Basketball is something tons of people enjoy. No matter if you watch championships, play on your own team, or just play in your yard, it’s a sport that’s here to stay. If you enjoy playing the game, you can enjoy it even more if you improve your skills. These tips will help you become a better player.
You need good balance when you shoot. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.
Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Are you really good at any one thing? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.
Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. Figure out which people are right or left handed. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.
If you find yourself unable to shoot well, consider your shoulders. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.
It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Also, you can cause a turnover if you walk without dribbling the ball. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.
If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Stay honest when you’re assessing yourself, but don’t over criticize yourself either. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.
If you are being heavily guarded, a pass between your legs might help. To practice, simply bounce the basketball between your legs while stepping either forward or backwards. Mastering this skill will provide you with a major advantage on the court.
Build a consistent routine for your free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. Practicing your free throw again and again is the only way to perfect it. If you break your routine, you’ll start missing shots.
A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Get them outside their comfort zone. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. Never let them control the game plays. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. To avoid this, stay aggressive and try to interrupt their thought patterns and rhythm.
Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you. If another player is getting too close to you, it is best to pass the ball if a teammate is open.
Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If your knees are not bent, the basketball will be more difficult to control. To help out your ball control, try bending the knees.
Try practicing three pointers from the NBA range in order to be a more effective three point shooter. The line in every other league is closer. Nailing shots from the NBA line can really help improve your overall shooting skills.
Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. During a game, you’ll be dribbling in all kinds of situations. While the court may be open at times, this only means you’re likely to get swarmed. Remember to dribble while leaning in various directions. This allows you to extricate yourself from high-pressure situations.
Be sure you do the sort of off-court exercises that help you during games. You can run longer distances to build up stamina. To build speed, try doing wind sprints. Both are necessary for playing good ball. To play more physically, lift weights to make yourself a more dominating presence. The resulting sense of confidence and power will help when you shoot.
There are many things you can do to improve your moves. A lot of them are easy as learning the techniques and practicing them. Practice makes perfect, and basketball is no exception. It helps to be near a basketball net as often as possible. Take what you have learned here to make the most out of your next basketball game.