The first time playing basketball was probably very exciting. You learned how to dribble the ball around from player to basket. You might feel like you’ve mastered the game right about now. The tips here are going to help you that you still learn.
Make sure to dribble properly. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.
Always keep your head up and looking forward. You should never be looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling. Bring your ball no matter where you go out.Dribble the ball when you’re walking the dog. If you have to watch the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.
Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handlers. This technique passes the ball is moved from hand to the left hand. The move must be very swift if it is going to work. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you can travel down the court quickly.
Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.
Make sure to practice your layups frequently. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. When practicing this technique, then jump and shoot smoothly. This running and jumping technique will translate well into actual game situations.
Free throws require both mental focus as physical abilities. Relax and focus on the hoop.
If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. As a shooting guard, having bulky arm muscles can actually reduce the number of successful shots.
A good way to hone your basketball abilities is to watch the pros.
Good footwork remains a shot when you are posting up. You must be certain to get the opposing playing to an open spot. Once there, you need to secure it. Both skills rely on solid footwork.
A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way. Maintain awareness of open areas on the ball court that may allow you to quickly score a basket.
Never try to push through pain after an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can easily get hurt. Trying to play while injured will just cause more damage. See a physician if you think your injury is serious enough.
Pay close attention closely to the shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards the hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the rim.
It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. If you fall on a baseline, you will be out of bounds. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. You may get a foul call if you move your foot while you are attempting to take a charge, pick a charge or set a screen.
To get better at shooting free throws, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. Whatever you do, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.
Practice looking in the other way when you make a pass. This can go a long way toward confusing to the other team. If you do this fake the right way, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. It’s a play when done properly.
Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling. You will not be able to stand in one place and shoot. You have to get the ball around, too.
Be certain that your site is good. This will enable you can read the scoreboard and be able to make shots and catch passes. You need to have the best peripheral vision.
Take a charge you can.
Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body. The offense will believe that you’re stopping or slowing down and may follow in your steps. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.
Don’t let your feet to cross to become a hard player to pass.
Try practicing your dribbling while switching the momentum from side to side. This will help you learn to dribble during games frequently.You may see an open court or have to switch sides to avoid opponents. You must know how you can dribble while you’re working with your body is doing. This will help get you find your way out of jams quickly.
Have two of your guards wait for the point guard to go past midcourt for the best results. The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap. Simultaneously, make sure you own forwards are free to sprint to the opposing players who are out on the wings. This will cause the point guard to throw a pass that will allow your forwards to steal.
Use the hand to create a buffer between the ball as a block. You don’t want to be pushing any of your opponents (that’s a foul), but you should use your non-dribbling arm to protect the ball. Keep is slightly up as you’re dribbling the ball with your other hand.
Be certain to practice moves off the court is going to help you on the court. Running sprints can make you faster on individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina. Lifting weights can help you to build muscle to take shots. The aggression and confidence helps you get from this can also assist you more than anything when shooting.
Your off-court practice should mimic your on-court playing. You can run longer distances to build up stamina. To build speed, try doing wind sprints. Both are necessary for playing good ball. You can build muscle to support your shots and ability to hustle by lifting weights and engaging in resistance training. The resulting confidence helps you have more reliable shooting.
These tips will make it easy for you to become a stellar basketball player. Set reasonable goals and practice regularly to become the best player possible. Make use of these good tips to improve your strategy and become the player you have always dreamed of being.