Becoming a great basketball player takes practice and dedication. Even if you’re only playing fun, don’t you want to play well? These tips will help you become a much better basketball player.
Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is the key to winning. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. Offense is often what gets the glory, but most winning basketball teams play great defense.
Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Always look upwards, never at the ground.
Proper balance is essential when shooting. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times. These are not practiced skills, they are just flukes. 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.
To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. You can contribute to the team by consolidating your best skills, even if these skills do not make you one of the star players. Knowing what you excel at and then practicing that can help you become perfect at it!
Practice using different types of defenses. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game 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’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. Certain pro guards ended up increasing their arm size so much that their shooting started to suffer.
If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Footwork is the key to either of these.
If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. If the injury feels too bad then seek medical attention right away.
When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Jump rope like the boxers do to increase your footwork speed.
Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position. Keep your shoulders square to the hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.
When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. This will easily confuse your opponents. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. It really can be a powerful technique.
Use these tips mentioned above and you’ll improve your game in no time. Practicing what you already know and implementing what you don’t know will enhance your basketball playing abilities. Those three simple steps will carry you all the way to the top.