How To Become Great At Playing Basketball

by | Jan 16, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! Get good at making free throws. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult.

Have you imagined you were LeBron James, Michael Jordan or another celeb on the court? Instead of just aspiring to be a great, why not continue to learn more techniques and strategies that can help you out. You’ll find a lot of useful advice in this article.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Dribble to the side of your body rather than directly in front of you, bouncing at waist level. Do not look at the ground; look up at all times.

TIP! Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? How about the behind the back pass? Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back.

Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.

TIP! To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction.

Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard. These players are using creative improvisation. You need to maintain good balance while shooting, which is sure to produce greater consistency.

TIP! A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers.

Practice catching passes often. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. During a hectic game, every throw is not going to be perfect. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

TIP! Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage.

Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.

TIP! To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot.

Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Exercise your abdominal muscles as well as those of the hips, buttocks and back. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

TIP! When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This throws your opponents off.

If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. When you’re in a shooting slump it usually means that your shoulders are not square to the hoop. To help improve your shot, focus on squaring up on each of your shots. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim.

Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Stay honest when you’re assessing yourself, but don’t over criticize yourself either. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.

TIP! To help make the offense flow better it is a good idea to alter the pace. Try to block the net by planting your foot hard.

When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.

TIP! Strength training can be a major help in basketball. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball.

Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. Things rarely happen unless you are actually moving the basketball.

TIP! To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve.

To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball. In this way you can get the rebound without a foul.

TIP! Practice dribbling by switching momentum. When you’re playing a game, you have to dribble when you’re in a lot of different situations.

Once you are in your defensive stance, remember to hold your ground. Shifting your weight back and forth between your feet will help you to stay in position. Stay low and make it hard for opponents to get around you.

TIP! Communication with your team mates is crucial to your overall success. Your actions and strategies must not be kept to yourself.

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. Then, they ought to trap the point guard. It also lets you have forwards on blocks sprint to the wing players. The point guard should throw up a pass that your forwards can easily steal.

TIP! Learn to control where your opponent can and can’t move. Whether you’re playing offense or defense, controlling what the other player does is essential.

In order to help develop your non-dominant hand, you should use that hand only when trying to open things, and also when brushing your teeth. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand. This is bound to carry over to the court.

TIP! Make sure you leap for a rebound while in control of your body, and try to land with balance, and you are more likely to end up with the ball. Use both feet when jumping; this improves both height and control.

Switching up your dribbling rhythm can really throw the defense off. Consistent dribbling followed by fast dribbling can confuse your opponent and put you in place for a shot. Perfecting this can make you nearly unstoppable on the court.

TIP! The best way to get through a zone defense is to penetrate with a controlled dribble. Getting past your defender and in the lane will make the other team collapse on the basketball or shift.

Build your team up at all times. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another. If you feel like you know your teammates like the back of your hand, and you trust them too, then you’ll see your game lifted to new heights!

TIP! Develop a written workout record. A lot of players head to the gym without a plan.

Now you have some things you can work on to improve your game. It’s important to practice regularly and be confident with what you are doing. Show others that you have skills and keep the things that you went over here in mind at all times.