Basketball begins as a new adventure for most. You began to figure out how to play such as shooting, dribbling and passing. Now, you might feel as though you are a pro. The tips below can show you that there’s much more to learn.
Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more. Take the ball with you wherever you go. If you are heading down to the market, dribble as you go. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.
If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. This must be done quickly to be successful. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.
To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player. Focus on the skills you have and work to make them better.
Practice your layup shot often. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. That technique of running and jumping helps you get ready for an actual game.
Teach yourself how a bounce pass can be properly thrown. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist. One thing you should do is always remember the ball should be bounced three quarters on its way towards the person you’re passing too. There are other things to keep in mind, though.
Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed. Be relaxed and concentrate on the basket and you will help you make more free throws.
Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.
Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.
Do you want to fool the other team? You should try a back pass. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Next, snap your wrist in the direction you want the ball to be moved to. This is a good way to trick your opponents.
Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players.
Practice looking the other way when passing. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. When it’s done properly, it will cause the opponents to go to the wrong area so that you can pass to someone that has a good look at a basket before shooting. Practicing this pass can really help to give your team the winning edge.
You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. An exercise to help develop your basketball skills is to perform wrist curls. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can stay stationary, catch all the ball, and shoot them from that same location. You have to get the ball around, too.
Alternating your pace is critical to keeping the defense guessing. Plant a foot and start to straighten your body. The guard will assume you are reducing speed and will do the same. Use this opportunity to sprint past your opponent.
Stay low when you play defense. This allows you to jump or react quicker. Maintain your proper defensive stance no matter what. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.
You have to practice hard every day if you desire to step up your outside shooting game. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Don’t look at the target until you are in the air. This can help to improve your accuracy by simulating actual game conditions.
These tips will make it easy for you to become a stellar basketball player. So, set some goals and practice with all your might. Make use of these good tips to improve your strategy and become the player you have always dreamed of being.