Basketball is a fun sport that a lot of people enjoy playing all over the world. But in order to play it well you need to practice. If you’re in search of different tips to learn so you can improve your basketball playing skills you have come to the right place. Read on for expert basketball tips.
When you are dribbling the ball, be sure that you are doing so with your head up. If you have your eyes on the ball instead while you are dribbling it, you cannot keep an eye on those defending you. This could lead to them stealing the ball away from you.
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.
Never adopt the attitude that the shoes make the player. The latest and supposedly greatest basketball shoes on the market are probably overrated and not truly tested. They also are likely made in the same factory as cheaper shoes that aren’t name brand. Just focus on a decent pair of shoes and the concentrate on your skills.
Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.
Picking the right basketball shoe can be very important to your game. If you need support for your ankles, choose a high top sneaker. Make sure that the sole of the shoe has enough traction to prevent slipping. Always buy a shoe that is the correct size by having your feet measured at a sporting goods store.
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.
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.
In order to steal a ball from a dribbler without fouling him, start with your hands low and bring them up toward the ball. This way you hit the ball first with your hand and knock it away. If you start with your hands high and swipe downward, you are going to hit his arm and get called for a foul.
To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time. As long as it’s quick, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your “ritual.”
Patience can be a key component to getting the best shot. Taking a perimeter jump shot from near the three point line while early into the offense is probably not the best idea. Instead, get into your half court set and begin looking for the open shot. Look down low for an easy basket or outside for an open three point shot.
To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. Using both hands to dribble makes you a more effective player, especially when you’re trying to get past your opponent. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.
Never pass up a charging opportunity. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.
Box out every opportunity that you can. If you do not box out, you are going to find yourself sitting warmly on the bench after every break. When the rebound is there, take charge and get the coach’s attention with your awesome skill. Work this out in practice and apply it during the game.
Bend the knees when you dribble a basketball. The ball is harder to control dribbling when you stand up straight. It also leaves you open to a steal from the opposing team. Just a little bending at the knees can make a huge difference in your overall ball control.
A good place to start in basketball is to understand how to play defense. Usually the teams that win in the pros all play great defense. The reason being is that defense is usually much more consistent than offense. It’s a lot harder to make a shot than it is to defend one. Help your team win more, and learn defense!
The best rebounders can guess where a ball will go. As you practice, throw a ball at the net and see how it reacts. After a while you will begin to see patterns which will help you expect where you should be when the ball goes over the net and comes back at you.
As you can see from the above article anyone can improve their basketball playing skills with a few simple tips. All you need to do is practice as much as possible and you too, can master the skills that the pros possess. Hopefully what you learned here has provided you incentive to practice these tips.