Do you dream of becoming a huge basketball star? Don’t just dream about being great! Learn some great techniques that will help you attain your dream. The following article has professional tips to help you become a star player.
It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Basketball games are often won by the defense. The offense gets lots of attention, but if the defense is lacking no basketball team will ever win a game.
When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. By focusing your sight on the ball, you cannot be fully aware of your surroundings. Take the ball with you wherever you go. Dribble as you walk down the street. If you look at the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.
Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.
Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player. A good estimation is to target the ball to bounce at about 3/4 of the distance that the receiving player is. Many other factors will affect it, too.
Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Therefore, learn how to catch any type of pass so that you can help lead your team to victory.
Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. Don’t get too frustrated if you’re having a hard time when you start because after a while passes are going to be more accurate.
When you work out, try focusing on building core strength and bettering your footwork. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Jump rope like the boxers do to increase your footwork speed.
Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Your shoulders should always be squared towards the hoop. Try to line your dominant shoulder up with the rim.
Speed is everything in basketball. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent. To increase your quickness, you must practice playing fast while running drills. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. Playing beyond your own capabilities sends the game spinning past your ability to control it, and turnovers are bound to occur.
Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.
If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve. Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. Sometimes you think of yourself as something you are not.
Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Slide your feet to the sides or push off using the opposite foot to always be in position. Don’t forget not to cross your feet, and you won’t be easy to get around.
To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. You will have more control as you use it to do daily activities that require dexterity. This also can significantly help your basketball game.
After having read this article, you now have a few things that you can go practice. Practice consistently to build confidence. Keep these tips in mind and show off your newly acquired skills.