When you wish to better your basketball game, you must practice. It is not only important to practice, but to improve through your practice as well. Check out the pointers below to make sure you are on track to make your game all it can be.
Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Use fingertips to dribble. This allows you to control the ball much better while you dribble. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Keep your head up, do not stare down towards the ground.
When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Take the ball with you wherever you go. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.
Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. This kind of improvisation is the result of years of practice and loads of ability. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.
Free Throw
Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed. Relax and focus on the basket; this will help you succeed.
You can play basketball solo before and during the season. While it’s a team sport, you may not be able to find others that will play. That is not a problem. You can still practice when playing alone. Work on free throws and pivot moves. There is always something to practice.
Bad passes can be avoided with the right hand signals. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.
Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Both of those skills rely on solid footwork.
Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Also, keep your palm off the ball. Your fingers should be all that is holding the ball when you pass it or shoot it.
Work on passing in a direction you are not looking. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team. If you can pull it off, it’s effective to draw your opponents away from the shooter. That way the shooter gets a great look before shooting. It really can be a powerful technique.
Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.
Strength Training
In basketball, strength is important, so do strength training. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player. Children that are young are also able to get benefits from getting stronger arms and legs if they exercise right. As they age, begin adding weights to their exercise routine. Strength training is essential once you reach the adult years.
For your weaker hand, to build skills, use it off-court for as much as you can, from brushing teeth to opening jars. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. This is bound to carry over to the court.
Practice a variety of shots from different locations on the court. The first thing to do is work on balance and grip. Off-balance shooting can happen, but it’s not as accurate. Utilize the basketball’s air valve as a way to improve your grip. Spread your dominant hand’s fingers, and place the center of it over the valve that’s at the the ball’s center.
If you’re determined to do good at basketball, then you have to watch your diet. Carbs, fats and proteins all keep your energy levels at the right place. One way to keep your body in basketball shape is to incorporated grains and proteins into your diet. Sugars and salt should be used sparingly.
Do not double dribble. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling. When you stop, you have to shoot or pass. You can’t pick up the dribble again. This will make a turnover occur which means the opponent will get the ball.
To help maintain your balance when catching a rebound, try to land with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold the ball with two hands tightly against your chest. Be careful with your elbows as hitting someone on the other team will be a foul.
Whether you simply enjoy basket or live, breath, and eat the sport, you are sure to find value in what you’ve read. Focus on one area at a time and enjoy the steady success. Try to make every basketball shot count, learn how to pass like a professional and how to improve your rebounds.