Get Better At Basketball By Following These Tips!

by | Mar 4, 2022 | Basketball

TIP! Watch your form while you dribble the ball. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

Whether you’re someone who wishes to play basketball for a living or if you just like to watch it, you need some information if the game is to be enjoyed. Don’t know the score? Don’t worry, you’ll get there. Basketball is not the easiest game to learn but you can do it. Keep reading to learn more about this wonderful game.

TIP! It is important to keep your balance when you shoot. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Basketball games are often won by the defense. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.

TIP! Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Almost 80% of shots will be layups.

Watch your form while you dribble the ball. Avoid using your palm while dribbling. Instead, use your fingertips. This helps you to control the ball better. Bounce only at the level of your waist at the side and not in front. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! Practice your pass catching often. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. Keep dribbling the ball even while you’re doing your errands. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.

TIP! If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play.

Practice your layup shot often. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball. When you practice, run toward the net, and then get a high jump in so you can smoothly shoot. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.

TIP! Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This keeps it under control.

Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.

TIP! Speed is everything in basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast.

Need to dupe the opposition? Trick them using a back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. The next step is pull the basketball behind the back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. This helps trick your opponents.

TIP! If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better.

Play by yourself to practice. Many times you are unable to find people to play with. Don’t fret! Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. There are many things you can work on.

TIP! Create a routine to improve your free throw success. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off.

Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Once you find a spot, you need to know how to defend it. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.

TIP! An excellent way to have proper defensive posture is to remain in the correct stance. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot.

Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. Keep your palm off the ball, too. You should only let the fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

TIP! If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina.

If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

TIP! Here is how you can change a normal two-three zone to become a trapping machine. You will need for the top two guards to wait until the time when the point guard is approximately 10 feet beyond the midcourt.

Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. If you find it difficult to continue using your weak hand, make your strong hand unusable. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.

TIP! Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand.

If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Take them out of their own comfort zone. The more aggressive you are the better. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. If you let them, you’ll be at their mercy. You should make the initial move and throw them off.

TIP! When you dribble while playing basketball, focus on bending your knees. Standing straight will make you see that it’s harder to handle and easier for the opposing players to take.

Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling. Don’t ever believe you’re going to be able to stand still, receive a pass and take a shot. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.

Peripheral Vision

TIP! Do not stop dribbling unless you’re going to shoot or pass. You are limited once you cease dribbling.

Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Great peripheral vision is an asset. If you look across the whole game and not just focus on the ball, you can see oncoming defensive pressure in advance, as well as open teammates.

TIP! Communicating with your teammates is a vital part of being a good basketball player. Basketball requires a team.

Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Since you have now expanded your basketball knowledge, you will be well aware of the joy that can be gained from the game. Use the tips here to make your game better, or simply fix the picture on your television so you can better see the pros in action.