In order to play basketball well, you need to understand how to become a great basketball player. Why would someone think they could be great at basketball if they didn’t do some research first? In this article, we will discuss some of the top professional tips in the world of basketball.

You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear. Use good technique when shooting foul shots. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Then, look at the ball and visualize it going in the basket. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

TIP! Perfect your free throw. These shots look easy on television, but are actually hard when you are doing the shooting.

Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. You have to do this quickly to be good at it. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.

Free throws require as much mental focus as physical skill. You must train both your body and your mind. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

In order to help you improve your basketball acumen you should watch how the pros play. Watch as many games on TV as you can. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.

TIP! Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will.

Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. There is nothing wrong with that. You can still accomplish a lot when playing solo. Practice pivoting or doing free throws. Many things can be practiced.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back. The lower and upper extremities are linked by the core, and athletes with a weak core will exhibit limited performance. By developing a strong core, your legs will follow suit.

Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This gives you better control of the ball. Avoid putting your palm on the ball, too. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! Work on pass catches. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones.

If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

If you wish to dribble the ball better, you have to start using your hand that’s considered the weak one. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.

You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you. If someone is guarding you closely, stop dribbling and pass to someone else who is open on your team.

Opposing Team

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.

Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. When running in the direction of the net, straighten up while planting the front foot. This will make the guard think you’re slowing down, then they will straighten their body too. Like them, push and run past them.

Nba Distances

Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that. By learning to shoot from NBA distances, you improve your range tremendously.

Shoot hundreds of shots every day from every position on the court to improve your shooting skills. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Don’t look at the target until you are in the air. In this way, you can simulate the conditions of the game and become more accurate.

TIP! Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter.

Being able to fix your own car provides you with great pride unrivaled by other situations. Pride that is not easily matched but can be bolstered by learning and reading about how you can improve your game. Your skill and ability will help your team win and gain the appreciation of the members of your team.