The first time you stepped on the basketball was probably very exciting. You learned to get the ball and make a shot. You might feel like you’ve mastered the game right about now. The following article will show you realize you can still have much to learn.
Try learning how to hit free throw shots. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. Practice a lot with the following method. Start out by holding the basketball right in front of you. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Shoot the basketball exactly as you saw in your mind.
You need good balance if you’re shooting. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals. You need to maintain good balance while shooting, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.
Learn how to throw proper bounce pass. A useful bounce pass will hit the other player near their waist. A useful tip is to have the ball bounce at about 3/4 of the distance that the recipient. There are other factors you have to think about too, though.
Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. You must train both your body and your mind. Be relaxed and concentrate on the basket and you will help you make more free throws.
Free Throws
Free throws are as mental as physical skill. Stay calm and vigilant to improve your free throws.
Practice catching passes often. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones. In the heat of the game, not every pass is going to hit the bulls-eye. 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 that your regular practice includes catching passes. You and your team mates will be happier if you can best complete imperfect passes.
Don’t bulk up if you plan on being a jump shooter. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but there is such a thing as too much. Some guards that play professionally have such big arms that their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.
Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.
The key to ball well is to spread your fingers. This will help you better control of the ball. Don’t let your palm touching the ball either.
Pay attention to your shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. Your shoulders should always be squared up towards the hoop. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up perfectly with the rim.
Be slick with your feet so you can get a rebound from a teammate. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them. You’ll be able to grab the rebound without fouling your opponent.
Always be aware of the locations of your feet are and what they’re doing.
Done Properly
Take charges whenever possible. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.
Practice passing while not looking in the other way when passing. This is a long way toward confusing the opponents. When it’s done properly, this technique distracts the opposition and gives your pass recipient a chance to focus on the basket. It’s quite a great play if done properly.
Practice with your weak hand as much as possible. Tie your dominant hand to the rear of your back and force yourself only to use your weak hand. You will quickly strengthen your weak hand for dribbling.
Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand. Your basketball skills will benefit.
Good footwork will help you to get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender. This allows you to grab the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
Be certain that your site is good. This will enable you to make shots as well as catching passes that come your way. You need to have the best peripheral vision.
Dribble with a rhythm, that is until you need to outsmart your opponents. Dribbling somewhat slowly, then suddenly dribbling fast might give you the opening you need to take a shot. Speed and rhythm are two of the strongest advantages you can have to thwart the opposing team.
The other team’s players will have a harder time stealing the basketball from you. You’ll have to bend down a little to do this, but it will be worth the effort.
Use the hand to create a buffer between the ball and your opposition. You never want to push the opponent with your hand, but you’re able to keep them away by using the arm that isn’t dribbling as a separator. Just keep it raised a little while you use the other hand to dribble.
If you are aware of a weakness in one of your opponent’s hands, make them work with that side. Make them use the hand that their weaker with by cutting off the path on their strong side. Keep your head parallel to their chest, and you will stay low and primed to snatch the ball.
Figure out where it will land to grab the ball.
Double dribbling is considered a huge no-no. This occurs if you resume dribbling seconds after you have stopped your original dribble. Once you stop dribbling, you must either shoot or pass the ball.
Prior to working out, write down should be accomplished during your session. Lots of players hit the gym without a concrete plan. They socialize and flop about with no direction in mind. If you have your workout routine written down, you can focus on improving your conditioning and physicality without distractions.
If you’re in possession of the ball, you have to be able to judge whether you should take the shot or make a pass.
There is no limit to your success when you use these tips. Practice makes perfect and use it to attain all your goals. Put putting these tips to use, along with your plan, you will notice the difference in your game.
Develop a routine which works on the skills you most want to bolster. Get moves and techniques down pat. Do this again and again until you have a great routine. Set goals for yourself and acknowledge the progress that you make.