It’s not surprising that basketball is so popular. It’s a very exciting game. But, to really play it well, there are several things to keep in mind. This article will give you advice to assist you in becoming a better player.
It is important that you perfect dribbling the ball. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.
Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. Use fingertips to dribble. This allows you to control the ball much better while you dribble. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.
Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.
If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your skills might not make you an all-start every time out, but playing up your strengths makes you a great contributor. Ask others to help you identify your strengths and practice until you fully master these skills.
Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist. One thing you should do is always remember the ball should be bounced three quarters on its way towards the person you’re passing too. It does depend on a variety of other factors, however.
Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. This is the most popular shot in basketball. When practicing this technique, run toward the goal and shoot. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.
One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.
Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. Failure to prepare for this type of tactic makes you more vulnerable and hurts your team.
Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.
Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. That should not matter. Solo games also help. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. You can always do something.
You can learn to trick the opposing team. Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. This should should thoroughly fool your opponent.
Keep your eye on the ball. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court. You will want to keep extra attention on areas that could improve your position as well.
When avoiding errant passes, use hand signals. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court. Avoid this using hand signals to see if they can get the pass. If you don’t see a signal, try to find someone else to pass to.
Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. One simple thing to know before the game is if your opponent shoots with their right or left hand. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.
Don’t play while injured or else your injury will worsen. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Serious injuries may require medical attention.
Jumping Rope
One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position. Be sure to keep the shoulders squared up to the hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.
Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Give your hips, buttocks, back and stomach a workout. Jumping rope is a favorite amongst professionals when practicing. By jumping rope, you improve speed and footwork.
It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. 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.
One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail. Your shoulders should be facing the hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.
Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve. Look at how you did and judge yourself. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.
Develop and use a consistent routine for shooting free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. A great way to get better at free throws is to practice, practice and then practice the same routine some more. You will probably miss your shot if the routine you use is not perfect.
If you are being heavily guarded, a pass between your legs might help. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.
Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball. Do not remain in one place. It’s not likely that you will be able to successfully catch and shoot without moving. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.
Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Don’t ever believe you’re going to be able to stand still, receive a pass and take a shot. The best way to get into the flow of the game is to be in motion.
Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you. If someone is guarding you closely, stop dribbling and pass to someone else who is open on your team.
To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. Your defender will move towards you, so figure out how to slither past him and grab the ball. This will get you a rebound without having to commit a foul.
A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five. This seems an impossible feat when you start. By working on this drill regularly you develop speed and great, lengthy strides. This translates to simple layups, fast breaks or just a general increase in your team’s numbers.
A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. You will need to learn how to push the basketball in front of you while making long strides. You will find that it becomes easier to score and make layups.
If you are in a defensive position, keep yourself low. You will become faster and react faster. Remain in a good defensive stance always. If you need to block someone’s shot, quickly get back into your stance.
One way to increase your three-point skill is to practice at the NBA range. High school lines, International standard lines, and college lines are closer. You are less likely to be guarded, the farther you are from the basket.
Bend your knees when dribbling the basketball. If you are standing straight, you will have a harder time controlling the ball and your opponent will be able to steal it more easily. Bending your knees slightly can really make a difference in the way you control the ball.
Keep the action beneath your knees, if you can. In this way, opposing team members will have difficulty stealing the ball. Bend a little so you can keep the ball closer to the ground and move through the court as quickly as possible.
Keep dribbling when you’re going to switch the body’s momentum from side to side. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise. The court might be wide open, but you could just as easily be swarmed by many opponents. You must learn dribbling from all kinds of directions. Not being able to do this leaves you open for the ball to be stolen.
Keep a rhythm while dribbling to throw your opponents off. Consistent dribbling disrupted by a sudden, fast pace will surprise your opponent, giving you the advantage. In addition to the tempo change, the louder sound of your dribbling can catch them off guard as well.
Keep the ball below knee level if possible. Defenders will have a more difficult time stealing the ball. It will be necessary to bend over, but you should be able to get down the court faster.
Be sure not to double dribble. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling. Once you stop dribbling, you must shoot or pass the ball. You’re unable to restart that dribble again. That’s called a turnover, which will result in you having to hand over the ball to your opponent.
As you can see, people around the world love basketball. You need to know more than just the basics in order to play ball like a pro. These tips will ensure you grow as a player.
Try to stay calm as you shoot. The basket should be the your main focus. In particular, train your eyes to move to the back of the rim when you are shooting. When shooting layups, be sure you are using the backboard.
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