Basketballs is indeed an exciting, fast-paced sport that many people enjoy. However, if you want to do your best, there are some pointers you need. You can read the tips below to better your skills.
Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.
When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Dribble as you walk down the street. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.
Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.
Don’t dribble during your drills. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.
You can learn to trick the opposing team. Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Pull it behind you. After determining which direction you want the ball to go, use a quick flick of your wrist to send it that way. This is a good way to trick your opponents.
Play by yourself to practice. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. That’s OK! You are able to do a lot with solo games. Practice free throws and layups. There are many things you can work on.
If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. This will involve their lower back, hips, and abs. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. A strong, sturdy core allows force from the legs to fuel movements like running and jumping.
Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. Do you have an area where you excel? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.
Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you will be unable to make the shot. Your shoulders should always be square towards the basket. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up with the rim.
Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn. 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.
The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Don’t let them get comfortable. When making a move, be aggressive. Do not allow them to choose the plays that they make. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. Force them to act and their rhythm will get disrupted.
You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. Don’t assume that you are able to just stand anywhere, catch the ball and shoot it. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.
Be sure you’re doing the right kinds of exercises off the court to help you on it. Running sprints can make you faster on individual plays, while long-distance running helps you make it through a game with good stamina. Resistance training or weightlifting builds better muscles for shots. You will be able to shoot well with this confidence and aggression.
Control your nerves. The basket should be the your main focus. Your eyes should fix a point behind the rim while you shoot. If you are not doing a lay-up, it is best to look at the area from which the ball should bank off.
Always keep an eye on the basketball, whether it’s under control of your teammate or your opponent. A crucial part of the game is being able to rebound the ball. It does not matter how well you defend when the opponent takes a shot and misses, if you cannot get the ball back.
Learning to pivot is important when playing basketball. Practice your footwork until you aren’t even aware of what you are doing. Practice this stance until you get really fast at pivoting with the ball.
For more advanced players, dribbling is mental and physical. The position of your feet and legs affects the speed and power you put behind the ball as well as where it lands. Keep your body moving in various rhythms to keep your opponent guessing.
Basketball is a sport that is enjoyed around the globe. You also know that it is vital to learn all you can about basketball in order to excel. Use these tips to play the game better than you ever thought possible.