Many people love the enjoyable sport of basketball. But, excelling at the game is not simple. Basketball is fun for anyone who chooses to play it. The following tips will help you learn more about the sport in general.
Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Don’t look down, always look up.
Learn the best way to make your free throws. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult. Practice constantly using this tip. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.
If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important. When you are in position, you must secure your spot. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.
Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. What areas are your strong points? Maybe you are quick like lightening or maybe you are a strong defender. Learn what other’s see as your natural skills and make sure to keep and develop those skills more fully.
One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. Watch taped games, and keep current with scouting reports. Also know which is their dominant and weak hands. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. A smart defensive player is a strong one.
To gain greater dribbling skill, always practice with the weaker hand as well as the more dominant one. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. Soon, you will be able dribble with your weaker hand as well as you can with your dominant hand.
Perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearms and hands in order to maximize your ability to handle the ball. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. Don’t believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. While this does happen on occasion, you should be moving in order to execute the play.
To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. As you see the defender moving in, quickly slip around to grab the ball. Doing this lets you get a rebound freely and not commit a foul in the process.
Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This will help you to gain speed, stride length and control of the ball. It will allow you to execute easy layups.
Do you want to show off your skills? Perhaps you need a bit of practice first. Get energized, motivated, and excited and then get out on the court! You will soon begin to see the advice you got here will help you to improve your game.