Do you want to update your skills when it comes to playing basketball? If your game has become tired and out of date, the time has come to learn from the experts. To better your chances of winning in the future, continue reading all of the fresh ideas found in the article below.
When you dribble a basketball, you are supposed to use your fingertips. Many people think you are supposed to use your palm, but this is incorrect. Using the tips of your fingers when you are dribbling the ball will result in you being able to dribble more in a shorter amount of time.
Always protect the ball when you are in possession of it. Keep your dribble off to the side of your body to make it more difficult for another player to steal the ball. While you generally want to avoid dribbling in front of you, you can do so if there are no other players in your immediate vicinity.
Try practice rebound drills that will help you learn to rebound outside your area in basketball. Great rebounders will try to get the ball no matter its location. Poor rebounders will remain still and watch the ball since they think they can’t reach it. To learn rebounding out of your area, run some drills that causes the ball to go far away from you. One way is to throw it off the back board and go after it.
When dribbling, make sure to keep your head straight up. If you find that you keep looking down at the ball, you haven’t practiced dribbling enough. You need to gain the advantage of being able to see the court while dribbling. Then you can surprise your opponent with smart passes and quick drives to areas where they are not.
Practicing with your team is important, but don’t overlook the value of daily practice on your own. Set up a daily practice time for yourself and stick to your schedule. Practice footwork, shooting, and dribbling. It is also important to include strength training and endurance training in your practice schedule.
When playing basketball, remember that you are playing on a team. Don’t be a “ball hog.” A team is like a support system and your teammates are there to help you and you should be there to help them. The objective of the game is to work together to beat the opponent.
It is important to practice all the different types of basketball shots. Practice a combination of long shots, layups and short shots. This will help you become a great all-around basketball shooter. Additionally, you should practice free throw shots during your practice. By learning the different techniques, you can ensure you play well during the game.
Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. You should try a back pass. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Then do a wrist flick in the same direction that you want the ball to end up. This helps trick your opponents.
Never leave the practice court without taking some practice shots. Do some free throws, lay-ups and 3-point throws every practice before you leave. Of course you are doing some shooting during practice, but this additional practice will help you in the long run. Keep practicing your shooting on a daily basis.
Jump on the ground and dive for those loose balls. Don’t be afraid to hit the ground hard and get a little hustle on. Not only will this help the team, but the coach will surely notice your improved effort. Team moral is always a good thing to keep in high numbers.
Build your core strength and work on your footwork. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.
There may be sneaky or subversive moves that you can make in an attempt to won a game but they are not worth it. Your teammates and fans deserve a player to be proud of, not one whose actions they have to defend. Be a player that your team and the opposing team can both respect.
To shoot a basketball outdoors, you have to be ready for the conditions. On the blacktop, the wind can send your shot off, so as you start shooting around beforehand, get used to factoring that wind in by aiming to one side or the other. This will boost your accuracy.
In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.
Pay attention to who has the hot hand. If a player on either team makes more than two or three consecutive baskets they are “on fire” as the saying goes. If they’re on your team, do what you can to make sure their streak keeps going to help your team. If it’s an opponent, put a little more defensive pressure on him.
Try not to pass the ball further than about 18 feet. If you go longer, you will find that it is easier for the ball to be intercepted by the other team. Shorter passes will always be more successful, so try to stand close to whomever you are passing to.
The ideas in this article may be practical, but they are also highly efficient. You can update your skills and look like a master on the court when you start to use the tips you’ve read here. Every shot will hit its mark time and time again thanks to your knowledge.