Basketball is something tons of people enjoy. No matter if you prefer to watch games on television, play in a pick-up game on weekends or shoot baskets in the driveway, you likely know that basketball isn’t going anywhere. Naturally, most players strive to be excellent and help their team win. The following tips will help you improve your skills so you can win.
When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. Defense is how you win a basketball game. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.
Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.
Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.
Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. You won’t be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren’t in the right position. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.
A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. Doing so can cause the game to spin out of control as turnovers and faulty passes are made.
To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. As you adopt this routine, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.
Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle. If someone is close to you and is really good at guarding you, pass to another person that’s open.
Hopefully, now you understand what it takes to play better. Some are quite simple, for example you can learn new techniques and practice them assiduously. Practice is essential to mastering any of these, so be sure that you’ve got access to a hoop and try to play basketball when you can. You can perform drills by yourself of with your team, or you can mentor younger players. Any way you approach it, these activities will benefit your game.