Be A Better Basketball Player By Following This Advice!

If being a great basketball player is something you have wanted, you know you’ve got to commit and practice enough. Even if you’re only playing fun, you probably still wish to play well. This article will help you in becoming a better basketball player.

Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.

TIP! Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game.

Learn the mechanics of a free throws. Practice often using the following method.Start with the basketball right before your face. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the basketball going into the hoop. Then shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

Learn to crossover if you have the ball fairly often.This technique passes the hand you use. The move must be very swift if it is to be successful. When executed properly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. Learn how to catch any sort of throw.

TIP! Practice catching passes as often as you can. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes.

Focus on your strengths to get better ball player. Your talent might not make you a star; however, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Know the things you’re great at and keep practicing to get even better.

Watch the pros play basketball.

Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. Practicing these techniques can give you a competitive edge over your competition.

TIP! Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage.

A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately.

Play basketball games against yourself in and out of season. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but there are times when no one is around to play with you. There is still much that can accomplish playing on your own. Work on your free throws and pivot moves. You can always work on your skills.

Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Plant your feet and own that spot. Expert footwork is the key to these skills.

TIP! In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so.

Understanding the opponent is key in beating a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch replays and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you will be better able to play an effective defensive game. A knowledgeable defender is a strong one.

Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, all shots will fail. Be sure to keep the shoulders squared towards your hoop.The dominant shoulder needs to be aligned with the rim.

Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. You will get called for walking if you take extra steps and are not dribbling. In addition, a foul can be called against you if you move either foot while setting a screen, a pick or taking a charge.

TIP! Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds.

You need to be quick to be good basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for a better advantage. You have to be steady as you can play quickly. Don’t play more quickly than your skills allow. Playing beyond your speed cause the game to get out of control with various turnovers and excessive turnovers.

Ask a video of you playing and watch it. You can see things differently as you can improve and what plays you missed in the game. Be honest in your assessment but don’t be too harsh.

Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Be honest with yourself, but avoid being too critical. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

TIP! Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

Dribble with force to prevent the ball taken from being stolen. If you have an opponent who is guarding you relentlessly, halt your dribble and pass to an open teammate.

Don’t allow your feet get crossed and it will have difficulty getting around you.

You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. Your shot could be off if you are inconsistent. Practicing your free throw again and again is the only way to perfect it. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.

TIP! Build a routine to improve your free throw game. When you stay consistent, you get better success.

Changing up your pace can help you keep the offense is paying attention.When you approach the goal, act like you’re going to straighten up. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will also straighten themselves. When they do, run ahead and push yourself forward.

This is going to make things harder for opponents to get the ball away from you. You need to bend a bit more for this to succeed, but it’ll allow you to move quickly down the court as you ward off your opponents.

If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. When making a move, be aggressive. Don’t let them dictate the game. If you let them, you’ll be at their mercy. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.

TIP! A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Get them outside their comfort zone.

If you are serious about basketball player then you should be serious about your diet. When you play on a regular basis, you need plenty of carbs for more energy, along with protein and fats. You want to make sure that your body has enough energy to keep going; think about eating chicken, fruits and vegetables. Avoid using excessive sugar and salt when possible.

Now, all you have to do is put these tips to use. Apply what you have learned in this article to your basketball game. These steps will guarantee your improvement.

A great way to make sure you’re in a good position defensively is to keep yourself in the defensive stance. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around. Remember not to let yourself get crossed up with your feet, which will throw off your balance, making it easier to get around you.