If you’ve ever thought about becoming a great basketball player, you will have seen that it takes a lot of practice and dedication. But even if you’re just play basketball for the fun of it, you would like to be better at it, wouldn’t you? Well here are some great ways to develop those skills and learn new ones.
Focus on your strengths to get better at basketball. Even though your best abilities might not make you stand out each game, it is sure to help you contribute to the overall success of the team. Know the things you’re great at and keep practicing until there is no one better than you.
Crossovers are key for ball handlers. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. The action needs to be performed quickly in order to be successful. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.
You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard. If you have not practiced against this, you may lose your grip of the game for the remainder of it.
Play by yourself to practice. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. It’s okay! You can still practice when playing alone. Work on your pivot moves or practice your free throws. There is always something to practice.
Need to dupe the opposition? Consider the back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand. Now hold the ball behind you. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. This is a good way to trick your opponents.
Don’t play while injured or else your injury will worsen. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.
To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. One things that’s frustrating in basketball is passing to a teammate while they try heading to the basket. The use of hand signals can help you avoid this difficulty. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.
Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.
Don’t play when you are injured! It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.
Always be aware of your feet. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.
A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent. Playing fast requires steady drilling. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. If you play beyond your speed, the game gets out of control, with errant passes and turnovers.
Practice passing while looking another way. This is a simple thing that could easily confuse your opponents. If you do it right, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. It can be a really powerful play.
Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.
To maximize your layups, take off with the foot that opposes your shooting hand. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.
Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. It can be very confusing to your opponents. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. This play can be very powerful.
To gain greater dribbling skill, always practice with the weaker hand as well as the more dominant one. Using both hands to dribble makes you a more effective player, especially when you’re trying to get past your opponent. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.
In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. Practice shooting using your right hand, then jump off your left foot. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.
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. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. This will keep them from being able to choose which plays they will make. The more aggressively smart team is usually the one who wins. Make your moves first and end their patterns.
Your routines must be consistent for free throws. When you stay consistent, you get better success. To better perfect free throw techniques, try using repetition via practicing one routine repeatedly. You are likely to miss your shot if you’re not settled into your routine.
You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If someone is guarding you closely, stop dribbling and pass to someone else who is open on your team.
You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. If you use both your hands to dribble, it is easier to control. Bind your dominant hand so you will be forced to make use of your weaker side. You will get new dribbling skills with your weak hand.
If you want a 2-3 zone to be turned into a machine that traps, your two defenders that are guarding should wait until your point guard is around ten feet past mid court. This can give them an opportunity to run up to that point guard to trap them. Then, have the forwards on blocks run to the wing players. Their point guard will probably hurl a pass that is easy for your own forwards to steal.
Make it your goal to dribble the ball across the entire court in under 5 dribbles. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. It can mean easier lay-ups when dealing with fast breaks and it can help your teammates for just a moment.
Use your non-dribbling hand as a barrier between your opponent and the ball. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in. Just keep it raised a little while you dribble with your dribbling hand.
Keep low as you defend. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier. Keep yourself in proper defensive stance at all times. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to formation as quickly as you can.
Your off-court practice should mimic your on-court playing. Work on sprints to make you faster and build your stamina. Weightlifting or resistance training improves your muscle tone. This is also good for making you much more relaxed while you’re shooting the ball.
To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. That can make your game better.
It is necessary to be capable of altering the path of your opponent. Whether you are playing defense or offense, controlling the movements of your opponents is vital. This lets you figure out where you’re needing to go while not letting them set your path for you.
To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. The International standard line, as well as college and high school lines are all closer. Putting in the shot from the NBA distance will give you an advantage over defenders who are not expecting it.
Landing with a wide stance after catching a rebound will make it easier for you to retain you balance. You want to bring the ball tight into your body with both hands. Watch your elbows; a foul will be called if you hit a member of the other team.
When catching a rebound, be sure to land with legs that are spread wider than your shoulder span, to help keep your balance. Keep your hands on either side of the ball and hold it tight to your chest. Make sure you don’t hit anyone else with your elbows.
If you’ve studied the opposing team and found one player isn’t as good with one hand as with the other, try to make that player use his off hand. If they are right handed, step towards them with your left foot so they have to switch sides. Keep your head parallel to their chest and be ready to take away the ball.
Positioning is key in picking up an essential rebound. If you need to get up with power, use the strength of both legs when you jump and both arms to grab the ball. Once you have the basketball, land with wide feet that will help you keep your balance.
Use the various techniques discussed in this article during your next ball game. You will begin to see a little improvement at a time. This plan will be successful.
If you notice that a player is weaker with one hand, put them in a situation where they will have to use that hand. If they’re usually strong with their right hand, step near them using the left foot so that they need to switch sides. Keep your center of gravity low at all times so that your chance to steal the ball remains high at all times.
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