Some Great Tips For Becoming A Better Basketball Player

Basketball is something that people find to be fun and loved by many. The pros make it look easy, but mastering it is not quite so simple. The following article below will give you some great basketball tips.

Make it a point to concentrate on both your defensive and offensive skills. Focusing only on offense does not make you a well-rounded player. Basketball games are won more often by defense than offense. Offense may score points but defense keeps the other team from scoring points that your team will have to match.

TIP! It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Basketball games are often won by the defense.

Focus on your strong point to help you become a better at basketball.You might not have star ability, even if these skills do not make you one of the star players. Know your strengths and keep practicing until you have perfected them.

Build your core strength and work on your legwork when you train for basketball.Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles. Work your ab, back, buttocks and hips. Jump rope can be used to speed up your fancy footwork.

Make sure to dribble properly. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This helps you to control the ball better. Dribble to the side of your body rather than directly in front of you, bouncing at waist level. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.

TIP! Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. You’ll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm.

Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, your shot is unlikely to succeed. Your shoulders should always be squared towards where you’re shooting. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned correctly with the rim.

Speed is a key attribute in basketball. Try to play faster than the opponents for an advantage. You will have to be steady as you play quickly.But do not try to play faster than you actually are. Playing beyond your speed can result in bad passes and errant passes.

Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven’t practiced enough. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what they’re doing.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you playing and watch it. Are you able to see missed or things that you could have improved? Be honest with yourself but not overly critical.

Work on being able to receive a pass. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Learning how to catch these errant passes will put you at an advantage.

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot.Whatever you do, from dribbles to body motions, do every time. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your “ritual.”

Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you wish to handle the ball better.Wrist curls work good if you handle the ball.You will not be able to stand and shoot. You have to start moving the basketball to make things happen.

You may have better luck honing your passing skills if you forgo dribbling during practice. Passing drills with your team is important for accurate passes during game time, and you can try doing them without dribbling at all. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.

Take a charge you can.

Don’t let your feet to cross to become a hard to get around you.

In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.

TIP! If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball.

Changing pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. When running toward the hoop, straighten up while planting the front foot. The guard will think you are slowing down and may try to straighten themselves. When that happens, run ahead and push yourself forward.

Stop Dribbling

The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. Your palm should touch the ball as little as possible. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.

TIP! Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it.

Don’t stop dribbling until you get ready to shoot or pass. You are limited once you after you stop dribbling. If you don’t have the chance to shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. This makes you open up to people that want to double team and try get the ball away from you.

Are you now ready to show off your skills? Well, maybe you better practice what you’ve read first. Take all the excitement you have for the sport to lace up your shoes and start improving your game. By practicing these pointers, you are sure to see improvement much sooner than later.

When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. As with boxing, you can increase footwork speed and dexterity by jumping rope.