If being a great basketball player is something you have wanted, you surely realize the commitment it requires. But even if you’re just play basketball for the fun of it, you would like to be better at it, wouldn’t you? Reading the information here should help you make some improvements in your future basketball games.
Make sure to practice catching passes. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. By learning to catch errant passes, you will do your team a great favor.
Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. You must do it fast for best success. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.
Do not practice solely against zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.
In order to be a great shooter, good balance is key. Even though a professional can hit all sorts of crazy off-balance shots, it is not the ideal method of shooting that you want to learn. They are not doing it right. By focusing on balance in your shot, you will develop the consistency needed to be a great scorer.
Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try the back pass. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. This will trick your opponents.
Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.
Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level. Ensure that you line up your shoulders so that they are squared with the basketball net. Try to line your dominant shoulder up with the rim.
Don’t limit your practice to just playing against the zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. You may lose control of the game if you aren’t prepared.
When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.
Don’t play while injured or else your injury will worsen. This sport is physically demanding and you can become injured. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.
Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage. To increase your quickness, you must practice playing fast while running drills. Just don’t play any faster than you’re able to. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.
Practice passing while looking another way. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. 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. If this is pulled off, then it usually has good results.
Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. The ball will be turned over on a walking call if too many steps are taken with no dribble action. You may get a foul call if you move your foot while you are attempting to take a charge, pick a charge or set a screen.
Dribble hard if you don’t want the ball taken from you. A hard dribble returns the ball back to you faster, leaving less chance of it being snatched by the other team. If you are being guarded closely, halt your dribble and pass to an open teammate.
Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Be honest with yourself, but avoid being too critical. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.
Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.
Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back. Mastering this skill will provide you with a major advantage on the court.
Take charges whenever you have the opportunity. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.
Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off. In order to make your free throw perfect, you’ll need to practice the shot many times and get into a routine. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.
You’ll want to use the hand that you aren’t dribbling with as a barrier to protect the ball. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it. Keep is slightly up as you dribble with your other hand.
If you want to better your dribble, start practicing with your weaker hand. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.
Be sure you’re doing the right kinds of exercises off the court to help you on it. Sprinting exercises can help you to become faster, while running for long distances can assist you in making it through the whole game. To play more physically, lift weights to make yourself a more dominating presence. You will be able to shoot well with this confidence and aggression.
If you wish to get a free throw rebound from a teammate, you have to stay on your toes properly. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. This allows you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
Practice rhythmic dribbling up until the point you wish to shake an opposing player. You can surprise the opponent by changing up your dribbling. The change of sound and speed can confuse the opponent.
Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This may seem quite difficult at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length. That translates to smooth layups during fast breaks.
Make sure you practice shooting all over the court. Start out by practicing grip and balance. Off-balance shooting is possible but much less accurate. The basketball’s valve can improve your grip. Using your dominant hand, grip the ball with wide-spread fingers. Be sure that the center portion of your hand is covering the air valve located at the basketball’s center.
To turn a normal 2-3 zone into a trapping machine, have your top two defenders (your guards) wait until the point guard has come about ten feet past the time line (midcourt). 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. You will see the opposing point guard make a bad pass that anyone on your team can steal.
If you know that the person with the ball is weak with one hand, force them to use it. Make them use the hand that their weaker with by cutting off the path on their strong side. Keep your head inline with their shoulders, that way you will be low, and in a good position to take the ball.
Use the various techniques discussed in this article during your next ball game. You’ll get better a little bit at a time if you keep the tips here in mind and practice them as well. This plan will be successful.
Part of being a great basketball player is knowing when it is time to give the ball to someone else. It’s better to assist a goal, than the team to lose a play.
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