Many people enjoy the fast-pace and excitement of basketball. In order to be the best that you can be at basketball, there are some tips that you should know. This article will give you advice to assist you in becoming a better player.
Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.
Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail. Relax as you focus on making the shot, and soon you’ll be making more free throws.
Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Go to actual games or watch on TV. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.
Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another. Avoid this using hand signals to see if they can get the pass. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.
Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.
Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Knowing where the other players are on the court helps you open passing lanes and gives you more opportunities to take a shot.
Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.
Quickness is a key skill in basketball. If you can play quicker than the opposing team can, then you will be at an advantage. Fast play is a result of heavy drilling. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. If you play beyond your speed, the game gets out of control, with errant passes and turnovers.
Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn. In addition, if you move your feet and you don’t dribble, you will be called for walking. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.
Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. Did you spot something that could be improved? Honestly and openly assess your own performance. It is prudent that you look at yourself as others do and not as how you would like to be.
Practice passing while not looking in the direction of the pass. This throws your opponents off. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It can be quite powerful.
Good footwork will help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. By doing this, you can increase your chance to get the rebound despite starting in a disadvantageous position.
You can use your guards and point guard to trap an opponent with a 2-3 zone defense. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him. At the same time, have your forwards on the blocks sprint out to the players on the wings. You will see the opposing point guard make a bad pass that anyone on your team can steal.
As shown in this article, basketball is among the most loved sports around the world. The article also makes it clear that in order to play basketball well, you need to know the fundamentals. Use the information above to become a great basketball player.