Basketball is a remarkable sport because it allows you to achieve great things with only a few simple skills. You can pick up the basics in very little time. However, there are many advanced techniques that can be learned. Continue reading to learn the how you can become the best player.
Make sure to dribble properly. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. This allows you to control the ball better. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Keep your eyes up.
Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!
Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.
Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. Watch as many games on TV as you can. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.
Practice Catching
Make sure to practice catching passes. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.
Completing passes to your teammates is just as important as dribbling the ball. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Try not to lose yourself in frustration if you do not master it immediately, with the more time that passes with you and your team practicing, the more accurate they will become.
If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, ensure they’re training core muscles in the right way. That means their hips, lower back and abs. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.
Build hand signals so passes are more successful. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. If you don’t receive a signal then realize your teammate is not able to get the pass.
Footwork is the best way to find an opening shot. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. Solid footwork can make both of these things happen.
Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Is there something that you excel at? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.
To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. Don’t dilly dally, but do complete your ritual.
You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. You should work to make your opponent feel uncomfortable. Make aggressive plays. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. If they do, they’ll dominate you. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.
The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. You won’t foul as you catch the rebound this way.
You need to take a charge anytime you can. 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 hurt the other team’s players psychologically and can also be powerful when you’re creating plays.
Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. You can try faking a jump shot by planting quickly, and straightening your body. The guard is going to think you’re starting to slow and will straighten up too. When they do this, push yourself forward and take the chance to run by them.
Build a sense of teamwork both off and on the court. Basketball games gain a new intensity when players can work as one effortlessly. If you know your team members intimately and everyone trusts each other, your game will be seriously enhanced.
Learn how make your opponent alter their path. Regardless of whether you play defense or offense, the ability to control the other team creates a significant advantage. In this way, you can move as necessary without allowing your opponents to direct you.
If you want to be a great player, you need to pivot. It is important that you are able to pivot quickly and smoothly without taking your focus away from the game. You should first practice your pivoting stance, followed by practicing your reaction rate once you’ve gotten the ball.
Perhaps you discovered basketball just before you saw this article. Perhaps you played a match or two as a child. No matter what, the tips you’ve just read can help you increase your skills. Put these tips into action and you are sure to become a more effective player.