Even the basketball greats don’t know everything there is to know about this wonderful game. Are you looking for a step-up on your opponents? Read on to find the edge you an edge over the competition.
You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Use fingertips to dribble. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.
Many people forget that defense is the key to winning. Defense is what stands between you and a basketball game. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but lacking a solid defense, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.
Learn how to hit a free throw. Practice often using the following method.Start out by holding your ball before your face. Keep looking at the goal and visualize the basketball going through the hoop. Shoot on the ball how you saw in your mind’s eye.
Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. Dribble the ball when you’re walking to the shops. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.
Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you get the ball fairly often. This move entails transferring the ball back and forth from the right hand you use. You need to perform crossovers very quickly to be good at it. When done properly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.
Learn the way to throw a proper bounce passes. A bounce pass will hit the other player at waist level. A useful tip is to have the ball bounce at about 3/4 of the distance to the receiving player is. There are other factors you have to think about too, though.
A bounce pass is essential to learn. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. Bounce it 3/4 of the distance to the receiver. Although, there will be other circumstances that are involved too.
Free throws are as mental focus as physical. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw rate.
A great way to hone your basketball abilities is to watch the pros are playing.
Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong. Hand signals can be a great way to find out if a teammate will be able to receive your pass. If they don’t signal, don’t pass to them.
You can learn how to better pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. This is very hard to accomplish, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.
Don’t pump too much iron if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but there is such a thing as too much. Some professional shooting guards make their upper body to the point of harming their field goal percentage.
Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.
Play basketball games against yourself during the season and before it. While it’s a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. You can still get a lot when playing solo. Work on free throws or your pivot moves. You can always work on your skills.
Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for what’s coming.This will make you aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes. Keep an eye open for areas that are open.
To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.
Understanding your opponent is key in beating a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch tapes and see how others move on scouting reports. When you know more about the opposing team, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. A defender is a strong one.
Now you know how to be king of the court. They have been designed to help you improve as a player. Keep learning and practicing. Bring your game up a notch or two and keep this advice close at hand.
Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. If you dribble hard, the ball will go back to your hand quickly and the offense will not be able to snatch it easily. If you have an opponent who is guarding you relentlessly, it is time to pass the ball.