Do you want to be as great as Shaquille O’Neil? Rather than just wanting to be great, why don’t you learn techniques to help you get better? Keep reading to learn more.

You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.

Free Throws

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws. However, if you’re not in the right state of mind, you won’t succeed. Relax yourself and focus on the hoop.

Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best. When you find a player who has the skills that you want, then watch them and emulate.

TIP! Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team.

If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. If your arms are too big, your field goal percentage will go down.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

When playing basketball, it is important to always keep your eye on the ball. Passes and turnovers won’t take you by surprise because you will be more aware of what is happening on the court. Also, watch for areas to open up so you can make an easy basket.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. This is the most popular shot in basketball.

It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players.

When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. It can help you to see how you really are instead of what you imagine you are.

The best free throws come as a result of routine. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.

TIP! You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard.

If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage.

Create a routine to improve your free throw success. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. The easiest way to make sure you’re doing great at free throws is to do repetitions of the same routines time and again. If you don’t stick to your routine, you could miss the shot.

Change your pace up to throw the offense off. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will then straighten their own body. After that, push hard in a forward motion and scoot by them.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back.

In order to help develop your non-dominant hand, you should use that hand only when trying to open things, and also when brushing your teeth. If you’re able to become more ambidextrous, you are going to be able to better control it on the court. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.

If you wish to shoot on the outside better you should work on shooting hundreds of times every day from a lot of places on the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Hone in on your target while you are jumping, but not before you leave the ground. This can help to improve your accuracy by simulating actual game conditions.

Until the moment you are prepared to shoot or pass, you must dribble constantly. If you stop, you limit your options. If you choose against passing or shooting, you are stuck pivoting in place. This will leave you open for double teaming from opponents and you may lose control of the ball.

TIP! Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so.

Now that you have read the information here, you can now jump in. You need to practice a lot and believe in yourself. Keep your head up and use what you learned here.