If you’ve dreamed of becoming a basketball star, you know what kind of dedication is necessary. Even if you happen to be a purely recreational player, you probably still wish to play well. The information presented here is sure to help you improve your game, no matter what level you play at now.
Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This gives you the best ball control. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Always look upwards, never at the ground.
Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Keep your eyes up.
Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.
Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.
Balance is important when shooting. Falling when you make a shot is not the right way to shoot. 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.
Proper balance is essential when shooting. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. Those who do this are improvising. If you are able to improve your sense of balance, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.
Practice your layups a lot. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, jumping and shooting in a smooth series of motions. This will assist you in perfecting your ability to jump and then shoot.
Bounce Pass
Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. A core that’s solid and strong will allow you to use force that comes from your legs so you can jump higher and run faster.
Teach yourself how a bounce pass can be properly thrown. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. There are other variables to consider though.
If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. Figure out which people are right or left handed. Your defensive game will be a lot more effective after you get to know your opponent. Understanding the intricacies of the game will make you a better player.
Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you. If you haven’t practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.
Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. When you’re in a shooting slump it usually means that your shoulders are not square to the hoop. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. You should also make sure that your dominant shoulder is lined up with the rim.
Are you interested in being able to fool the other team? Make use of the back pass. Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. The next step is to draw the ball behind you. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. This should trick the opposing team.
Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. Soon, you will be able dribble with your weaker hand as well as you can with your dominant hand.
Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. You must beat the opposing playing to an open spot. When you are in position, you must secure your spot. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.
You must disrupt and upset the play of your opponent if you want to be successful as a defensive player. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Make aggressive plays. Don’t allow them to control the match. This will give your opponent the advantage. Force them to act and their rhythm will get disrupted.
Never play through an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is physically demanding, and injuries are relatively common. Trying to play through the pain could just cause more damage. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
Dribble with force to prevent the ball from being stolen. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If you are being closely guarded, you should cease dribbling and pass the ball to an open member of your team.
Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. Avoid putting your palm on the ball, too. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.
If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. Slide your feet from side to side or push off with your opposing foot so that you are always in position. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.
Work on core strength when you work out. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. You should get a good workout in your hips, buttocks, back and abs. Much like boxers do, you have the ability to bolster your footwork and agility by using a jump rope.
Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player. Even kids can benefit by getting stronger through exercise. As they get older you can use weights to help enhance their performance. When you get to be an adult is when you want to concentrate on strength training to help improve durability on the court.
Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.
When dibbling the ball, bend your knees. When you stand straight up, you’ll find that the ball is harder to control and the ball will be a lot easier for an opponent to steal. Merely bending your knees a bit can provide you with much better ball control.
Practice looking in the opposite direction when you make a pass. This may confuse your opponents, greatly. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. It can be a really powerful move in the game.
Don’t just practice while static; try to move around while shifting your weight to learn how to best control the ball. Remember that you must dribble in a variety of situations during a basketball game. You may see an open court but there are opponents ready to swarm you. Because of this, you must be able to dribble efficiently regardless of your body’s position. Dribbling can help get you out of trouble.
The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal. Your defensive moves must be aggressive and executed properly. Do not let them choose the plays to make. The more aggressively smart team is usually the one who wins. Instead, disrupt their rhythm by making the first move.
When catching a rebound, be sure to land with legs that are spread wider than your shoulder span, to help keep your balance. Make sure that your hands are on both sides of the basketball, and that you hold it close to your chest. Don’t let your elbows poke another player or you will gain a foul.
Ensure that you have good court awareness. This will enable you to make good shots as well as catching passes that come your way. Great peripheral vision is an asset. If you scan the entire court instead of keeping your eye on the basketball, you will be aware of oncoming defensive pressure as well as the positions of your open teammates.
What your position is in relationship to the rebound can help you figure out if you will still have the ball. Jump with both feet for improved power and balance and retrieve the ball with both hands. Once you have the basketball, land with wide feet that will help you keep your balance.
If you see a chance to gain control of the ball, take it. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.
When you shoot, try to stay calm. Keep focused on the basket. Specifically, make it a habit to look right behind the basket when you take a shot. If you are not doing a lay-up, it is best to look at the area from which the ball should bank off.
Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around. Don’t forget not to cross your feet, and you won’t be easy to get around.
Know the weaknesses of your game. This above all else, to thine own self be true. Focusing on practicing your foul shots if you miss those a lot. If your playing is weaker close to the hoop, work on short shots and up your physical play. Conquer all your weak points so you continue to mature into a great player.
Use the various techniques discussed in this article during your next ball game. You will start to see improvement little by little as you remember what you’ve read, use the tips, and practice them. If you work hard on your game, it’ll get better every day.
Always force your opponent’s action towards the sideline when you are on defense. Letting a player continue to work down the middle of the floor will leave them with many options. Their options are far more limited when you can force them to work the sidelines.
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