If you’ve ever dreamed of being a great basketball player, you have to work hard at it and practice a lot. Even if you happen to be a purely recreational player, you still want to improve your game. This article will help you in becoming a better your game.
You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. You can do this by watching games in person and on television. Every player has a skill that allows him to succeed. Practice their moves to become better.
Learn the best way to make your free throw. Practice often using the following method.Begin by holding the ball up to eye level. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going through the hoop. Shoot on the same path you saw in your mind.
Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you get the ball often. This term refers to switching the basketball from your left hand you use. You have to do this quickly to be good results. When done correctly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.
Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Some professionals develop their muscles so much that they are actually having a hard time with shooting.
Don’t just practice playing against the zone defense. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you can quickly lose control of the game.
Ask fellow team members what they admire about your skills on the court. Do they feel you do something really good? Perhaps you are great backup or maybe your feet.
Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. Don’t fret! There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. You can always practice something.
Understanding the opponent is a tough defense. Watch tapes of their games and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. Once you start to get to know the other team, you can dial in on the best way to defend. A defender that knows about defending makes a strong one.
Pay close attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot.When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are. Be sure to keep the shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the rim perfectly.
Never play through an injury when playing basketball. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.
Ask someone to take a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. You may see where you observe the game and what plays you missed. Be honest with yourself but not overly critical.
Good footwork can really help you get those rebounds. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This allows you to grab the rebound without finding yourself penalized.
To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.
Don’t let your feet to cross to become a hard player to pass.
Changing up your pace can help you have to do to make sure the offense guessing. When you approach the goal, put your foot out and straighten up your body. The guard will think you’ve slowed down and may try to straighten themselves. When that happens, push ahead hard and outrun them.
Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This can seem impossible, but if you do it, you’ll get incredible speed and length. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.
Use the various techniques discussed in this article during your next ball game. You will begin to see a little improvement at a time. Implement the strategies discussed in this article and talk to your coach about additional steps you can take to become a better player.