Basketball is a generally beloved and fun sport. However, it’s not that simple to be the greatest at the game when you first start. Basketball can be enjoyed by everyone. Read further to gain some insight on the sport of basketball.
Dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Keep your head up, do not stare down towards the ground.
If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. This term refers to switching the hand you use. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.
Balance is essential to shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques. They’re just improvising at this point. You need the right balance to shoot; it is the only way to eventually make consistent baskets.
When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. While it’s a team sport, you may not be able to find others that will play. No problem! In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. You can work on pivots and free throws. You can always find things to practice.
Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Can they tell you what you’re really good at? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.
The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Your palm should touch the ball as little as possible. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.
When you work out, try focusing on building core strength and bettering your footwork. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.
Get into a consistent routine to improve your free throw shots. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure. Practice and repetition are the only way to become a consistent free thrower. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.
Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Soon, you will be able dribble with your weaker hand as well as you can with your dominant hand.
If you see a chance to gain control of the ball, take it. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.
Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. To move, just slide from back and forth with your feet, or use a foot to push off, keeping your stance all the time. Stay low and make it hard for opponents to get around you.
While you’re dribbling the basketball it is wise to bend your knees. When you are rigid, the ball is not only hard to control, it is also an easier target for a rival to steal. Bending your knees slightly can really make a difference in the way you control the ball.
Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. The instant you stop the dribble, your options become limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you have to pivot on the back foot. This makes you open up to people that want to double team you and that means you are also more likely to get the ball stolen.
Stay low and dribble the ball below the level of your knees. This makes it more difficult for the opposing players to get control of the ball from you. You will have to bend a little to make this happen, but it will keep you moving down the court quickly, especially since you are thwarting everyone trying to get to you.
Be sure to practice good teamwork on the court and off. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another. When you know and trust your teammates, you can accomplish a lot more on the court.
Make sure you don’t double dribble. If you start, stop and then begin again, that is double dribbling. Once you’ve stopped dribbling, you can only pass the ball or shoot the ball. You can’t pick up the dribble again. Doing so results in a turnover, which means the opposing team will get the ball.
When guarding a player who exceeds you in size, attempt to stay in between that player and the one with the ball. In this position you prevent them from receiving a pass and shooting it over your head.
Are you now ready to show off your skills? You might, but you need to practice before you can do that. Get to work and get to playing! In no time, you’ll see your skills improve thanks to the tips you’ve just read.