Basketball Tips You Will Not Find Elsewhere

Basketball has been around for decades; it is both fun and a great competitive sport. Becoming a good basketball player takes practice and plenty of practice.Reading this entire article can help you obtain the basketball knowledge that you need, so continue on.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.

TIP! Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other.

Focus on your strengths to get better ball player. You can contribute to the team by consolidating your best skills, but you can be an outstanding team player. Know the things you’re great at and practice them until you have perfected them.

You can learn how to better pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove.

If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. You can also focus on your weaknesses if you know what they are.

TIP! Practice your layups a lot. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups.

Don’t pump a lot of iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but you can have too much.Some pro shooting guards worked on their arms large enough to decrease their percentage of field goals.

Never try to push through an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is challenging physical sport and there’s always a risk of injury. Trying to play while injured will just make the injury worse. See a physician if you think your injury is serious enough.

Practice catching passes often. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. Help your team by learning to catch those bad passes, as well as those perfect passes.

TIP! One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers out. This makes sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. Don’t allow yourself to have your palm touch the ball either.

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

If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong. Shooting guards that end up with bulked up arms sometimes find that it affects field goal percentages.

Don’t ever allow your feet to cross and opposing players will have difficulty getting around you.

Changing up your pace can help you keep the offense guessing. When you are getting closer to the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. The guard is going to think you’re starting to slow and will straighten themselves. When that happens, push yourself forward and take the chance to run by them.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

TIP! Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in.

Strength and flexibility training can help in basketball. Stamina and strength are required for basketball excellence.Even the youngest kids can benefit from the game. As they grow and become teenagers, begin adding weights to their exercise routine.

Keep low when you defend. This will help you as you jump and let you react to your opponent easier. Remain in a good defensive pose always. If you break form in an attempt to shot block, quickly get back into your stance.

Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. This is a great way to fake out your opponents. If you do it right, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.

To build up your skills with your weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. This will begin to spill over into your basketball game.

To become a better three-point shooter, try using NBA distance as the minimum. The standard line is much closer. If you’re able to get the shot from where the NBA shoots, your open looks will have deeper range than defense will mind you until you begin hitting.

Whenever possible, take advantage of an attack. This strategy can result in your opponent taking a foul and your team getting a defensive stop and taking possession of the ball. This can make for good psychological warfare.

Dribble rhythmically until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard.Changing your pace can take the other player by surprise and give you an advantage.

Make sure your team really meshes together off and on the basketball court. Basketball teams can be elevated when the team blends cohesively. If you feel like you know your teammates like the back of your hand, and you trust them too, and theirs too.

Don’t just practice while static; try to move around while shifting your weight to learn how to best control the ball. This will have you ready for a game, when you will need to move any direction on a moment’s notice. It is possible to be completely open, but it is also possible to be surrounded. You will have to know the right way to dribble when the body is doing different things. Dribbling can help get you out of trouble.

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

Double dribbling is a foul. This happens when you cease dribbling once and begin again within a brief pause. Once you’ve stopped dribbling, you choices are to either shoot or pass the ball.

The game is much more enjoyable if you are able to understand and master some of the fundamental tips mentioned above. Find other article and blogs to read to continue learning. Find out everything you can, and you can improve your game.

The hand not used to dribble the ball should serve as a wall separating the ball from the opposing players. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it. Try to keep your arm around the same height as the apex of your dribble.