
For years, basketball has been a popular sport all across the world. To become a star in basketball, you need a strong work ethic and lots of practice. Don’t stop, because this article is going to give you the information you need.
If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.
If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Once you find a spot, you need to know how to defend it. Footwork is the key to either of these.
Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.
Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. An errant toe to the baseline while holding the ball will result in an “out of bounds” call. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.
If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. Sometimes it’s beneficial to look at yourself the way you really look and not just like you think you look.
In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.
Free Throws

To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. If you’re consistent, your shots will be too. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.
Using a weaker hand helps improve overall dribbling skills. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one. Try tying the dominant hand behind you and forcing yourself to just using your weak hand. You will quickly strengthen your non-dominant hand for dribbling.
Improve your ball-handling by strengthening your hands and your forearms. Consider wrist curls and and exercise machine that focuses on strengthening each finger individually. You will not be able to stand in one place and shoot. You must move the ball to have things happen.
Building strength improves your basketball game. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. Young children that play can even benefit from strengthening arms and legs through proper exercise. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. Strength training is essential once you reach the adult years.
Work on your 3 point shot by shooting from the established NBA distance. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that. If you are able to make NBA-range three-point-shots, you will be able to find more open looks during your own games.
Use the hand you’re not dribbling with to create a barrier between the ball and the opponent. Never push your opponent away because that ends up in a foul, but lightly use your other hand to keep separation between the ball and your opponent. Simply elevate it slightly as you dribble.
By using these insights and applying them to your own performance, you will create a stronger, more enjoyable team. Continue reading articles like this one to learn more and build your skills. Take what you need and leave the rest. Practice diligently to improve your game.