Your first game of basketball was likely an amazing, exciting new experience. You were figuring out the best ways to dribble the ball, to pass it, and to shoot it. Now, you feel like you are the game’s master. The following article will show you that you still have much to learn.
Make it a point to concentrate on both your defensive and offensive skills. Focusing only on offense does not make you a well-rounded player. Defense is essential to winning these games. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.
Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. This action most be quick to work out. When you do it right, the crossover dribble helps you alter directions and go down the court faster.
To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team. Ask others to help you identify your strengths and practice until you fully master these skills.
Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups. When you practice, run full speed ahead at the basket, jump, and shoot. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.
Do not practice solely against zone defense. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. If you are unprepared, you may lose the match fast.
Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. The back pass is just the thing! Hold the ball using your dominant hand. The next step is to draw the ball behind you. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. This should help to trick the other team.
Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Do you do something particularly well? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.
A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.
You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. Figure out which people are right or left handed. If you know their game, you can defend against it. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.
Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Taking too many steps without dribbling means a walking call and another turnover situation. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.
Free Throw
A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. To better perfect free throw techniques, try using repetition via practicing one routine repeatedly. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.
If you wish to get a free throw rebound from a teammate, you have to stay on your toes properly. Defenders will start to move at you, so you need to get around them to grab the ball. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.
Now that you learned a great deal about basketball, you should take your game to another level. So, set some goals and practice with all your might. With these tips and lots of practice, soon enough you will see lots of improvements to your game.