Do you like the sport of basketball but feel as though you do not know too much about it? You are not alone. There are lots of people that play basketball and many more who are in awe of what the professionals do. The following article will give you tips used by pros.
Keep your head up when you dribble. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. Take the basketball to all the places that you go. Practice in your home and wherever you walk. If you are looking at the ball, you cannot see what is happening down the court in front of you.
Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. When you don’t know how to defeat it, you will lose.
Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try doing what is known as a back pass. Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. Then, put the ball around your back. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This will confuse the opposition.
Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Are you great at any one thing? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.
In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. Know which players are left and right handed. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.
When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.
If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.
Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. This will confuse your opponents. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. It can be a really powerful move in the game.
If you want to better your dribble, start practicing with your weaker hand. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands. If you find it difficult to continue using your weak hand, make your strong hand unusable. You will quickly strengthen your non-dominant hand for dribbling.
Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.
Bend the knees when you dribble a basketball. Standing straight up lessens your ability to control the ball and increases the chances that it will be stolen. Your ball control will improve dramatically by simply bending a little at the knees.
You need to practice many types of shots on the basketball court. Practice your grip and proper balance. You can shoot off balance, but it’s not very accurate. You can perfect your grip on the ball by using the valve. Cover the valve with your palm, and spread your fingers around the ball.
If you’re determined to do good at basketball, then you have to watch your diet. When you play regularly, you need plenty of carbs for more energy, along with protein and fats. One way to keep your body in basketball shape is to incorporated grains and proteins into your diet. Avoid using excessive sugar and salt.
Make sure your team really meshes together off and on the court. Basketball teams can achieve greatness when the whole team blends cohesively. If you get to know and trust your teammates, you’ll see that your game will reach untold levels of excellence!
As you hit the ground after catching a rebound, improve your balance by spreading your legs wider than your shoulder span as you land. Keep your hands along any side and hold it up to your chest tightly. Watch your elbows since hitting an opposing player is a foul.
Make your opponent dribble with their weak hand. If that player is right-handed, move in the player’s direction on your left foot. This will force the player to switch hands. Have your head parallel with their chest so that your body is low and ready to grab the ball.
You should try to remain calm while you are shooting. The basket should be the your main focus. Remember to shift your eyes so they watch the rim’s back as you shoot. With a lay-up, focus your attention on the backboard and how the shot will bank off into the basket.
It is important to know what to do when the ball comes to you. Should you shoot it or pass it? Instead of hogging the ball and losing the game when you fail to make the shot, be a team player and pass it off to the player who has the better chance to make the winning shot.
You likely didn’t know much about basketball previously. After reading this article you are now well-educated on the sport. Use this advice the next time you’re playing a game of basketball.