One of the best things about basketball is how easy it is to learn the basics. The basics can be picked up in just a few minutes. However, there are many advanced techniques that can be learned. Continue reading to learn the how you can become the best player.
You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do. Practice constantly using this tip. Start by holding your ball before your face. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.
Perfect your free throw. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate. Put this technique into practice as often as you can. Hold the ball level to your face. There may be a number of distractions so you need to focus on your goal. Then try shooting the ball along the trajectory that was in your mind.
Keep your head up when you dribble. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Dribble on your way to school. If you are looking at the ball, you cannot see what is happening down the court in front of you.
If you get possession of the ball a lot, you must learn the crossover technique. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.
If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. This should be something you do quickly. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.
Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. Layup shots make up nearly 80% of a game’s shots. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.
Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.
Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are other variables to consider though.
Frequent pass catching practice is important. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.
Keep your weight lifting to a minimum as a jump shooter. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.
Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Try using a back pass! To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Then, bring the ball back behind you. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. This should be helpful in tricking them team.
To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better. Once you find a spot, you need to know how to defend it. Good footwork is key to a good basketball game.
Don’t let the ball go behind your back. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor. Scan the court looking for openings to make a basket.
Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. This keeps you aware of what is going on so you aren’t surprised. Keep your eyes open for areas that are open.
If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back. This technique can really throw off defenders.
One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play faster. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. You will not be able to control your moves if you play faster than you are able to.
When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. This keeps your body balanced and moving toward the basket and keeps your body between yourself and your defender.
When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When done properly, this technique distracts the opposition and gives your pass recipient a chance to focus on the basket. If you can master this move, it can really work in your favor.
To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Soon, you will be able dribble with your weaker hand as well as you can with your dominant hand.
You need to take charge when the opportunity presents itself. When you take a charge, you have the opportunity to get a defensive stop, your team gets the ball and an additional foul is set up against the other team. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.
Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.
Strength Training
To get better at three-point shots, work on shooting from the NBA three-point line. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that. By practicing at the NBA line, you will be used to getting a look a little further than what most defenses will cover.
Improve your basketball skills by incorporating strength training into your fitness regimen. Stamina and physical strength are required for basketball excellence. Even youngsters can strengthen their arms and legs to improve game play. When they become teens, try using weights to keep enhancing their exercises. It’s important to continue strength training when you are an adult to maintain your performance.
You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it. Keep it slightly up when you dribble with your opposite hand.
When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly. Maintain your proper defensive stance no matter what. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to formation as quickly as you can.
The best way to become a better player is to talk to your teammates and know what they are going to be doing. Basketball is a team sport. Offense and defense aren’t 1 on 1. Be there for your teammates is important. Speak with them and make them aware of when you require assistance so that all of you play better.
Work on your 3 point shot by shooting from the established NBA distance. The line in every other league is closer. If you are able to make NBA-range three-point-shots, you will be able to find more open looks during your own games.
Switching up your dribbling rhythm can really throw the defense off. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass. The change of sound and speed can confuse the opponent.
You can place your off-hand out in front of you to serve as protection against the defense. However, you’re not actually going to push with this hand; instead, you’re going to separate yourself using this hand. Just keep it raised a little while you dribble with your dribbling hand.
Always anticipate where a missed basket might go so you can grab the resulting rebound. Figure out where it will land to grab the rebound.
Be sure your exercise off the court is going to help you on the court. You could, for instance, work on your sprint so you can perform plays faster, while running on a longer distance will help you build your stamina. Working out with weights helps to improve your muscles and the physical part of the game. Your shooting abilities are greatly enhanced by a more self-assured, aggressive mindset.
Double dribbling is not a habit you want to get into. You get called for double dribbling if you stop your dribble and then begin again. If you have stopped dribbling, you’ll need to either shoot or pass the ball. You aren’t able to start dribbling again. If you do, you are committing a turnover, and the other team will get the ball.
When you’re getting down after catching the rebound, you should come down with spread out legs so that they’re wider than your shoulders to get good balance. Keep your hands on either side of the ball and hold it tight to your chest. Be careful with your elbows as hitting someone on the other team will be a foul.
Passing is the most important part of the game: not shooting. Your opponent will have a more difficult time stealing the ball if it is frequently being passed. It also shows you value teamwork and this will be appreciated by your teammates. There will be time in the game for you to show your individual abilities. You will get your turn, so exercise patients and assist others.
Control your nerves when you are shooting. This will help improve your focus during the shot. Look at the backboard when you shoot. But if you want to do a layup, just pay attention to where you need to bounce the ball on the back board.
You must know how to pivot correctly when playing basketball. It is important that you are able to pivot quickly and smoothly without taking your focus away from the game. You should first practice your pivoting stance, followed by practicing your reaction rate once you’ve gotten the ball.
Perhaps you have been just began to play basketball before reading this great article. Or have you been playing since a young child? Regardless of the reason, this article will advise you on how to improve your game. Put these tips into action and you are sure to become a more effective player.
Put pressure on your opponent but don’t simply run from one player with the ball to another player with the ball. This will end up leaving your man open. The opponent can only hold the ball or dribble for 5 seconds when you’re in 6 feet of them. Get the opponent to think more about a referee’s give count than scoring the bucket.