New Tips To Improve Your Basketball Game

by | May 7, 2022 | Basketball

TIP! You should practice your crossovers a lot. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in.

It’s important that you understand basketball if you want to truly appreciate it. What’s the score? There is no need to worry. As exciting as basketball is, it’s also an easy sport to learn. Read this post to learn a lot about basketball, so you’ll love playing and watching even more.

TIP! Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. You have seen some crazy shots made by professionals, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals.

Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is the key to winning. Defense is what stands between you and a win. Offense is flashier, so it draws the attention of fans and journalists, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.

TIP! Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This provides you with much more ball control. Bounce only at the level of your waist at the side and not in front. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.

Looking Forward

TIP! Don’t let the ball go behind your back. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent.

Make sure you are looking forward and looking up as you’re dribbling. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more. Take your basketball everywhere. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. By looking forward instead of at the basketball, you are able to see the happenings on the court.

TIP! As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games.

Constantly practice layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. Practicing the running and jumping method will help you shoot better this way in a game.

Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax yourself and focus on the hoop.

TIP! Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. This will easily confuse your opponents.

Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.

Free Throw

TIP! Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. You may find this very challenging, but once accomplished it will give you a real edge.

A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. If you want to perfect free throw shooting, pick a routine and repeat it continuously. If you don’t stick to your routine, you could miss the shot.

TIP! If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. All the other three point lines are much closer than the NBA line.

Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This may seem to be too difficult at first, but once you’re able to do it you’ll have a lot of speed and stride length. This can mean easy lay-ups on fast breaks, or just give your team numbers for a moment.

Strength Training

TIP! Don’t discontinue dribbling until you have the chance to shoot or pass. After you halt the dribble, your options become quite limited.

In order to improve your game, make sure you do plenty of strength training. Those who do very well at this sport have a combination of stamina and strength. Small kids who play stand to reap real benefits from strengthening their legs and arms. As they become adolescents, let them start using weights for added benefits. Strength training is essential once you reach the adult years.

TIP! To keep your opponent on their toes, keep your dribbling steady and regular, then surprise them. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass.

For your weaker hand, to build skills, use it off-court for as much as you can, from brushing teeth to opening jars. These tasks help to make your weaker hand feel more natural when you use it on the court. So, drill with the weaker hand and use in it in real life.

TIP! Maintain strong team camaraderie both on and away from the court. When a basketball team gels fully, their game can reach entirely new heights.

You should always bend your knees while dribbling. If you are standing straight, you will have a harder time controlling the ball and your opponent will be able to steal it more easily. Just a little bending at the knees can make a huge difference in your overall ball control.

TIP! Make sure that you are not stressed when shooting. Keep your eyes and thoughts focused on the basket.

Keep dribbling until it is time to shoot or pass the ball. After you halt the dribble, your options become quite limited. If you choose against passing or shooting, you are stuck pivoting in place. That will allow your opponents to double team you and potentially steal the ball.

TIP! For basketball players with an advanced skill set, dribbling ends up being more mental than it does physical. You need to control the basketball spin, just how hard the contact is with the court and even where exactly it lands relative to your feet.

Be sure your exercise off the court is going to help you on the court. Running for short quick bursts at a time will help you become quicker, and running long distance can help with stamina. Lifting weights can help you get more muscle. The passion which results will help you become a better shooter.

TIP! When it comes to basketball, communication is key. When a team is practicing, this needs to be planned out.

It’s not that hard. The sport is loved by millions all over the world, and played by millions as well. Take what you have learned here to get better at the sport and develop a more comprehensive understanding of it.