Basketball is more than just an activity you run around in during gym class. You can play it at home, or at the local recreation center. When you love basketball, use this article to learn as much as you can.
For lightening fast dribbling, just like the pros, only use your finger tips on the ball. When you use all of your fingers, your dribbling will be much slower. Make this a part of your daily practice sessions until it becomes second nature to dribble with only the tips of your fingers.
When handling the ball, make sure you spread out your fingers. This makes it less likely that the ball will slip away from you. Also, keep your palm from making contact with the ball. Only your fingers should be involved in the process of getting the ball to where you want it to go.
As you dribble, bring your body down just a little closer to the ground. This will make it easier to bounce the ball. If the ball has a shorter distance to travel between the ground and your hand, you are less likely to make a mistake that leads to a turnover.
Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.
It is important to stay focused during the game. If you miss a shot, brush it off and continue with the game. Although you may feel bad about missing a shot, it is important to regain your focus quickly and continue on. Remember that even the professionals miss shots.
Make use of hand signals so that wild passes can be avoided. It can be frustrating to attempt to pass the ball to a team mate as that person is heading toward the basket. Hand signals help ensure that the player is ready to take the ball. If no signal is displayed, a pass ought not be made.
Never try to score the point at the expense of shutting other players out. You are part of a team which means everyone is valued. It means working together and sometimes playing a minor part in another player’s winning shot. Just remember that your team can’t win if you are the only one to make shots.
To rebound a free throw attempt by the other team, you get the advantage of having four people on the lane, as opposed to three for the other team. Take advantage by boxing out, putting your body on the person next to you and moving him away from the basket. This gives you the best chance at grabbing a board.
Always keep your eyes up when dribbling the basketball. You need to be looking for a lot of things when dribbling. First, you want to be able to see teammates open for a good pass. You also want to be looking for any weaknesses in the defense, especially in transition.
Know your place on the team and play it. You may be better as a support player than as the one who can dunk the basketball. That doesn’t mean you will never make a winning shot, it just means that you don’t neglect other players or interfere with them in pursuit of scoring points.
Alternating your pace is critical to keeping the defense guessing. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body. The guard is sure to anticipate a slow-down and will then straighten their own body. When they do this, push yourself forward and take the chance to run by them.
To win the game you need to take good shots. Good shots are when you have an open arc to the goal with a high-percentage of scoring. No other players on your team should have a better shot than the one you are taking. Otherwise, it’s not a good shot.
Always attempt to remain low when you are playing defense. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier. You must always utilize the proper defensive stance. When you block a shot, go back to a defensive form quickly.
In order for a basketball team to play well together each player should be good at passing the ball. If you can’t make a simple pass then it is much easier for the opponent to defend you. Not only will passing help advance the ball down court quicker, it sets up your teammates for wide open shots.
Never take your eyes off the net when you are performing a layup. Jump off the opposite foot of the hand you plan to use for your layup. That gets you well up into the air and keeps you protected from the opposition as you head for the net.
Follow through on the shots you take. Don’t just lob the ball up there and quickly drop your hands. Let your hands go full the motion completely. Even the last touch of the ball can give it just the right spin to get a lucky bounce. Be sure you repeat this motion every time.
Whether for casual play, for competition, or just for a shoot around, improving your basketball skills will make it more fun to play. You’ve taken the time to read this article, now go one step further by making use of it. If you can better your game, why not do so?
