Best Tips On Becoming A Great Basketball Player

by | May 11, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! Dribble the ball correctly. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Basketball is world wide passion. You can enjoy a good pickup game or the challenges of playing on a real team. Use this article to learn more about basketball fundamentals.

TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more. You can practice dribbling almost anywhere. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. By looking forward instead of at the basketball, you are able to see the happenings on the court.

TIP! Balance is important when shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense.

Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. You will see that each great player has certain skills that make him great and you can practice what you see him doing.

TIP! You should learn the best way to throw a great bounce pass. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level.

You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.

TIP! Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you.

Play by yourself to practice. There are times you may not find anyone to play with you. Don’t fret! Solo games also help. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. Can you get better at something? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed.

Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. It can be frustrating to attempt to pass the ball to a team mate as that person is heading toward the basket. All of this confusion can be remedied through the use of hand signals when a player is opened. If they don’t signal, don’t pass to them.

TIP! Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it.

One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.

TIP! To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand.

In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Don’t allow yourself to have your palm touching the ball either. Your fingers should be all that is holding the ball when you pass it or shoot it.

TIP! A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. Inconsistent shooting will lead to inconsistent results.

Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. If you want the advantage, you’ve got more quickly. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play faster. Though, you should never attempt to a play faster game than your abilities permit. This can cause you to get out of control and make careless mistakes.

TIP! Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle.

The best free throws come as a result of routine. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! Strength training can improve your game. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy.

To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.

TIP! Keep low when you play defense. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. If you have somebody guarding you very closely, pass the ball to an open teammate.

TIP! You can use your guards and point guard to trap an opponent with a 2-3 zone defense. At this point, your guards must rush the point guard thus trapping him.

Be sure your vision is unobstructed. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Peripheral vision must be razor-honed. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.

TIP! Make sure you don’t pick up your dribble unless you are prepared for a shot or pass. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will then straighten their own body. Use this opportunity to sprint past your opponent.

TIP! You should never double dribble. That happens when you stop one time, and start again in a few seconds.

You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. 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. This will show in your next match.

TIP! Having good positioning on the court when trying to grab a rebound will help you keep the ball. Use both feet to jump with power and balance, and use both hands to grab the ball.

When dribbling, bend your knees. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well. Bending your knees slightly will improve your overall ability to control the ball.

TIP! If a team plays a good zone defense you can beat them with a penetrating dribble. Once you split through the defense and penetrate into the key, you force the other team to commit away from your teammates.

Keep the lines of communication with other players open. Basketball involves playing on a team. This means you can’t plan your strategy without taking your teammates into account. You all help each other out. If you communicate your wishes before you go out on the court, the team will work better as a unit.

TIP! Be aware of your shortcomings as a player. Be honest with yourself.

Practice shots from all regions of the court. Start by practicing grip and balance. It is possible to make a shot when your balance is off, but it is a lot less likely. Get a better grip on the ball by using the valve. Center your dominant hand over the valve, and spread your fingers out from there.

TIP! Have a solid plan when carrying out your workout routine. A lot of players go to practice with no plan.

Now you should know how to be a better basketball player. It isn’t really that hard if you do the work and know what goes into it. Begin playing and before you know it, you will be playing every day. Start having some fun!