Basketball Tips You Will Not Find Elsewhere

by | Apr 8, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand.

Dedication is key to becoming a better basketball player. Whether you’re playing for fun or for a team, you probably would like to be a good player. This article will help you, and you can make improvements on the court.

TIP! One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately.

Learn proper dribbling. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This provides you with much more ball control. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Always look upwards, never at the ground.

TIP! Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? You should try a back pass. Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass.

Focus on your strengths to get better at basketball. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!

TIP! When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups. When practicing this technique, run toward the goal and shoot. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs.

Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. Playing basketball without dribbling is very challenging, but your entire team will quickly improve their passing skills. Don’t get too frustrated if you’re having a hard time when you start because after a while passes are going to be more accurate.

TIP! Work on core strength when you work out. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly.

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.

TIP! If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position.

Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.

TIP! Where are your feet? Out of bounds will happen with even one toe over the baseline of the lined play area on the court. Not dribbling when you take more than a few steps will result in a walking call as well as a forfeit of the ball.

Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. If you move either foot while trying to pick, take a charge or set a screen, it will result in a called foul.

TIP! Strength training can be a major help in basketball. In order to play well, you will need to work on both your strength and stamina.

Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.

TIP! If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you.

You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. You should work on your free throw techniques as much as possible until they become a second nature. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.

TIP! When dribbling, use your other arm to create a wall between you and your opponent. You don’t need to be shoving the opponents, but you’re able to keep them away by using the arm that isn’t dribbling as a separator.

You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so try to slip by them to obtain the ball. This allows you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.

Take every charge you can. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul. This can make for good psychological warfare.

TIP! Make sure you practice shooting all over the court. Begin with practicing your grip and balance.

Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. You should push and get past them as they straighten themselves.

TIP! 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.

When you are defending, keep your stance low. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Maintain this low stance with arms raised until a shot or high pass is made. When you must break from your stance in order to block shots, make sure to return to form right away.

TIP! The position you take just before and just after getting a rebound will play a large role in whether you can retain possession. Use both feet to jump and then get the ball using both hands.

You should always bend your knees while dribbling. Standing straight makes it hard to control the ball. Some minor bending of the knees makes a big difference in your ability to control the ball.

TIP! When you know an opponent’s weak side, try to get them working mostly from that side. For example, take a step to your right to force a right-handed player to step out of his or her comfort zone.

Try to practice a dribble while switching momentum from side to side. During game time, you’ll find yourself dribbling from all sorts of positions. It would be great if you are always able to go full speed ahead, but more times than not you will need to move and flow with the defense in front of you. You must know how to dribble the ball no matter what your body is doing. This allows you to get yourself out of a tough spot.

TIP! Manage your nerves whenever you shoot. It’s important to focus.

Do exercises that will assist you in becoming a better player. Sprinting will help you develop speed, while running long distances will help you develop great stamina. Strength training helps, too. The confidence and adrenaline that builds don’t hurt either.

TIP! The best way to get through a zone defense is to penetrate with a controlled dribble. If you get around a defender and make it to the shooting lane, the defenders will either break their defense or converge on the ball.

It is time for you to take the tips here and put them into action. Taking what you’ve learned here and applying it to your game is how to eventually see progress as you practice all these new tips. Before you know it, you will be a superior player.