Dribbling In Circles? Use These Tips To Improve Your Basketball Skills!

by | Jun 18, 2023 | Basketball

Basketball is enjoyed around the world. Basketball players have a particular set of skills needed to win. If you want help to improve your skills, you should continue reading.

TIP! Free throws have a huge mental element to them. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail.

Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.

TIP! If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter.

If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

TIP! If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. One of the most challenging aspects is trying to send the ball to your teammate as they are going for the basket. You can avoid this by using hand signals if a player is able to take a pass. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.

TIP! If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs.

If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. Getting a great position under the goal is the most important. After establishing good position, you need to make sure you hold it. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.

TIP! Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected.

Focus on your footwork and core strength when working out. Your body will retain balance and move quicker when you have strong core muscles. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

TIP! Turning away from the ball can be a costly mistake in basketball. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way.

One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it.

Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Not dribbling when you take more than a few steps will result in a walking call as well as a forfeit of the ball. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.

TIP! When you work out, try focusing on building core strength and bettering your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable. Make assertive moves, keeping your opponent unsure of your next move. Which plays are made shouldn’t be up to them. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. To avoid this, stay aggressive and try to interrupt their thought patterns and rhythm.

TIP! If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer.

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand. This can make for good psychological warfare.

TIP! The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Force them into an uncomfortable zone.

Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. 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. When that happens, rush forward and power past them.

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball.

Always attempt to remain low when you are playing defense. Doing so improves your reaction time with regards to your opponents’ actions. Stay in a defensive stance. When you must break from your stance in order to block shots, make sure to return to form right away.

TIP! In order to ensure that you are always ready to defend, keep your stance at all times. Slide your feet to the sides or push off using the opposite foot to always be in position.

To trap someone in a 2-3 zone, get your guards to wait for the point guard to get about 10 feet past midcourt. Then your defending guards should encircle the point guard to trap him in place. Concurrently, have forwards go to the wings. This can cause the point guard to pass the ball in a way that your teammates can easily steal.

TIP! A powerful play called the trapping machine, is to have your guards wait for the point guard to come just past midcourt. Once your opponent is trapped, he will have no option but to make a pass.

Use the hand you aren’t dribbling with to keep the opponent away from the ball. You never want to push the opponent with your hand, but it is possible to use your free hand to secure the ball. Just make sure it is kept slightly up while you use the other hand to dribble.

TIP! Always bend the knees while dribbling. You will have a hard time controlling the ball if you always stand straight and opponents will be able to steal the ball.

Foster a positive relationship with your team members regardless of whether you are playing or practicing. Basketball is a sport that goes so much further when a team truly connects. When you know and trust your teammates, you can accomplish a lot more on the court.

Double Dribbling

TIP! Your exercise off the court needs to help your game. Running, both sprints and long distance, can help your game.

Avoid double dribbling. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling. Once you’ve stopped dribbling, you can only pass the ball or shoot the ball. You can’t start dribbling again. Doing so results in a turnover, which means the opposing team will get the ball.

TIP! You need to be able to alter your opponents path. This is an ability you need on both defense and offense, since you get to control where your opponent goes in either case.

Manage your nerves whenever you shoot. The basket should be the your main focus. Specifically, you should train you eyes to concentrate on the backside of the basket rim while you are making the shot. On a lay-up your eyes should instead be trained on the backboard to help you lay the ball off against.

TIP! Be sure not to double dribble. This occurs whenever you resume dribbling after a brief pause.

Anyone who plays basketball wants to hone certain skills to improve their game. After reading the advice here, you should know what needs to be done to improve your game. Keep these tips in mind during your next practice to improve your game.