Playing Like A Professional: What You Need To Know About Basketball

by | Jul 16, 2021 | Basketball

TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Defense is how you win a basketball game.

There should be no surprise as to basketball’s reason for popularity, given its fast pace. However, to play the best you can, you must learn some things. These tips will help you become a better player.

TIP! Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. When you do this you will have more control over the ball. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games.

Balance is vital to good shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They have just improvised, is all. Having a good foundation under you while shooting will always yield better results over time as you keep on practicing and honing your skills.

TIP! Remember to practice a lot of different possibilities so that you will not limit your game. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too.

Practice layups 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. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

TIP! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately.

Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

Core Muscles

TIP! High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else.

If your kid is going to try out for the basketball team, they should be properly training their core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles. Your performance is going to be sub-par if you don’t have strengthened core muscles. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.

TIP! Work on passing through your legs to add another skill to your arsenal. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. What are your your best skill areas? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.

TIP! Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. Your opponents can really get confused by this, as well.

One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Be vigilant to detect openings or weaknesses that make it easier to take the shot.

TIP! The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so try to slip by them to obtain the ball.

Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Strengthen you back muscles along with abs, hips and buttocks. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.

TIP! When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand.

Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

Free Throws

TIP! You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand.

When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. This routine will help you make your free throws, but make the routine a quick one.

TIP! An excellent tip to help you with shooting skills is to shoot the ball from different spots on the court. For even better results, practice the run-up to your shot in addition to the actual shot.

Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. This drill can help you to have success with lay-ups during a fast break.

TIP! Make sure that you are exercising properly for basketball. Running for long distances will increase your stamina, while running sprints will help you with fast-paced moves.

When dribbling you want to keep your knees bent. The farther the ball has to bounce, the less control you will have of it. Bending your knees will make a big difference in the way you can control the ball.

TIP! Keep a rhythm while dribbling to throw your opponents off. Smooth dribbling interrupted by a quicker dribble is a great way to catch the opponent off-guard and go in for a shot.

Practice dribbling while you switch your body’s momentum from one side to the other. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise. You might be working with a court that’s open, but you may get swarmed by quite a few people. Learning to dribble effectively will help you in many different situations. It really will get you out of some sticky situations.

TIP! One way to force turnovers is to make your opponent change course. It is irrelevant whether you are playing defense or offense; in both cases, your ability to control the direction of your opponent is critical.

Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. It’s a foul to push your opponents, but using your arm as a barrier is allowed and will help you to secure the ball. Just make sure it is kept slightly up while you use the other hand to dribble.

TIP! Do not double dribble. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling.

Basketball can be one the most fun sports to play, but you must know the basics. You need a good knowledge base for basketball if you desire to get better. Apply these tips to your next game to become an even better player.