Want To Be A Better Basketball Player? Read These Tips.

by | Mar 23, 2020 | Basketball

TIP! You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand.

You don’t need a gymnasium or a competition stadium to play basketball. You could have fun playing at a park or in your driveway. Shooting hoops is lots of fun and the following article offers you great tips on how to better yourself.

TIP! Practice shooting free throws. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy.

Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.

TIP! Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other.

Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

TIP! One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. It is important that you see how other people play the game.

If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. Strong muscles are certainly useful for basketball, but you can overdo it if you plan to play on the perimeter. Shooting guards that end up with bulked up arms sometimes find that it affects field goal percentages.

TIP! Practice using different types of defenses. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up.

Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Try a back pass. If you wish to try this pass, get the ball in your dominant hand. With that same hand, bring the ball around your back. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. This will confuse the other team into wondering where the ball went.

TIP! Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. By “playing through the pain” you take a huge risk that the injury will become much worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back.

It’s great to be quick in basketball. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play faster. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. Playing beyond your speed cause the game to get out of control with various turnovers and errant passes.

Free Throws

TIP! A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times.

If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. A break in your routine will foul the shot.

TIP! When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games.

Make it your goal to dribble the ball across the entire court in under 5 dribbles. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. This can mean easy lay-ups on fast breaks, or just give your team numbers for a moment.

TIP! Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball.

Ensure that you have good court awareness. This will prepare you for unexpected passes and help you evade defenders. Peripheral vision is important during game play. Being aware of the entire court will help you to better anticipate who will move where.

TIP! Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up. Your guard will do the same, thinking you plan to stop. After that, push hard in a forward motion and scoot by them.

TIP! Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. You can really confuse your opponents this way.

No matter what kind of basketball you play, you will enjoy it more with more skills. Since you’ve devoted this time to reading this article, the next step is to take these new skills out to the court. The more you know, the better player you’ll be.