Use These Tips To Become A Better Basketball Player

Do you dream of being as skilled at basketball star? Don’t just dream about being great! Learn some great techniques that will make you attain your dream. Keep reading and see how your dreams of playing ball can become reality in the near future.

Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling. You retain much more ball control this way. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Don’t look down, always look up.

TIP! When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more.

Focus on your strong point to help you become a better at basketball.Your skills may not turn you into the star player, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player. Know your strengths and keep practicing until there is no one better than you.

Build your core strength and work on your legwork when you train for basketball.Your body will naturally balance and move quicker when you have strong core muscles. Focus on your hip, buttocks, and hip muscle groups.Jump rope like a boxer to improve your footwork speed.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.

TIP! Practice using different types of defenses. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you.

Pay close attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot.If your shoulders aren’t correct, your shot is not going to go in. Your shoulders need to be squared towards where you’re shooting. The shoulder that’s dominant should be perfectly aligned with the rim.

Ask someone to take a video of you can see how yourself in action.You can see things differently as you observe the game and what plays you missed in the game. Be honest in your assessment but don’t be too harsh.

Would you like to fool the opposing team? You should try a back pass. Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

Free Throws

Build a routine to improve your free throws. If you aren’t able to be consistent then you’ll find yourself missing free throws.The easiest way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routines time and again.

When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. It can be quite powerful.

TIP! To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders.

Good footwork can really help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots.The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. This will get you to secure the rebound without getting penalized for a foul.

Be certain that your site is good. This isn’t just so you to make shots as well as catching passes that come your way. You need to have the best peripheral vision to be as good as it can.

You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.

TIP! A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. This may seem like an impossible challenge, but it will increase your stride length and your speed.

Changing up your pace is something you have to do to make sure the offense on their toes. When you running towards the basket, put your front foot in firm place and start straightening up. The guard will think you are slowing down and may try to straighten themselves. When they do this, rush forward and power past them.

You will have better ball control by bending your knees just a bit.

Mix things up offensively to keep the other team’s defense off-balance. As you approach the goal, plant your foot and then straighten up. The guard may think you’ve slowed down and may try to straighten themselves. When that happens, rush forward and power past them.

TIP! When playing defense, always try to stay low. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

You have to practice hard every day if you desire to step up your shooting skills by practicing with shots from different spots on the court. This is a good way to simulate the conditions of the game and improving your accuracy.

Stop Dribbling

Don’t cease dribbling until you get ready to shoot or pass. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options. If you decide not to shoot a basket or pass the ball on, you are only allowed to pivot on the heal that is furthest back. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and try get the ball away from you.

TIP! If possible, keep action beneath the knees. This makes it more difficult for the opponent to take the ball.

Only stop dribbling if you are prepared to shoot or pass. You do not have many options after you after you stop dribbling. If you decide not to shoot or pass, you’re left with pivoting on your back foot. This makes you open up to people that want to double team you and that means you are also more likely to get the ball away from you.

Now that you have read the above article, you have some tips for the next time you practice. Practice consistently to help build your confidence. Show off your talents, and always implement good advice.

Be sure not to double dribble. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling. If you have already ceased dribbling, your only options are to pass or shoot the basketball. It is against the rules to recommence dribbling. When you do that, it’s called a turnover. It will cause you to have to surrender the ball to the opposing team.