Basketball is loved millions of people across the globe. It may not have the exposure that other sports like soccer have achieved, but it still a fan favorite in many households. If you have ever watched a basketball game with the family and wished that you were able to play as well as the pros, you should continue reading.
Dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. You retain much more ball control this way. