaining your balance for best results. You can practice this by running and shooting the ball during your practice time.

TIP! Never pass the ball and stand still. This is a mistake most often made by those new to the game of basketball.

When trying to pass the ball to your teammate, the chest pass is one of the most effective. To do the chest pass, have your knees bent while you step into the pass. Then, make sure your thumbs are facing down and that the ball is coming off of your fingertips. Keep in mind that basketball shoes don't last forever. Ask questions at the store or do research to find out just how many games or months a good pair should last before needing replacement. You need to feel safe in the quality of your footwear when moving on the court. Need to dupe the opposition? You should try a back pass. If you wish to try this pass, get the ball in your dominant hand. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. You can use this action to deceive your opponents.

TIP! Be careful not to travel when dribbling the basketball. Traveling occurs when you take too many steps in between dribbles.

Try yoga to improve your basketball game. You might not want to tell your teammates about it, since some of them are going to likely laugh. However, the increased flexibility and agility you get helps prevent injuries or at least leaves able to get back up quicker when you get knocked down. Don't laugh; Kareem Abdul-Jabaar used it to extend his NBA career.

Good rebounding is a key aspect of a success basketball player, so practice rebounds and jumping. Many easy baskets come from the second, third or even fourth shot taken. Practice getting your own rebounds. It is very common for a ball to hit off the rim and head right back towards you. When shooting free throws in basketball, make sure you properly line up with the basket. Your lead foot needs to be lined up with the rim's center. If you're right-handed, your lead foot will be the right foot. If your court has a hardwood floor, check it for a dot. If it has one, put your toe on it for a straighter shot.

TIP! Keep your opponents guessing as to where you will be going next. Dart right, lean left, move back and forward too.

To stay hydrated while playing basketball outside on a hot day, make sure you drink plenty of water or sports drink before you head outside, and take a bottle with you. When you sweat, you not only lose water, but you lose electrolytes and sodium. Sports drinks like Powerade help you replace those and keep your edge on the basketball court. Passing between your legs can be helpful when the other team is riding you hard. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage. Learn something about basketball every day. Even if it's the off-season and there's nowhere to play, you can still improve your game. Read up on tips via books and websites or watch archived games to see what your favorite pro players can teach you. You may be surprised how much rubs off the next time you're on the court.

TIP! Make sure you know what is going on with your feet. If you step on the baseline, you will be out of bounds.

If you want to be sure that you are dribbling correctly, dribble in some dirt. When you're done, take a look at your hands. If your fingers are dirty while your palm is nice and clean, then you are holding the ball correctly. A dirty palm means you need to refine your technique. To better your vertical jumping in basketball, try doing some deep knee bend jump exercises. Begin by standing straight. Quickly crouch down as low as possible with your bottom nearly touching the ground, then jump upwards as high as possible. The minute you land, crouch immediately and jump back up again. Try doing this about 15 times, and when you're able to, try increasing it to 20, 30, and so on. Don't do these exercises more than four or fives times every week. To develop an accurate shooting stroke, put your dominant hand under the ball and use your other hand on the side of the ball, as a guide. If you develop this consistency, you will be able to follow through with your shooting hand and get a high, looping arc that is more likely to go through the hoop.

TIP! Strive to be a player that everyone can respect. You are representing your team both on the court and off.

To inbound a basketball successfully, you have to be able to look one way and pass another. Many times, defenders will follow your eyes to try to guess where you are going to throw, so if you can look to the left and pass to the right, you will fake many defenders out. Taking your ball skills to the next level is not so hard when you focus on information like you have read here. The key to being great at a sport like basketball, is gaining more knowledge. Now that you have some great ideas for improving your game, get on the court and take charge.

