Are you ready to learn some new techniques? Even if you are a basketball player, there are things left for you to learn. But even the best of basketball players realizes that not everyone knows everything about the sport. Perhaps you will pick up a few new ideas from the information provided here. Continue reading to learn what you can do to be a better player.
If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team. Know the things you’re great at and keep practicing until there is no one better than you.
One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. While the all-time greats have shown time and time again how they can shoot while off-kilter, this is not the ideal way to score. They are improvising. Balance needs to be maintained to consistently make successful shots.
Constantly practice layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. It’s critical to practice running towards the basket at full speed and following up with a good jump and smooth shot. This type of technique will translate well into actual game situations.
You can learn how to pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.
Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.
Need to dupe the opposition? Try doing what is known as a back pass. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. This should help to trick the other team.
Watching the pros play is a great way to see how great basketball players use their skills in the game. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos. You will see that each great player has certain skills that make him great and you can practice what you see him doing.
Bad passes can be avoided with the right hand signals. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another. Hand signals help ensure that the player is ready to take the ball. If no signal is displayed, a pass ought not be made.
Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Even though having strong muscles is great for the inside game, being on the outside it can harm you when shooting the ball. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.
Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way. Keep your palm off the ball too. You should only use your fingers to touch the ball when passing or shooting.
To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court. Avoid this with hand signals that let you know if the player is open to receiving the pass. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.
Speed is everything in basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. It takes steady drilling to play fast. However, don’t try to be faster than you’re physically able to be. If you play basketball past your own speed ability, then you can lose control of you game with bad passes and needless turnovers.
If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.
Improve your ball-handling by strengthening your hands and your forearms. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. Making a goal isn’t just standing there as the ball miraculously comes to you and then shooting it at the basket. Your ability to handle the ball will affect your success on the court.
You may get injured while practicing or playing. Don’t try to play if you are hurt. This sport is physically demanding and you can become injured. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.
Work on getting the ball down the length of a full court with five or fewer dribbles during drills. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. That translates to smooth layups during fast breaks.
One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. You should also make sure that your dominant shoulder is lined up with the rim.
Be certain you are able to see well. This will prepare you for unexpected passes and help you evade defenders. You have to build your peripheral vision. Having good court awareness to see everything around you lets you see plays develop before they happen, either by warding off the defenders or getting the ball to open teammates.
If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable. When making a move, be aggressive. Never allow them to decide what plays will be made. If you do so, then your rivals have the control. It’s important, then, to be aggressive and mess up their game rhythms.
Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. Your defender will likely think you are taking a shot or passing, and straighten up as well. Use this opportunity to sprint past your opponent.
To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. That is the furthest distance that you would ever have to shoot from to score a three. Learning how to shoot from the NBA three point line can help you get better looks at the basket.
Strength Training
To make your shooting skills better, shoot from all around the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Hone in on your target while you are jumping, but not before you leave the ground. This is a good way to simulate real game-time conditions and increase accuracy.
Strength training can improve your game. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Even youngsters can strengthen their arms and legs to improve game play. As they start to get older, get them some weights to help them exercise harder. The adult years are where strength training is crucial to maintain solid performance on the court.
While you dribble, alternate your momentum from your left to right side. When you’re playing a game, you have to dribble when you’re in a lot of different situations. It is likely that you will be fending off two or more players from the opposing team. You have to be able to lean and still dribble straight. It will allow you to escape trouble a lot of the time.
When playing defense, always try to stay low. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Stay in a defensive stance. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to formation as quickly as you can.
Keep the activity below the knees if possible. This will make your opponent struggle to steal the ball from you. Practice moving quickly while dribbling below knee level.
Cease Dribbling
Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in. Hold your arm slightly elevated as you dribble with the opposite hand.
Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you don’t have the chance to shoot or pass, you can just pivot with the foot in the back. Putting yourself in this position makes you more vulnerable to having the ball stolen by the opposing team.
What you eat can affect how you play. You use a lot of fuel playing basketball so a lot of carbs is needed, as well as adequate protein and fats. Some good things to add to a diet would be peanut butter, nuts, chicken, and wheat breads. Try to avoid overuse of salt or sugar in your diet.
Make sure your team really meshes together off and on the court. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another. When you trust your teammates, you’ll play a better game.
When shooting the ball you have to be sure not to get nervous. Stay focused on the net. You should work to keep your eyes on the point furthest away from you on the hoop when you’re shooting. However, for lay-ups, focus your eyes on the spot of the backboard on which you are banking the ball.
Double Dribble
When guarding a player who exceeds you in size, attempt to stay in between that player and the one with the ball. This will make them not available for a pass which can help you to be sure that they can’t just get the ball and shoot over you.
You should never double dribble. A double dribble is when you stop dribbling, then start again. After you stop dribbling, your only options are to shoot or pass. You are not allowed to resume dribbling. This will cause your team to lose the ball.
Being a good passer is key to being a good basketball player. Passing helps confuse the opponent. Not only will it teach you how to play as team, you become well-liked by your teammates. The time will come for you to share your individual abilities. You will be able to show off your individual talents but you must also learn to be a team player.
When catching a rebound, be sure to land with legs that are spread wider than your shoulder span, to help keep your balance. Have your hands on both sides of the ball. Also, be sure to hold it against your chest tightly. Watch that your elbows don’t hit an opponent or a foul will be called.
Never argue with the referees. If you disagree with the call, you can ask the official questions about it. But, you shouldn’t start yelling at them or getting into their faces if you wish to be a team player. Their job isn’t easy, and it’s best to be patient when they make calls.
If you use these tips, you will feel a revived energy when you play the game. Practice new moves to see what success you get from them. Keep in mind that this advice is here to help you up your game. Basketball is a very popular sport, for fans and players alike.
Make sure you put the pressure on when your team is on defense. If you’re close up to him, he can only dribble or at most hold the ball five seconds. With pressure, the player will be more concerned with getting the ball away than taking a shot on the basket.
About The Author
