Basketball isn’t very complex, but it is a lot of fun. All players have skill that they use to assist their team in winning. If you’d like to figure out what you can do to get better at basketball, keep reading this article.
Make sure to dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This helps you to control the ball better. Bounce only at the level of your waist at the side and not in front. Keep your eyes up.
Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.
Practice your bounce pass. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player. Remember you should bounce the ball approximately three-quarters of the distance between yourself and the receiving player. It does depend on a variety of other factors, however.
If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.
Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.
Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Study video tape on your opponent and read over any scouting reports. Learn who the left handed players are and who the right handed ones are. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.
Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot. Your shoulders should always be square towards the basket. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.
You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds. Going too many steps with no dribbling is a waking call and turnover situation. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.
If your opponent is pressing hard, you can give yourself some room to work by dribbling the ball between your legs. This can be practiced by dribbling the ball as hard as you can between the legs while you step in either direction. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.
Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left. This keeps your body balanced and moving toward the basket and keeps your body between yourself and your defender.
Create a routine to improve your free throw success. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate. You have to practice time and time again. Just keep repeating free throws, if you want to perfect that technique. If the routine is off in any way, then you’ll miss the shot.
Use a 2-3 zone as a way to trap opponents. You can do this by having guards wait for the point guard to come at least 10 feet past midcourt. Once he passes mid court the guards should rush up on him. Your forwards should sprint to cover the other players on the outside. The point guard throws a pass that can be easily stolen by your forwards.
While you dribble, alternate your momentum from your left to right side. This will have you ready for a game, when you will need to move any direction on a moment’s notice. It would be great if you are always able to go full speed ahead, but more times than not you will need to move and flow with the defense in front of you. You’ll need to learn how to dribble while your body is leaning in different directions. By nailing this skill, you have a better chance to avoid a turnover.
To help ward off your opponent, practice using your other hand to help shield him away from you. 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. Keep it slightly up when you dribble with your opposite hand.
Everyone who plays basketball works on finding ways to improve the skills they have. By now, you have a firm grasp of what it takes to improve your skills. Keep practicing and you’ll get better.