Great Advice For Basketball Enthusiasts - Tips To Up Your Game

When you want to understand how to cook something, you look up a recipe online. As you continue cooking new recipes, you are better at it, and your food comes out tastier. The same goes for the game of basketball, so read the helpful hints below to better your game. If you feel you've been spending too much time on the the bench, ask your basketball coach what you can do to help the team the next time you are in practice. Hang on every word he or she says. This will demonstrate your intense interest in helping the team win by improving your own play and should get you more game time! To improve your basketball dribbling skills, set cones out on the court and practice dribbling in and out of the cones. Go from one end of the court to the other at different speeds to enhance your ball control. After you have been up and down the court several times, practice stopping and shooting from various positions. You can learn how to pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team's passes. Don't get discouraged if it is hard initially' because the gains you will make are sure to be worthwhile. You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won't always be around. There's nothing wrong with that. There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. There is always something to practice. Learn the positions on a basketball court. Each position has different roles to fill on both offense and defense. There are guards, point guards, forwards, power forwards, and centers. If you want to really enjoy basketball, learn the needs of all of the positions, not just the one you are most interested in. Basketball Training Incorporate lots of squats into your basketball training. Squats help to increase the natural elasticity of the legs and buttocks. When you need to propel yourself down the court, speed is imperative and demands strong legs. Squats will also do wonders for your jump shot and dunks. Bring weights into your squats and you will create a winning combination. Basketball Skills Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Watch professionals play or go check out talented local teams to see who has the moves that you want to learn. You'll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you're watching them do. As you attempt to keep up your skills in the off-season, make sure you have fun with your fitness routine. Mix things up and include workouts that focus on endurance, strength and basic basketball skills. When the new season rolls around, you will feel sharp and be ready to go! Organize some fun informal basketball games with your teammates. It's not always about the full court and the teamwork. Sometimes it's about building camaraderie, and silly basketball games like HORSE and Around The Horn can bring a team closer together. Plus, they help you improve your basketball skills while you're at it! Know that you can't train to play professional basketball if you're just working on your half court basketball skills. A lot of courts are made to be smaller versions of a basketball court, and that doesn't allow you to get used to playing a full court game. See if a local gym has a full sized court, or even a school yard if they'll let you use it after school hours. Basketball is a sport anyone can enjoy, but only those who take the time to learn about it will find success with it. From practicing daily to reading expert advice, the more work you put into your game, the more you will get out of it. Today, use these tips and work towards success.Basketball Training

Dribbling Isn't Enough - Great Tips To Improve Basketball Skills

Whether you want to shoot hoops like a pro or cheer from the bleachers, you need basketball information in order to enjoy the game. Are you lost? Don't get upset. Basketball is a fun game that is simple to learn. Read on and gather up some fun tips to help you better your skills and make the game more fun to watch.


Basketball Training.  You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand's palm. This provides you with much more ball control. Always dribble to your side, not your front. You should always be looking up instead of at the ground.

Perfect your free throw. That's a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. This technique should be practiced often if possible. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Maintain focus on the basket and try to visualize your basketball falling through the hoop. Shoot the basketball exactly as you saw in your mind.

Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven't practiced enough. Take the ball with you wherever you go. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. If you are staring at the ball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.
Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. They're just improvising at this point. When you shoot, you should always be properly balanced, which will help you make more baskets more consistently.

It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. There are many factors which come into play, though.

Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn't anyone around to play with. That should not matter. You can still practice when playing alone. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. You can always find things to work on.

Never play through an injury when playing basketball. This sport is physically demanding and you can become injured. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. Visit a doctor if you think it's serious.

Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. You should be look at scouting reports, practicing techniques and watch tapes. Know which team members are right handed and which ones are left handed. If you know their game, you can defend against it. Strong defenders are knowledgeable defenders.

In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. Also, this will improve your balance as you approach the basket.

Build a consistent routine for your free throws. A consistent routine enables the shooter to have a perfect motion every time. Repetition is an excellent way to improve your ability to make each free throw. Stick with a routine until you can perfect it. If you are off your game, you will not make the shot.

A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Force them into an uncomfortable zone. Be aggressive as you execute your moves. Never allow them to decide what plays will be made. Otherwise, the opponents will win all the shots and dominate you. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.

Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills. Don't believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.Basketball Training Aids

If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. You need to learn how to slide your feet instead of crossing one foot in front of the other. Don't let your feet get crossed and it will be hard to get around you.
Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. The guard will think you are slowing down and will also straighten themselves. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. Don't push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you may use your free arm to create a barrier that keeps your opponent away from the ball. Just keep it up slightly while dribbling with the other hand.

It is important to eat well if you want to be in tip-top basketball shape. In order to be skilled at basketball you need to load up on carbs to give yourself plenty of energy. You want to make sure that your body has enough energy to keep going; think about eating chicken, nuts and whole grain bread. Stay away from salt and sugar.

If a shooter is located at a corner, their missed attempt is likely to waft to the opposite side. If this is the case, you need to guess where it will end up and catch the rebound as a result.
Now, that wasn't so hard, was it? Since you have now expanded your basketball knowledge, you will be well aware of the joy that can be gained from the game. Keep this information in mind to become a great basketball player. Basketball Fundamentals