Basketball is such a fun sport and loved by many. Playing it well, however, requires practice and skill. You do not need to be a great player, the point of the game is to have fun. The article below will give you some valuable tips to make playing this sport more fun.
Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven’t practiced enough. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. Paying attention to the ball means you’re not paying attention to the rest of the game.
You should practice your crossovers a lot. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player. It should be done quickly. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.
Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.
A bounce pass is essential to learn. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received. A useful tip is to have the ball bounce roughly 3/4 of the distance to the recipient. Many other factors will affect it, too.
Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Even though this is not an easy drill, you will be rewarded for your efforts during game time.
If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. Getting a great position under the goal is the most important. Once you’ve reached a good spot, you need to secure it. Strong footwork is key.
Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. This will help you to be sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. Your palm should not be touching the ball. When shooting or passing the ball, only your fingers should contact the ball.
Jumping Rope
When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Jumping rope is a favorite amongst professionals when practicing. By jumping rope, you improve speed and footwork.
If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Your shoulders should be facing the hoop. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up with the rim.
Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. Mastering this movement gives you a big advantage on the court.
Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This makes the ball come back to you faster so the people on defense aren’t able to steal it as easily. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.
To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. If you gain more mastery of it in all walks of life, you improve overall control. This is bound to carry over to the court.
Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. Dribbling during game play requires you to adopt a variety of dribbling skills. You might be able to go through an open court or have to switch sides to avoid opponents. Learning to dribble effectively will help you in many different situations. This can help you find your way out of trouble.
Work on taking shots from various on-court locations. Practice your grip and balance first. Shooting when you are not in balance is less accurate, but it is possible. The valve that’s on the basketball can be used to improve your grip. Spread your dominant hand’s fingers, and place the center of it over the valve that’s at the the ball’s center.
If you are serious about basketball then you should be serious about your diet. When you play on a regular basis, you have to load up on carbs to get energy, and you also need proteins and fat. You want to make sure that your body has enough energy to keep going; think about eating chicken, nuts and whole grain bread. Salts and sugars shouldn’t be used that often.
Make sure your team really meshes together off and on the court. Great basketball games happen when teams work together. Once you and your teammates begin communicating, and even hanging out together in your spare time, your success should rise.
Is it time to let others know how good you are? You should practice these tips first. Get pumped and get out into the game! You will see the improvement with your skills after using this advice.