Want Some Helpful Basketball Advice? Read This

Do you love basketball so much that you want to be as great as Shaquille O’Neil? Instead of just aspiring to be a great, why not continue to learn more techniques and strategies that can help you out. Keep reading to see how.

It is easy to be focused on offense when you are learning how to play basketball, but you really should focus your practice on defense. Defense is what wins basketball games. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.

Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. Playing basketball without dribbling is very challenging, but your entire team will quickly improve their passing skills. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Even though having strong muscles is great for the inside game, being on the outside it can harm you when shooting the ball. Some professionals develop their muscles so much that they are actually having a hard time with shooting.

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong, sturdy core allows force from the legs to fuel movements like running and jumping.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. If you don’t see a signal, try to find someone else to pass to.

Footwork is the best way to find an opening shot. You must beat the opposing playing to an open spot. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. Expert footwork is the key to these skills.

Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. This will help you to be sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. Keep your palm off the ball too. When you’re shooting or passing, the only place the ball should touch your hand is on your fingers.

After you’ve read this, you should have some things that you’re able to practice. Practice hard and with consistency. Over time, the work you put in will translate to confidence on the court. Remember what you’ve read here, and show everyone the player you really are.