Some Great Tips For Becoming A Better Basketball Player

Basketball is a game that can be played by men or women. People of any age or gender enjoy a fun and exciting game. Get a group of friends together so you can show off your moves. What moves do you mean? Read on to find some great tips and tricks to improve your game.

Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling. You must do it fast for best success. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game.

Good footwork remains a shot when you are posting up. You must beat your opponent to the open spot.Once you’re in the proper position, secure your spot. Both skills rely on solid footwork.

Ask fellow team members what they admire about your playing skills? Do they feel you do something really good at something? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your footwork is enviable.

You should practice pass catching regularly. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly. During a hectic game, every throw is not going to be perfect. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.

Always be aware of your feet and what they’re doing.

Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent. Don’t let them get comfortable out there on the court. Be aggressive as you execute.Don’t allow them dictate the game.

You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. Don’t be frustrated by how hard it is at first; you will get used to it.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. Try a pass back! Hold the ball using your dominant hand.

Good footwork will help you to get those rebounds. The defender below you will be moving toward you, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. This will get you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.

Dribble hard to make it less likely for the ball stealing. If someone is close to you and is really good at guarding you, look to pass the ball to someone who is open.

To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. If you are just stepping into position, you now have to secure the spot. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.

TIP! To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements.

Try to get the basketball from one end of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length. This will help you accomplish great layups on fast break opportunities.

Don’t let your feet get crossed and opposing players will have difficulty getting around you.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. This keeps your body balanced and moving toward the basket and keeps your body between yourself and your defender.

TIP! Develop and use a consistent routine for shooting free throws. Inconsistency will ruin your shots.

Strength training can help in basketball. Stamina and physical strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Even little kids that play will benefit from the game. As players mature, weights can be used for even greater impact.

Keep dribbling until you want to shoot or passing opportunity is imminent. You do not have many options after you after you stop dribbling. If you can’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. This makes you open up to people that want to double team you and try get the ball away from you.

If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle. If you are being guarded closely, bring your dribbling to an end and pass the ball to another open team member.

TIP! Changing your pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body.

Practice all types of shots from every court location. The first thing to do is practice your grip and balance. Shooting when off-balance isn’t impossible, but you will not be nearly as accurate with your shots. You can use your grip on the ball by using the valve. Put the middle of your palm over the basketball’s valve.

Make sure your team both off and on the basketball court. Basketball is one of those games that goes so much further when a team gels completely. If you get to know and trust your teammates, your game will be seriously enhanced.

When you are on the defense, the key is to stay as low as you can. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly. Stay in a defensive stance. When you must break from your stance in order to block shots, make sure to return to form right away.

TIP! Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. If you’re able to do more with your other hand daily, you can start controlling it better.

Keep calm when shooting the ball.Keep focused on the rim and don’t lose focus. If you’re going to shoot a lay-up, it is best to look at the area from which the ball should bank off.

If the person whom you are guarding is bigger than you, try keeping between that person and the one in possession of the ball. This will make them not available for a pass the ball right over your head.

To improve three-point shooting, do it from NBA distance at the very least. High school lines, international standard lines, and college lines are much closer. Putting in the shot from the NBA distance will give you an advantage over defenders who are not expecting it.

TIP! Stay low and dribble the ball below the level of your knees. This will lower the chances of your opponent being able to steal the ball.

Make sure passing an important element of your overall game. Passing helps confuse the defense confused.It also builds your teammates. You will get the right time to showcase your talents.

Know what areas you are weak. Practice your problem areas more frequently than areas where you often miss them. If you play weak inside of the paint, focus on shots like your short shot, and train to play more physically. Work on your weaknesses to become a great all-around player.

Maintain a rhythm to the dribble until you are ready to surprise the opponent. Dribbling somewhat slowly, then suddenly dribbling fast might give you the opening you need to take a shot. Not only the speed change, but the sound change is what confuses them most.

TIP! 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.

Now you can show your stuff off on the court. Now you know some tips even your opponents don’t know. The point of playing basketball is not only to win, but to have fun playing the game. Of course, winning is always pretty fun as well!