No one would attempt to fix a car’s transmission without knowing how to do it. Great basketball players are not born that way, they work at being better players and continue to learn and practice. This article has many great expert basketball tips in it.
Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. By focusing your sight on the ball, you cannot be fully aware of your surroundings. Take your basketball everywhere. Dribble the ball while you’re walking around. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.
It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. The action must be very swift if it is to be successful. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.
It is important that you practice layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. This type of technique will translate well into actual game situations.
Do not only practice zone defense plays. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you could run afoul of the scoreboard very fast.
Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes. Try not to lose yourself in frustration if you do not master it immediately, with the more time that passes with you and your team practicing, the more accurate they will become.
Don’t pump a lot of iron if you wish to become a jump shooter. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.
Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. Whether you are passing or shooting the ball, your fingers are the only part of your hand that should be touching the ball.
Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. Know which players are left and right handed. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. A smart defensive player is a strong one.
Focus on your footwork and core strength when working out. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. As with boxing, you can increase footwork speed and dexterity by jumping rope.
If you find yourself unable to shoot well, consider your shoulders. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you will be unable to make the shot. Shoulders should be towards the hoop. If your right hand is your dominant hand, your right shoulder must be aligned with the rim. For left-handedness, the opposite is true.
If you wish to shoot free throws better, you have to have a routine that’s consistent. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate. Free throw shooting is best improved by lengthy sessions of repetitive practice. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.
If you wish to dribble the ball better, you have to start using your hand that’s considered the weak one. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Tie your dominant hand behind your back and force yourself only to use your weak hand. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!
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 have an opponent who is guarding you relentlessly, it is time to pass the ball.
To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. If you are able to become more dexterous in terms of your weaker hand in general life, you’re going to have better control of it. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.
You should always bend your knees while dribbling. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team. Bending your knees slightly can really make a difference in the way you control the ball.
When someone misses a corner shot, you can bet the ball bounces across the court. Pay attention to this as you prepare for a rebound.
Learn to control where your opponent can and can’t move. Whether you are playing defense or offense, you must be capable of controlling the directions of opposing players. This opens up passing lanes and shooting chances when you’re on offense and can help create turnovers when you’re on defense.
It is important to know what to do when the ball comes to you. Should you shoot it or pass it? Instead of hogging the ball and losing the game when you fail to make the shot, be a team player and pass it off to the player who has the better chance to make the winning shot.
When you master a skill, you will beam with pride in your accomplishments. One of these things is learning how to get better at basketball. Not only will you beginning more, but you’ll show your teammates how good you are.