
The key to mastering the game of basketball is practice. Make sure you perform drills correctly and keep working on an exercise until you get it right every time. Keep reading to discover some great basketball tips to help you improve your game.
It is easy to be focused on offense when you are learning how to play basketball, but you really should focus your practice on defense. Basketball games are won with a good defense. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.
Watch your form while you dribble the ball. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. When you do this you will have more control over the ball. Dribble to the side of your body rather than directly in front of you, bouncing at waist level. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.
Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.
One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. You want your strong-side shoulder in perfect alignment with the rim.
Quickness is a key skill in basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. In order to play fast, you must practice drills. Though, you should never attempt to a play faster game than your abilities permit. You will end up in a turnover if you play too fast.
Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn. Taking excessive steps while not dribbling results in a call of walking as well as a turnover. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.
Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Honestly and openly assess your own performance. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.
Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!
Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. This will help you to secure the ball during the game. Your peripheral vision should be the best it can be. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.
Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. The guard will assume you are reducing speed and will do the same. When that happens, rush forward and power past them.
Whether you only play on the weekends or you’re a hardcore enthusiast, these tips will still help improve your skills on the court. Every skill can be improved on. You can improve your game in every way, just like professional.