This is why basketball is enjoyed by so many people; the game is fast and exciting. To be good at it, you have to understand the game. The following tips will help you take your game up a notch.
If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.
A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.
To get better in your basketball game, focus on your strengths. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Perfect what you can do well by practicing and developing the strengths you already have.
It is important to keep your balance when you shoot. While some NBA players are able to launch a ball to the net mid-fall, this is not appropriate for most people. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. Non-professionals should focus on having good balance to ensure good shots. As time passes, you will make more and more baskets with this method.
A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. Many other factors will affect it, too.
Watching the pros play is a great way to see how great basketball players use their skills in the game. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. Each player has their strengths and you can learn a lot from each one.
Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.
Want to trick the other team? Give the back pass a try! To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. This will confuse the opposition.
Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. This is just fine. There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. You can always practice.
When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.
To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.
Never play through an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. Playing fast takes practice, though, and steady drilling. Just don’t play any faster than you’re able to. Playing beyond your speed can result in bad passes and excessive turnovers.
Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Can you get better at something? Perhaps you are quick footed, or you are always ready to lend a hand on the court. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.
Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Tie your dominant hand behind your back and force yourself only to use your weak hand. In no time, the weak hand will also be useful for dribbling.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. One simple thing to know before the game is if your opponent shoots with their right or left hand. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. Knowledge is power, even in basketball.
Perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearms and hands in order to maximize your ability to handle the ball. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can stay stationary, catch all the ball, and shoot them from that same location. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.
When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This can go a long way toward confusing the opposition. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. When completed correctly, it creates an awesome play.
If it is possible, keep all action below the knee. Defenders will have a more difficult time stealing the ball. You will have to bend a little to make this happen, but it will keep you moving down the court quickly, especially since you are thwarting everyone trying to get to you.
Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. In this way you can get the rebound without a foul.
The easiest way to do well at basketball is to speak with the team to see what everyone is up to. Basketball is nothing if not a team sport. It is not a one-on-one game. Everyone helps everyone else. Be vocal on the court to form better communication with your teammates for play.
Changing up your pace is something you have to do to make sure the offense is paying attention. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. This will cause the guard to believe you are slowing, and it will also cause them to straighten up. Push forward and blast by them.
Keep your dribbling in a rhythm until you want to throw your opponent off guard. By dribbling consistently and then breaking it up into a different rhythm that’s fast, you can trick an opponent so you have more time to shoot. When they are focused on stealing the ball, your change in rhythm can really throw them off.
Strength Training
Don’t dribble twice in a row with a stop in between. This occurs when you have stopped dribbling, held the ball for a few seconds, and then start dribbling again. After you quit dribbling the only thing you can do is shoot or pass. You cannot return to dribbling again. Doing so results in a turnover, which means the opposing team will get the ball.
Basketball players need to engage in strength training. Strength, flexibility and stamina are all important things to have in basketball. Proper exercise allows younger players and older players an improved physical presence on the court. As they start to get older, get them some weights to help them exercise harder. During the adult years, strength training is vital to keeping on-court performance at a high level.
As you come off a rebound, come down with legs that are spread out wider than the broadness of your shoulders. This will increase your balance. Put one hand on each side of the basketball, and hold it against your chest. Make sure you don’t hit anyone else with your elbows.
To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. These tasks help to make your weaker hand feel more natural when you use it on the court. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.
The position you take just before and just after getting a rebound will play a large role in whether you can retain possession. Jump using both feet for increased power and stability and grab the ball using both hands. After rebounding, land with wide feet to keep your balance, and clutch the ball to your chest.
To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. Taking quick shots during practice will help you during the game when the pressure is on. Hone in on your target while you are jumping, but not before you leave the ground. This can help to improve your accuracy by simulating actual game conditions.
Manage your nerves whenever you shoot. Concentrate on the basket. Your eyes should fix a point behind the rim while you shoot. When shooting layups, be sure you are using the backboard.
Basketball is a sport that is enjoyed around the globe. From this article, you’ve learned that some special knowledge is required to play like the professionals do. Use what you’ve learned here to become the basketball player you want to be.
If a team is good at defending their zone, you need to attack with a penetrating dribble. Getting by a defender and into the lane will cause the defending team to either shift or collapse on the ball. If you get yourself well into the paint, go for the shot. If the penetration opens up another player, slide the ball their way for an easier shot if you haven’t got one.
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