The Best Basketball Advice You Will Read

by | Apr 5, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! Make sure to dribble properly. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand.

Surely you know that the greatest basketball stars had to practice and develop their skills. Even if it is just recreational, wouldn’t you prefer to be good at it? This article is sure to offer you advice on how you can improve your game.

TIP! Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball.

You should practice your crossovers a lot. This is when you switch hands while dribbling. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.

TIP! Don’t dribble during your drills. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes.

Focus on your strengths to get better at basketball. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team. You can also focus on your weaknesses if you know what they are.

TIP! Would you like to learn how to fool your opponent? Try doing what is known as a back pass. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand.

Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups. It’s critical to practice running towards the basket at full speed and following up with a good jump and smooth shot. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.

TIP! Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against.

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Relax and focus on your shot, and you can make it.

TIP! Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way.

Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Many times you are unable to find people to play with. This is perfectly acceptable. Solo games also help. You can work on pivots and free throws. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! If you wish to do free throw shots reliably, always do the exact same thing before making each shot. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable.

Build hand signals so passes are more successful. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. If your teammate misses your signal, then they may miss the ball as well and the other team could gain possession.

TIP! Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard.

To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. These skills require solid footwork.

TIP! Work on getting the ball down the length of a full court with five or fewer dribbles during drills. This can seem impossible, but if you do it, you’ll get incredible speed and length.

If your shooting is in a slump, take a look at your shoulders. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position. Keep your shoulders squared with the basket at all times. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! Make sure your vision is good. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting.

Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. It takes steady drilling to play fast. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. Playing beyond your own capabilities sends the game spinning past your ability to control it, and turnovers are bound to occur.

TIP! Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. You can shuffle your feet to either side, or push with your opposing foot, so you will be ready and in position.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better. Be honest when assessing, but avoid being overly critical. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

Free Throws

TIP! Defensive players need to stay low. This stance will keep you ready for whatever comes your way.

Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. For example, you might tug your ear, dribble three times, or flex your wrists. As long as you make it quick, if you have a consistent routine, your body will remember how to make those free throws after you go through your ritual.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap.

Make sure your vision is good. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. You want to be sure that your peripheral vision is at its best. You need to know the location of other players on the court in order to make good passes and avoid turnovers.

TIP! Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. The ball is harder to control dribbling when you stand up straight.

Mix things up offensively to keep the other team’s defense off-balance. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will then straighten their own body. As hes does, plow forward and run by him.

TIP! You’ll want to use the hand that you aren’t dribbling with as a barrier to protect the ball. This keeps your opponent from being able to steal the ball.

Now, you need to get going and use the advice and guidance found in this piece. As you work on your skills, they will improve bit by bit. Follow the 3-step plan for ensured success.