If you’ve ever dreamed of being a great basketball player, you should be aware that it will take lots of practice and dedication. Even if you just play for fun, you want to be good right? You can gain valuable knowledge when you read this article.
Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing. Bring the basketball with you everywhere you go. Dribble the ball as you go about your day doing errands like walking the dog. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.
Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.
If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player. Find you best position and then refine it until you are unbeatable.
Make sure to practice catching passes. When practicing make sure you drill yourself to catch errant throws as well as picture perfect passes. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.
Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. Practice running while dribbling, jumping and shooting as smoothly as you can. Knowing how to run and jump quickly and smoothly will assist you in knowing how to leap and shoot more effectively while playing.
If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.
Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Relax yourself and concentrate on your shot.
Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Try doing what is known as a back pass. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand. Next, place the ball behind you. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. This should be helpful in tricking them team.
Work on catching passes frequently. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. Help your teammates by learning what you need to haul in those imperfect passes.
Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Practicing your footwork is important to master these skills.
You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove. The accuracy of passes will greatly improve over time and the drill will become a lot easier.
Never play through an injury on the court. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. If the pain is bad, visit a doctor.
When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. There are times you may not find anyone to play with you. No problem. There’s still a lot that you can do playing on your own. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. You can always practice something.
You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it. You should avoid having your palm touching the ball. You should only let the fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.
If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles. The core is what holds the body in balance and allows the limbs to work well. A strong and solid core allows force that is generated via the legs to be used for helpful movements during the game like higher jumps and faster running.
When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Strengthen you back muscles along with abs, hips and buttocks. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.
When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.
If you find yourself unable to shoot well, consider your shoulders. You won’t be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren’t in the right position. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.
To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This gives you better control of the ball. Your palm should not be touching the ball. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.
Free Throw
Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed. It is important that your assessment is an honest one, but isn’t overly critical. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.
To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, you won’t have any trouble having your body memorize what you’re doing.
Can you see well? This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Try making your peripheral vision the best it can be. By seeing the court well, you can anticipate defensive moves as well as what all your teammates are doing. Good vision is vital to basketball success.
Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. So, your left foot should be the one you take off from if you use your right hand to shoot. This will allow you to be more balanced while moving closer to the basket while keeping your body between the defender and you.
If you are in a defensive position, keep yourself low. This helps your reaction time against your opponent. Always maintain a defensive position during game play. You should return to this position immediately after leaving it to block or defend.
You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.
If you want to make a 2-3 zone into something special, have the guards remain put until the opposing team’s guard makes their way about ten feet in from mid-court. The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap. Have forwards sprint to players on the wing. This will likely cause the point guard to make a high, short pass, which your forwards will steal quite easily.
A good way to develop ball handling skills is to make your forearms and hands stronger. Consider wrist curls and and exercise machine that focuses on strengthening each finger individually. Do not remain in one place. It’s not likely that you will be able to successfully catch and shoot without moving. Your ability to handle the ball will affect your success on the court.
Use the non-dribbling hand to create a buffer between the ball and your opposition. You don’t want to be pushing any of your opponents (that’s a foul), but you can use that non-dribbling arm as a separator to keep the ball safe. Keep this hand up as you’re dribbling the ball with the other.
When dibbling the ball, bend your knees. It makes it much easier to control the ball while dribbling as opposed to standing straight up, which makes controlling the ball much harder. A bit of a bend will boost your control.
Foster a positive relationship with your team members regardless of whether you are playing or practicing. Basketball is best played with a team which works well together. If you think you know each of your teammates really well and trust them, then your game improve, and theirs too.
In order to be a more effective player, one thing you have to do is talk to teammates about strategies. Basketball is nothing if not a team sport. Neither defense nor offense is a one-on-one matter. You all help each other out. Talk to them and let them know you need help and you will all play better.
If you are aware that the player with the ball has a weak hand, force the use of that hand. If they are right handed, step towards them with your left foot so they have to switch sides. Bend down so that your head is level with the opponent’s chest. This puts you in position to steal the ball.
Where you are before and following a rebound is going to mean the difference between possessing the ball or giving it to the other team. Improve your balance a power by using both feet to jump and use both hands to grab the ball. Following a rebound, land with feet spread wider apart than shoulder width. In this way, you can stay balanced and hold the ball close.
When guarding a player who exceeds you in size, attempt to stay in between that player and the one with the ball. Keeping your body in position will prevent them from getting a pass or being in position to shoot.
Now that you are done reading this article, it’s time to put these tips into practice. You will soon become a better player if you apply the tips you just read in this article. These steps will guarantee your improvement.
Focus on the ball and where it is going. This can help you grab rebounds and intercept passes. If you are unable to rebound, it doesn’t matter how good you are at defense.
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