What does it take to be a great basketball player? The fact is that it requires more than just talent. You have to practice, learn and work hard to be able to become a basketball great. Start by reading this article in full to absorb all the advice it provides you.
Every shot should have an arc. The ball should arc at the highest point, then began descending toward the goal. This arc helps keep the ball on course. Learn how to consistently shoot using the same arc for best results. As you practice, you will learn what works best for you.
When dribbling, try to keep the ball low to the ground. This makes it more difficult for opponents to steal the ball away from you while dribbling. Keep the ball low and pass it from hand to hand while weaving in and out through your opponents. This will help you maintain control of the ball.
Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. Pay attention to dominant hands. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.
Always know where the other players are, both on your team and the opposition. You need to know who is close enough to steal the ball from you, who you can pass to and who might be able to rebound if you miss. Staying on top of the game means knowing the lay of the land.
A great way to practice the fast break is to get the ball up the court in less than five dribbles. It may seem impossible, but the more you practice this rule, the easier it becomes. During game time you will notice yourself using this to your advantage during the fast break.
Become a great athlete. There are few great basketball players out there who aren’t also superb athletes in general. This is a very athletic sport, so prepare for it by playing all sorts of athletic games. This can be running, swimming, cycling, you name it. All of these sports will add to your abilities on the court.
It is important that you learn to dribble the ball without staring at your hand as you do it. If your eyes are always on the ball, you can’t see who is around you. That will leave you open to having the ball stolen by a defender when you are least expecting it.
You need to take a charge anytime you can. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball. This is a great way to take control of the court and intimidate the other team.
Repetition in shooting is important to success. Once you perfect your shot, being able to repeat it will ensure you can score often. Practice repetition by laying on your back and resting the ball on the fingertips of your shooting hand. From this position, “shoot” the ball and practice getting the proper spin and rotation.
Keep your knees bent while dribbling. Standing while dribbling will make it much easier for the opponent to steal the ball from you. Bending your knees will make a big difference in the way you can control the ball.
To play man-to-man defense, it is important to know where your man, the ball, and the basket all are. This keeps your man from sneaking behind you for a back-door pass, and it also allows you to steal over and help when the ball is across the court from your man.
Be flexible in your body movements. You’ve probably already noticed that when you try to guard someone who is in a stiff position and stays very still, that it is easier to guard them and take the ball. Those who are flexible and always moving around are much more difficult to catch.
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.
Balance is key to taking a shot. When you jump, you should find that you land with both feet at the same time on the ground. You should also feel as if you are heading towards the net slightly when you are in the air. As you take a shot, close your eyes so you can feel what your body is doing.
Understand that your importance as a player does not mean that you are more important than any other member of the team. Even if you are the person who makes most of the goals, you would not have that chance without the support of your teammates and all of the other team supporters who make your team possible.
Be careful when attempting to get a rebound off a very long shot. A lot of power goes into launching the ball in the air that far away, and this often leads to very powerful rebounds once the ball hits its mark. They traditionally go wild and can hurt you if you are in the way.
When you dribble, always use your fingertips, not your palms. If you use your palms, you have no control of where that dribble is going. Using your fingertips gives you greater control on the dribble and will make you more effective in getting down the court. Using your fingertips also allows you to grab the dribble quicker to make an easy unguarded shot.
If you want to be a top star on the court, use these tips to better your game. Practice every day so that you can learn them through and through. If you start to use expert advice when you play, you will find that you become an expert yourself over time.
