Get Better At Basketball By Following These Tips!

by | Jan 23, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Victory requires the ability to play defense.

There is no limit to the love that so many people feel for the sport of basketball. It combines skill, accuracy, excitement, and entertainment. When you want to master this game, practice is key. Be sure to attend carefully to this article to gain valuable knowledge.

TIP! It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

Get good at making free throws. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. You should practice as often as possible with this technique. Hold the ball level with your face. Have your eyes on your goal and picture your ball going into it. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups.

Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough. If you are just getting started, bring your ball with you everywhere. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. Paying attention to the ball means you’re not paying attention to the rest of the game.

TIP! A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover. The action must be very swift if it is to be successful. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles.

Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.

TIP! Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? The back pass is perfect for this. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. With that same hand, bring the ball around your back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. This will trick your opponents.

Core Muscles

TIP! Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. Gaining agility and speed will give you the upper hand when playing a game of basketball.

One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong core helps you jump higher and run faster.

TIP! If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? What are your your best skill areas? They may say you’re fast or that you share well. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

TIP! Practice passing while not looking in the direction of the pass. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents.

When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles. Give your hips, buttocks, back and stomach a workout. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. If you use both your hands to dribble, it is easier to control.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Be sure to keep the shoulders squared up to the hoop. Then, make sure that your shooting side is lined up directly to the rim.

TIP! Always maintain a defensive stance when you are trying to properly defend the goal. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position.

Quickness is a key skill in basketball. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. If you play too quickly, you lose control over the ball and the match.

TIP! Maintain a lower position as you play defense. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this.

To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. In no time, the weak hand will also be useful for dribbling.

TIP! Use the hand you are not dribbling with to keep your defender away from the ball. You don’t need to be shoving the opponents, but you’re able to keep them away by using the arm that isn’t dribbling as a separator.

You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Force them into an uncomfortable zone. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Do not let them call the shots. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. It’s important, then, to be aggressive and mess up their game rhythms.

TIP! Your diet plays a major role in your health and success on the basketball court. Basketball uses a lot of energy; therefore, it is important to fuel your body with lean protein and whole grains.

Developing your muscle strength and flexibility will make you a better basketball player. Stamina and physical strength are required for basketball excellence. Even smaller children can use fitness routines to build stronger arms and legs. When they become teenagers, they will be able to step up to weight work to become even stronger. As adults, it will be imperative to maintain a strength training routine.

TIP! If you notice that a player is weaker with one hand, put them in a situation where they will have to use that hand. If they are right handed, step towards them with your left foot so they have to switch sides.

When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier. Make sure you always maintain your defensive stance. When rebounding or blocking, you break the stance, but then you must get back in the stance quickly.

TIP! One of thing you should learn if you are going to be a good basketball player is how to pivot. Practice your footwork until you aren’t even aware of what you are doing.

Don’t stop dribbling until you are ready to pass or shoot. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. You leave the ball vulnerable to possible steal attempts and yourself open to being double teamed.

TIP! For more advanced players, ball dribbling involves mental and physical abilities alike. It is not only about bouncing the ball but the position, spin and speed of the ball in combination with your foot placement.

It is important that you remain in control of the ball despite which way your body is going. You will dribble during different situations. You might be swarmed by various opponents or get an open court. Learning to dribble effectively will help you in many different situations. In this way, you can escape all kinds of difficult situations.

TIP! Even more than other popular team sports, good communication is vital in basketball. This needs to be brought up during every team practice.

By using these insights and applying them to your own performance, you will create a stronger, more enjoyable team. Keep researching online and in print to keep up on the latest and greatest in basketball tips. Find out everything you can, and you can improve your game.