Learn How To Play Basketball Like The Pros!

by | May 11, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This term refers to switching the hand you use.

During basketball season, basketball consumes the lives of players and fans alike. It is important to make the games exciting for the spectators. Every team member has unique skills; find out what yours are and emphasize them to their maximum. These tips will help you improve your game.

TIP! It is important to keep your balance when you shoot. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques.

Dribble properly. Use fingertips to dribble. Using your fingers allows you to better control the basketball. Avoid dribbling in front of you and only dribble to the sides of your body. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.

TIP! Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot.

The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more. Take your basketball everywhere. Dribble as you walk to the market. Get used to looking up as you go so that you can focus your attention on the court and not on your hands and the ball.

Perfect Passes

TIP! Never practice only against the zone. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

Frequent pass catching practice is important. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. You can do the rest of your team a favor by practicing how you can best complete imperfect passes.

TIP! When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. Don’t worry! There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Practice pivoting or doing free throws. You can always hone your skills when practicing alone.

TIP! Play by yourself to practice. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with.

In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. Although it’s important to have a physical presence underneath the basket, it’s more important that you get in a good place before your opponent can. Once you’ve reached a good spot, you need to secure it. The key to this relies on having good footwork.

TIP! Never play through an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is very challenging physically, and this can cause further serious injury.

Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Avoid putting your palm on the ball, too. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

TIP! Using your weak hand to brush your teeth can help you build skills with that hand. If you’re able to do more with your other hand daily, you can start controlling it better.

Understand your opponent. Pay attention to how they play. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.

Free Throws

TIP! Keep dribbling until you’re ready to either pass or shoot. You do not have many options after you stop dribbling.

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. Free throw shooting is best improved by lengthy sessions of repetitive practice. If you alter your routine then chances are the shot will not be good.

TIP! If possible, keep the ball below your knees. This will lower the chances of your opponent being able to steal the ball.

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. Taking a charge allows you a chance to earn a defensive stop, take the ball for your team, and sets up one more foul against the opponent. This is a great way to take control of the court and intimidate the other team.

TIP! Your exercise off the court needs to help your game. Running sprints can make you faster on individual plays, while long-distance running helps you make it through a game with good stamina.

To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. Being more dexterous means you will have better control. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.

TIP! When you’re getting down after catching the rebound, you should come down with spread out legs so that they’re wider than your shoulders to get good balance. Keep the ball to your chest and hold it with two hands.

Only stop dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass the ball. You have few options remaining to you after you stop dribbling. Your only option, besides shooting or passing, is to use your back foot to pivot. This will leave you open for double teaming from opponents and you may lose control of the ball.

TIP! Try to calm your nerves in order to become a top-notch scorer. Stay focused on the hoop.

Try different shots from different places on the basketball court. The first thing you should do is practice your grip and balance. Shooting when off-balance isn’t impossible, but it isn’t effective either. The basketball’s air valve can be used to aid in perfecting your grip. Put the middle of your shooting hand over the basketball’s valve.

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Anticipate where the ball will go. For instance, corner shots usually bounce off the rim, ending up on the opposite side. Attempt to catch the resulting rebound by watching the angle from which it was shot.

TIP! Being a good passer is key to being a good basketball player. Good passing helps beat your opponent.

When rebounding, hit the floor with your legs wide apart. Hold the ball next to your chest with your hand on either side. Watch your elbows; a foul will be called if you hit a member of the other team.

TIP! Develop a written workout record. Many players go to the gym with no plan.

You need to control your nerves when shooting the ball. Stay focused on the net. In particular, train your eyes to move to the back of the rim when you are shooting. When you are going all in for a lay-up, focus your vision on the backboard you will be banking the basketball off of.

TIP! For more advanced players, ball dribbling involves mental and physical abilities alike. You will be able to control how hard it’s hitting, where it’s going to land near your feet, and how it’s spinning.

Focus on the ball and where it is going. A big part of a basketball game are rebounds. You must be able to recover the ball if your opponent shoots and misses.

TIP! Always pressure the man with the basketball when you are on defense. If you keep within six feet, he can only dribble or hang onto the ball for 5 seconds at a time.

What’s your weakness? Don’t lie to yourself. Ditch the three-pointer practice if you are struggling at the free throw line. If you like to bang in the lane, then you will need to become tougher and also work on your mid-range game. Practice those weaker parts to your game in order to become a better overall player.

TIP! Practice the pump fake. Not many strategies are as effective as the notorious pump fake.

There is a lot to know when it comes to basketball. When a player is better, their team is better, which in turn means fans are happier. Everyone at the game has to play their role. As a player, your part is the give the team all the help you can. The tips in this article can help you become an invaluable member of your basketball team.