Basketball is pretty easy to play and quite a few people play it worldwide. In order for a team to win, each player has distinct skills which must be accurately performed. Learn to improve your skills by reading the following tips.
Correct dribbling is key. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. You retain much more ball control this way. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.
If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. It has to be done fast to be effective. If you do it right, a crossover dribble will assist you in changing directions and getting down the court in an efficient manner.
You must have good balance to shoot well. Falling when you make a shot is not the right way to shoot. This is simply an improvised move. Non-professionals should focus on having good balance to ensure good shots. As time passes, you will make more and more baskets with this method.
Practice your pass catching often. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones. When the game is being played, passes may not be as perfect as we’d like. Therefore, it pays to practice catching passes that are a bit off-target.
Do not practice solely against zone defense. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.
If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Strong muscles are certainly useful for basketball, but you can overdo it if you plan to play on the perimeter. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.
Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. That is okay. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. There’s always some work to do.
The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. This keeps it under control. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.
One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots. To help improve your shot, focus on squaring up on each of your shots. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.
Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn. Going too many steps with no dribbling is a waking call and turnover situation. In addition, a foul can be called against you if you move either foot while setting a screen, a pick or taking a charge.
When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. It is important that your assessment is an honest one, but isn’t overly critical. Seeing yourself realistically can be a great way to make changes in a positive direction.
Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. It can be very confusing to your opponents. 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. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.
To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. By doing this, you can increase your chance to get the rebound despite starting in a disadvantageous position.
Perform drills in which you move the ball up the court in just five dribbles. This will help you to gain speed, stride length and control of the ball. If you master this, you will be able to quickly take layups.
Ensure that you have good court awareness. This isn’t just for reading the scoreboard. You want to make sure that you see what is going on to the sides of you. You need to know the location of other players on the court in order to make good passes and avoid turnovers.
All basketball players try to become an expert in a particular skill so they can become a better player. Now that you’ve read this article, you know a thing or two about improving your skills. Keep these tips in mind during your next practice to improve your game.