Tips To Make You A Great Basketball Player

by | Jan 7, 2023 | Basketball

TIP! Perfect your free throw. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

Would you let just anyone work on your car, or try to do it yourself without finding out the proper way to do things? How can you succeed at basketball without researching the sport first? Read on and learn some nifty tricks from the experts of basketball.

TIP! Look forward when dribbling. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough.

Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques. They are not doing it right. 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! When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand.

One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing. You’ll learn that every player is skilled at certain things and that can help you to know what you can do to get better.

TIP! If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team.

Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.

TIP! Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. Go to actual games or watch on TV.

Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. Plant your feet and own that spot. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.

TIP! Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Are you skilled at something? Maybe you are nimble or you are reliably there to support them.

Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. If your right hand is your dominant hand, your right shoulder must be aligned with the rim. For left-handedness, the opposite is true.

TIP! As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong.

A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions. Steady drilling will help speed up your play. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. If you play too quickly, you lose control over the ball and the match.

Free Throws

TIP! When you dribble, keep your knees comfortably bent. If you are standing up straight, you will have more difficulty controlling the ball.

The best free throws come as a result of routine. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. This routine will help you make your free throws, but make the routine a quick one.

TIP! Use whatever hand you aren’t dribbling with as a shield between the ball and your opponent. You don’t need to push any opponents since that’s a foul, but try using your non-dribbling arm like a separator for keeping the ball safe.

Be slick with your feet so you can get a rebound from a teammate. Be aware that the defender who is below you will start moving in your direction. Slip past him, and you can get the ball. You won’t foul as you catch the rebound this way.

TIP! Make sure you stay in a constant rhythm until it is time to make your move. A steady dribble interrupted by a fast dribble will take your opponent by surprise and give you the advantage.

Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.

TIP! Work on taking shots from various on-court locations. Start by practicing grip and balance.

A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice. You will find that it becomes easier to score and make layups.

TIP! A missed shot from the corner often results in the ball landing on the opposite side of the net. Place yourself in position after this shot is made.

If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. To move, just slide from back and forth with your feet, or use a foot to push off, keeping your stance all the time. Remember not to let yourself get crossed up with your feet, which will throw off your balance, making it easier to get around you.

TIP! Having good positioning on the court when trying to grab a rebound will help you keep the ball. Use both feet to jump and then get the ball using both hands.

Strength training can improve your game. Strength, flexibility and stamina are all important things to have in basketball. Even the youngest kids that play will benefit from the game. As they age, begin adding weights to their exercise routine. When they become an adult, weight training becomes mandatory.

TIP! When you are in control of the ball, you should know when to attempt a shot and when you should pass it to someone with a better shot. It is far better to contribute to the winning shot than be the only person involved in the shot that lost the game.

In order to better your shooting skills, you must practice shooting hundreds of times each day from various position on the court. To improve even more, practice preparing for a shot quickly after dribbling the ball. Avoid looking at the basketball goal while dribbling the ball. This will mimic game conditions and help improve your accuracy.

TIP! When you are facing a zone defense, you must use a penetrating dribble. Once you split through the defense and penetrate into the key, you force the other team to commit away from your teammates.

You need to control your nerves when shooting the ball. This will help improve your focus during the shot. Look at the backboard when you shoot. If you’re going to shoot a lay-up, focus your eyes on the places on the backboard that you’re going to need to hit.

TIP! When playing defense, focus on forcing your opponent onto the sidelines. Pushing them out to the side will give them with fewer options.

If you’re guarding a taller person, try to keep your body between that opponent and the person with the ball. This prevents them from getting the pass, which helps them not have the chance to shoot over you.

TIP! Prior to working out, write down should be accomplished during your session. A lot of people go to workout without having plans.

Pivoting is something you must do if you wish to get good at basketball. Practice your footwork so that you can pivot without thinking about it, and avoid getting tangled in your feet or disoriented. Practice this stance until you get really fast at pivoting with the ball.

TIP! Dribbling is both mental and physical, especially for advanced athletes. Being a good dribbler requires being able to control spin without thinking, change the speed of your dribbles, and have a developed sense of where the ball always is in relation to your body.

When you learn how to fix your car yourself, you will have a sense of pride unrivaled by any other. Pride that is not easily matched but can be bolstered by learning and reading about how you can improve your game. You’ll not only impress teammates and opponents, but you’ll also win games.