Both fans of basketball and players alike love basketball season. Part of keeping your fans happy is giving them something to cheer about. Every teammate contributes, so taking time to figure out your skills can help you better your game. Start practicing today. These tips help you be on a winning team.
It is important that you practice layups. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.
Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members. You will notice that most basketball players have well-defined muscles that are not overdeveloped.
You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can still practice when playing alone. You can work on pivots and free throws. You can always find things to work on.
Always be aware of your feet. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass. Not dribbling when you take more than a few steps will result in a walking call as well as a forfeit 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.
If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage.
If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. If you want to perfect free throw shooting, pick a routine and repeat it continuously. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.
You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. You have to learn to move the ball if you want something to happen.
Good footwork will help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. Then you gain the ball without the foul.
Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. If you have somebody guarding you very closely, pass the ball to an open teammate.
A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. This will help you accomplish great layups on those fast breaks.
Only stop dribbling if you want to shoot or pass. The instant you stop the dribble, your options become limited. If you decide not to shoot a basket or pass the ball on, you are only allowed to pivot on the heal that is furthest back. This causes you to be wide open to some double teaming by the other team and increase your chances of having the ball stolen.
Try to contain the action to the area below your knees. This makes it more difficult for the opposing players to get control of the ball from you. You need to bend your knees to have this happen, but you will be able to move along the court fast because you’ll be throwing off your defenders.
Make sure your off-court exercise is appropriate to help your on-court game. Sprint running can help improve on-court speed, while distance running is sure to boost your stamina. Lift weights to build your power. The confidence this gives you will help you with your shooting.
Keep your dribbling consistent until the time you want to confuse your opponent. Consistent dribbling followed by fast dribbling can confuse your opponent and put you in place for a shot. Even a slight change in the sound the ball makes when you dribble can throw another player off balance.
Your diet is key to being a better player. Increase your intake of carbohydrates to boost energy levels. You should also consume protein and a limited amount of fat. You should eat more lean sources of protein, fruits and vegetables. Sugar gives quick bursts of energy, but you should eat it sparingly.
It is important to know what to do when the ball comes to you. Should you shoot it or pass it? When you assist, you are still winning the game.
Follow the path of the ball once it has left the hands of your teammate or the opposing player. Rebounds are very important in the game. Regardless of your defensive skills, missing rebounds will kill your chances of winning.
As you can tell from above, there are many ways to increase your skills. A better player has more fans and more applause. There is a part for everyone in basketball, from the players on the court to the fans in the stands. If you are a player, you need to give everything you have. The tips in this article can help you become an invaluable member of your basketball team.