Basketball season is something that people get obsessed with whether they’re playing or just watching. Give your fans a reason to cheer by improving your game. Every team member has unique skills; find out what yours are and emphasize them to their maximum. These tips will help you become a better basketball player.
Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Don’t look down, always look up.
Perfect your free throw. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. Practice a lot with the following method. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Have your eyes on your goal and picture your ball going into it. When you shoot, keep the visualized trajectory in mind.
Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. If you are heading down to the market, dribble as you go. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.
Practice basketball in season and out of season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. This is perfectly acceptable. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. You can always practice something.
Understanding the opponent is a good way to win with defense. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. Remember which player shoots left and which shoots right. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.
When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.
Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent. Regular drilling will increase your speed. However, don’t try and push past your limits. This can cause you to get out of control and make careless mistakes.
Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. An errant toe to the baseline while holding the ball will result in an “out of bounds” call. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. Avoid lifting your feet when you are screening or in position for a charge or the foul will be called on you instead of your opponent.
In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. Also, this will improve your balance as you approach the basket.
Free Throw
A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. A consistent routine enables the shooter to have a perfect motion every time. Repetition is an excellent way to improve your ability to make each free throw. Stick with a routine until you can perfect it. You are likely to miss your shot if you’re not settled into your routine.
You must disrupt and upset the play of your opponent if you want to be successful as a defensive player. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Stay aggressive. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. If you let them, they’ll totally take the control from you. Instead, take the initiative and disrupt their rhythm.
Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can stay stationary, catch all the ball, and shoot them from that same location. Your ability to handle the ball will affect your success on the court.
The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. You’ll be able to grab the rebound without fouling your opponent.
Peripheral Vision
Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. Not to just be able to see the scoreboard, but to actually make a shot and catch a pass. Working to improve you peripheral vision will help you become a more successful player. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.
There are clearly many ways to better your skills. When you’re the best player that you can be, you’ll help to make your team better. From the players of a team to the fans in the crowd, everyone involved in a game plays a major role in it. The player’s role is to give the team his all. The tips in this article can help you become an invaluable member of your basketball team.