Even the greatest basketball players alive do not know absolutely everything there is to know about the game. The sport changes with the times, and you have to keep up. Would you like to have a competitive edge? Read on to give you an edge over the competition.
Proper balance is essential when shooting. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. They improvise to do that. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.
Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.
Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. Practicing the running and jumping method will help you shoot better this way in a game.
Having a good foundation is key when shooting the ball. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. These are not practiced skills, they are just flukes. If you are able to improve your sense of balance, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.
If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. This is the hip area, the lower back, and the abs. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. A solid and strong core lets force that comes from the legs get used for beneficial movements when playing, like faster running and higher jumping.
Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you. If you haven’t practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.
Have your team mates critique your playing skills. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. Find out what others perceive as your natural gifts and build upon those more completely.
Quality footwork will help you get better shots. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Footwork is the key to either of these.
Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. This keeps you aware of what is going on so you aren’t surprised. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.
You need to be quick to be good at basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent. In order to play fast, you must practice drills. Don’t play too fast and risk your chances. You will end up in a turnover if you play too fast.
When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. Jump rope can be used to speed up your feet.
Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed. Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.
Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.
To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements. As you adopt this routine, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.
Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.
If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it. Mastering this skill will provide you with a major advantage on the court.
For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. As you adopt this routine, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.
Work on making your forearms and hands stronger in order to improve ball handling. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. Do not remain in one place. It’s not likely that you will be able to successfully catch and shoot without moving. Things rarely happen unless you are actually moving the basketball.
Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. You will find that it becomes easier to score and make layups.
Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. Dribbling fast allows you to keep better control of the ball and there is a slimmer chance of it being stolen from you. If the defense gets to be too much, look to pass the ball to someone who is open.
Basketball players need to engage in strength training. Being physically tough is as important as having the stamina to keep up with the game. Even the youngest kids that play will benefit from the game. As players mature, weight training can begin. When they become adults, strength training is critical to maintaining solid court performance.
When you’re working with defense, staying low is a good idea. This stance will keep you ready for whatever comes your way. You always want to have a strong defensive stance on the court. The only time you should be out of your stance is when you are jumping to block an opponent shooting.
You can use your guards and point guard to trap an opponent with a 2-3 zone defense. After he crosses the midcourt line, they should run and trap him. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. This will likely cause the point guard to make a high, short pass, which your forwards will steal quite easily.
If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. You will have more control as you use it to do daily activities that require dexterity. That can make your game better.
If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. The standard line , high school and college lines are all going to be closer. If you can make a basket from there, you will open up the defense because they will have to play you closely.
When you dribble, bend your knees. The farther the ball has to bounce, the less control you will have of it. Some minor bending of the knees makes a big difference in your ability to control the ball.
Only stop dribbling if you want to shoot or pass. If you stop, you limit your options. If you decide not to shoot a basket or pass the ball on, you are only allowed to pivot on the heal that is furthest back. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.
Always practice from all spots on the court. Balance and grip are the first two things to practice. It is possible to succeed when shooting in an off-balance way, but the odds do suffer. The valve, which is located at the center of the ball, should help you perfect your grip. Your fingers of the dominant hand can be placed on the ball with your palm centered on the valve.
Don’t just practice while static; try to move around while shifting your weight to learn how to best control the ball. Basketball games are fast and you will encounter different scenarios while dribbling. You might be able to go through an open court or have to switch sides to avoid opponents. You must know how to dribble the ball no matter what your body is doing. This will help you maneuver around trouble.
If you’re serious about your game, you should take your diet seriously. If you play all the time, you need to eat carbs on a regular basis. Don’t neglect protein and fat, though. The best additions are whole wheats, grains, poultry and nuts. Look for foods with low amounts of fat and sugar.
To help ward off your opponent, practice using your other hand to help shield him away from you. This keeps your opponent from being able to steal the ball. This move helps to keep the ball protected and you in control of it.
A missed shot from the corner often results in the ball landing on the opposite side of the net. If that happens, you can guess the place where it will go and manage to get the rebound.
Be sure to be well acquainted with your team mates so that you can all work well in cooperation. It takes the efforts of an entire team to succeed. This means that defense and offense are not one-on-one. The whole team has to work together. Communicate with your team and you will have more success.
Double Dribbling
Make sure you practice shooting all over the court. Begin with practicing your grip and balance. It’s possible to shoot off balance but it isn’t as accurate. The basketball’s air valve can be used to aid in perfecting your grip. Put the middle of your shooting hand over the basketball’s valve.
Double dribbling is a huge no-no. To keep from double dribbling, simply refrain from starting to dribble a second time after you have already stopped dribbling once in that same possession. After you stop dribbling, your only options are to shoot or pass. You cannot start dribbling again. Doing so results in a turnover, which means the opposing team will get the ball.
Diet is essential when it comes to playing ball. Basketball uses a lot of energy; therefore, it is important to fuel your body with lean protein and whole grains. Great ideas to bring into your diet are wheat breads, peanut butter, chicken and nuts. Conversely, avoid salt and sugar whenever you can.
Hopefully, these great tips have given you confidence. These tips will make you a better player. Never stop learning and always keep practicing. Get better at the game and keep all of the things you’ve read here in mind so you can begin working towards being better.
Be sure that you’re not double dribbling. A double dribble occurs when you’re done dribbling one time and then begin to do it again a little while afterwards. You only have two options once you stop dribbling, to shoot or pass. You cannot return to dribbling again. If you do, it’s called a turnover and your opponent will be given the ball.
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