Have Questions About Basketball? Get Your Answers Here
Basketball begins as a new adventure for most. You were learning how to pass, dribble, and shoot. After playing for awhile, you may feel you have learned all you need to know. The information below will teach you to be a better ball player.
Dribble the ball the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Always look up and never look down at the ground.
If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. The action needs to be performed quickly in order to be successful. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.
Balance is important when shooting. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. This is simply an improvised move. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.
There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.
You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Go to actual games or watch on TV. You will quickly notice all the different skills that they have which makes them a great player, then take what you learned and use it to help improve your own game.
You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.
If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Both skills rely on some solid footwork.
Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. You will enjoy greater court awareness and avoid feeling surprised by rapid changes in game play. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.
If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be aligned correctly with the rim.
These tips will make it easy for you to become a stellar basketball player. Set goals and practice regularly if you want to hone your skills. Using these tips, you will see you game skills improve with each game.