Don’t worry about becoming Michael Jordan or LeBron James, focus on becoming the best player you can be. Instead of just trying to become great, why not learn more strategies and techniques to help you? Keep reading for tips that can help you to do that.
Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. Practice constantly using this tip. Start with the ball positioned right before your face. Visualize the ball sailing into the hoop. Next, shoot with just the trajectory you saw.
If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. You need to perform crossovers very quickly to get good results. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.
Focus on your strong point to help you become a better ball 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. Knowing what you excel at and then practicing that can help you become perfect at it!
Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. 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.
Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. What areas are your strong points? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Find out what others perceive as your natural gifts and build upon those more completely.
It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. If you have the ball and you step outside the baseline, then you’re out of bounds. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.
For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else. Having a consistent routine is ideal, and that helps train your body to know how to be in the proper position every time you shoot the free throw.
When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. So, your left foot should be the one you take off from if you use your right hand to shoot. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.
In your drills, you should attempt to move the basketball the length of the court in fewer than half a dozen dribbles. This may seem like an impossible challenge, but it will increase your stride length and your speed. That translates to smooth layups during fast breaks.
Strength Training
Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel. Even the youngest players need to have strong arms and legs. Adding weights in stronger increments is effective as the child becomes a teenager. It’s important to continue strength training when you are an adult to maintain your performance.
If you want a 2-3 zone to be turned into a machine that traps, your two defenders that are guarding should wait until your point guard is around ten feet past mid court. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him. Have forwards sprint to players on the wing. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.
If you want to play better, communicate with your teammates so you know what they intend to do. Basketball is not an individual sport. That means offense and defense aren’t one on one. Be there for your teammates is important. If you believe others can help you improve, let them know. The result benefits you and your entire team.
Practice all types of shots while in different distances and angles. You need to practice your grip and balance. While it is possible to shoot off balance, it isn’t always accurate. You can perfect your grip on the ball by using the valve. Spread your fingers, and place your dominant hand over the area where the valve is located.
Create a strong team environment on and off the court. A team that works together is an unstoppable team. The ability to intuit and appreciate the actions of your teammates can significantly improve your performance as a whole.
For the best balance, make sure you land with your feet spread apart. Keep your hands on either side of the ball and hold it tight to your chest. Take care with elbows, since it is a foul if you strike someone on the opposing team.
Your should have good position both before and after a rebound to assure you keep the ball. Use both feet when jumping; this improves both height and control. Following a rebound, land with feet spread wider apart than shoulder width. In this way, you can stay balanced and hold the ball close.
Now that you’ve finished this article, you can get out there and practice. Consistency and confidence go a long way in making you a skilled, successful player. Keep your head up and use what you learned here.