Even the best professional doesn’t know everything about basketball. It’s important to know the basics and keep up with changes. Give yourself a leg up on the competition. Read on to give you an edge over the competition.
Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team. Realize your limitations, and roll with your talents.
If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. The core links the upper and lower extremities and without a strong one, their athletic performance will be limited. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.
Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way. Keep your palm off the ball too. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.
When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Strengthen you back muscles along with abs, hips and buttocks. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.
Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage. Steady drilling is the key to playing fast. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. Doing so can cause the game to spin out of control as turnovers and faulty passes are made.
Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. If you have the ball and you step outside the baseline, then you’re out of bounds. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.
Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Be honest when assessing, but avoid being overly critical. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.
Make layups count by taking off with the foot that is opposite to your shooting hand. If you use your right hand to shoot, use your left foot to take off. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.
Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking. Don’t stay stopped; always move around the court. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.
Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.
Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot. Don’t forget not to cross your feet, and you won’t be easy to get around.
To help make the offense flow better it is a good idea to alter the pace. Sprint towards the hoop then quickly plant your foot, then straighten up. This will make the guard think you’re slowing down, then they will straighten their body too. Once that happens, switch tactics and move forward. You should go right past them.
If you wish to do better a shooting three pointers, you should do it from where NBA players shoot from. The standard line , high school and college lines are all going to be closer. You are less likely to be guarded, the farther you are from the basket.
You can improve your shooting skills by practicing with shots from different spots on the court. Taking quick shots during practice will help you during the game when the pressure is on. Only lift your head up to check out the target once you are in the air. This can help you simulate the conditions of the game and also helps you improve accuracy.
Don’t just practice while static; try to move around while shifting your weight to learn how to best control the ball. Games require you to be able to dribble under all types of conditions. It is likely that you will be fending off two or more players from the opposing team. You’ll need to learn how to dribble while your body is leaning in different directions. This allows you to get yourself out of a tough spot.
Keep the lines of communication with other players open. A good basketball team consists of players who understand that this is not an individual sport. Playing with the same teammates often helps you understand what they are thinking. The whole team has to work together. Talk to your teammates when you need help, so that you’re all on the same page.
Build a sense of teamwork both off and on the court. A cohesive team is an effective team, and basketball teams are no exception. That means knowing each players strengths and weaknesses and trusting them.
Hopefully you’re able to be more confident about playing a game of basketball after reading through the tips above. Applying these tips will help you improve. Keep learning and practicing. You can get started with taking your game farther by remembering all you have read.