Playing Basketball: How To Improve Your Game

by | Apr 8, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player.

Basketball is loved around the world. Whether you enjoy watching games, playing for a team or simply playing in the yard, basketball will always be around. Those who play the game are always interested in improving. The following tips will help you become an even better player.

TIP! Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist.

Balance is essential to shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They improvise to do that. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.

TIP! Watching the pros play is a great way to see how great basketball players use their skills in the game. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. When the game is going on, every pass isn’t going to make it to its target. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

TIP! Practice using different types of defenses. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

Do you want to fool the other team? Try using a back pass! Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

TIP! If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

Speed is a key attribute in the game of basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. You will end up in a turnover if you play too fast.

TIP! Have your team mates critique your playing skills. Do you do something really good? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate.

Look away when you practice passing. This can go a long way toward confusing the opposition. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. If you can master this move, it can really work in your favor.

TIP! Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it.

Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Do not allow your opponent to become comfortable with their style, or yours. When making a move, be aggressive. Do not allow them to choose the plays that they make. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. Force them to act and their rhythm will get disrupted.

TIP! Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster.

Be slick with your feet so you can get a rebound from a teammate. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them. Then you gain the ball without the foul.

TIP! Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed.

Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. If another player is getting too close to you, it is best to pass the ball if a teammate is open.

TIP! Speed is a key attribute in the game of basketball. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions.

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you. This can make for good psychological warfare.

TIP! You want to strive in practice to bring the ball all the way up the court in no more than five dribbles. This may seem quite difficult at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length.

Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. As you are heading towards the net, straighten up and plant down your foot. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will then straighten their own body. When they do, push ahead hard and outrun them.

TIP! Be sure that your site is good. This will enable you to make good shots as well as catching passes that come your way.

Bettering your game can be done in many ways. In many cases, it takes only a few minutes to practice and adopt a new tactic. Practice is really the secret to becoming a master of anything, so be sure you have a hoop, ball and free time available regularly. No matter if you’re practicing with a group of friends or your team, the more chances you get to perfect your skills, the better you become as a player.