The Best Basketball Advice You Will Read

by | Apr 12, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

The sport of basketball is extremely popular. No matter if you prefer to watch games on television, play in a pick-up game on weekends or shoot baskets in the driveway, you likely know that basketball isn’t going anywhere. If you enjoy playing the game, you can enjoy it even more if you improve your skills. Read these ideas to help move your game up a notch. A sport played well is more fun than one you struggle with.

TIP! If you handle the ball often, you need to learn how to do a crossover. This technique passes the ball back and forth from the right hand to the left hand.

Learn the mechanics of a free throw. This is one of those shots that seem easy but in real life are difficult. You should practice as often as possible with this technique. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. When you shoot, keep the visualized trajectory in mind.

TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. You will see that each great player has certain skills that make him great and you can practice what you see him doing.

TIP! You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes.

Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

TIP! Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals.

Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Make use of the back pass. To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand. Now hold the ball behind you. And last, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This should make it easy to trick the other team.

Free Throws

TIP! One good way to always be ready for whatever happens on the court is to never turn your back on the ball. Passes and turnovers won’t take you by surprise because you will be more aware of what is happening on the court.

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. This is just fine. It is possible to get a lot done even when playing alone. Work on free throws and pivot moves. You can always practice.

TIP! Speed is a key attribute in the game of basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game.

When avoiding errant passes, use hand signals. One of the more frustrating aspects of basketball is making a pass to a teammate at the same time they head to the basket. Hand signals help ensure that the player is ready to take the ball. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.

TIP! Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim.

See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Do you have an area where you excel? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. You can learn a lot about your skills by knowing how others see you on the court.

TIP! Don’t leave your defensive stance. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. Also, this will improve your balance as you approach the basket.

TIP! Keep dribbling until it is time to shoot or pass the ball. When you cease dribbling, you’re really limiting your options.

To be a strong defender, you must have the ability to disrupt and interfere with the opponents’ plans. Force them away from their comfort zone. Stay aggressive. Don’t let your opponent decide their own plays. If you let them, you’ll be at their mercy. Instead, take the initiative and disrupt their rhythm.

TIP! 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.

If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you. If you are being guarded closely, bring your dribbling to an end and pass the ball to another open team member.

TIP! Make sure that you are exercising properly for basketball. For example, you can improve individual plays with sprinting.

Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. You will need to learn how to push the basketball in front of you while making long strides. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.

TIP! Keep your dribbling in a rhythm until you want to throw your opponent off guard. A consistent dribbling broken up by a fast paced dribble can surprise your opponent and give you a major edge for a shot.

When you are on the defense, the key is to stay as low as you can. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Stay in a defensive stance. If you need to block someone’s shot, quickly get back into your stance.

TIP! A missed shot from the corner of the basketball court will usually go to the opposite side. Anticipate where the ball lands and grab the rebound.

Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. You’ll find it becomes more controllable. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.

TIP! Make strong team environments off and on the court. When a basketball team gels fully, their game can reach entirely new heights.

There are many things you can do to improve your moves. Many are simple, like learning a concept and practicing it over and over. Practice is really the secret to becoming a master of anything, so be sure you have a hoop, ball and free time available regularly. Whether you are practicing to play competitively or just for fun, the information in this article will improve your game.