Basketball is a game that people enjoy all over the world. If you wish to be better, you must practice. Don’t stop reading just yet because the following article is going to provide you with a few important pieces of basketball advice.
Find out how to make free throw shots. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. Make sure that you’re applying the following technique when practicing. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.
You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Taking a shot when you are off balance will probably lead to a turnover. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.
One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Also, watch for areas to open up so you can make an easy basket.
Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This keeps it under control. Your palm should not be touching the ball. You should try your best to only hold onto the ball with your fingertips when passing and shooting.
A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. Don’t try playing fast until you can. If you play basketball past your own speed ability, then you can lose control of you game with bad passes and needless turnovers.
It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.
If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. It is prudent that you look at yourself as others do and not as how you would like to be.
Practice looking the other way when passing. This is a great technique in order to help confuse the opponents. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. This play can be very powerful.
Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills. Don’t believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.
Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. This may not seem feasible, but once you master it, your speed and stride will be truly impressive. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.
Be certain you are able to see well. Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. Peripheral vision must be razor-honed. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.
Whenever possible, take advantage of an attack. A charge can help you take the ball and perhaps set up a foul against the other team. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.
To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. Once he passes mid court the guards should rush up on him. While that is happening, your forwards should race out to the opposing wing players. Point guards need to throw up passes that your team’s forwards can steal easily.
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 can become more dexterous with it in all aspects of your life, you will be bettering your control of it. This will start to appear in the game of basketball, too.
You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. You don’t need to be shoving the opponents, but you’re able to keep them away by using the arm that isn’t dribbling as a separator. Simply elevate it slightly as you dribble.
With these tips fresh in your mind, go out and enjoy a game. Put in the necessary time to read additional articles, and watch videos. Keep learning more than just this article. Obtain all that advice you can to better your game.