
Basketball is loved by many. But, excelling at the game is not simple. You can be born with talent, but the game can be enjoyed by everyone. Read this article to learn more about the great sport of basketball.
Look forward when dribbling. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough. Take the ball with you wherever you go. Dribble as you walk down the street. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.
If you handle the ball often, you need to learn how to do a crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.
Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.
Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos. You will quickly notice all the different skills that they have which makes them a great player, then take what you learned and use it to help improve your own game.
One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. Playing the game without the use of dribbling is a challenge, but it can help you and your team learn to make more precise passes. The accuracy of passes will greatly improve over time and the drill will become a lot easier.
If you’re a jump shooter, don’t lift weights too often. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.
Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Are you really good at any one thing? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.
Keep your eye on the ball. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Always be on the lookout for open areas where you can seize easy scoring opportunities.
Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. You should try your best to only hold onto the ball with your fingertips when passing and shooting.
During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Jump rope like the boxers do to increase your footwork speed.
Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot. Shoulders should be towards the hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.
Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.
Practice looking in a different direction when you pass. This may confuse your opponents, greatly. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.
Do you feel as though it’s time to show off your new skills? Perhaps a little practice of what you read should come first. Get excited, get energized, get motivated, and get out there on the court! By practicing these pointers, you are sure to see improvement much sooner than later.