How To Become Great At Playing Basketball

by | Apr 4, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. You will notice great skills from different players that you can practice.

Whether you are a player or a spectator, it is important to understand the fundamentals of the game. Are you lost? Don’t worry, you can become a better basketball player. Basketball is a very simple game that is very enjoyable. These tips will give you a good start in becoming a skilled player.

TIP! If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot.

Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover. It should be done quickly. A good crossover dribble can give you the opportunity to switch directions and progress on the court much faster.

TIP! Practice basketball in season and out of season. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team.

Improving your balance means improving your shots. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. They’re just improvising at this point. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.

Bounce Pass

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

Teach yourself how a bounce pass can be properly thrown. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level. Bounce it 3/4 of the distance to the receiver. It does depend on a variety of other factors, however.

TIP! Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Stay honest when you’re assessing yourself, but don’t over criticize yourself either.

There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Relax yourself and concentrate on your shot.

TIP! If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it.

Work on catching passes frequently. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Help your teammates by learning what you need to haul in those imperfect passes.

TIP! To maximize your layups, take off with the foot that opposes your shooting hand. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot.

One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. That means their hips, lower back and abs. These muscles form a bridge across the lower and upper parts of your body. When the core is weak, it is difficult to coordinate the movements of both halves. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.

TIP! If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster.

In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot. Once you have a location, it is important that your feet are firmly planted there. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

TIP! Remain low when playing defense. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler.

Never play through an injury when playing basketball. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap.

Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes. You will want to keep extra attention on areas that could improve your position as well.

TIP! Practice rhythmic dribbling up until the point you wish to shake an opposing player. You can for instance suddenly speed up your dribbling to get past an opponent and get the edge you need for a shot.

In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. This will help you to be sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. You should avoid having your palm touching the ball. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

TIP! A corner shot often bounces to the opposite end of the court. If this is the case, you need to guess where it will end up and catch the rebound as a result.

You need to be quick to play good basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast. Regular drilling will increase your speed. However, don’t try and push past your limits. Playing beyond your speed can result in bad passes and excessive turnovers.

TIP! Try to alter the path of your opponent. Whether you are playing offense or defense, it is important to control the moves of your opponent.

Watch your own recorded games, and look for weak areas. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself, but avoid being too critical. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.

TIP! When dribbling, you need to work on bouncing the ball quite hard. When you do this, the ball will move quickly and give a defender little time to try and snatch it from you.

Was that as difficult as you thought it would be? Given your newfound knowledge about the sport, you should see why so many enjoy playing and watching. Put the tips above to use in order to better your skills.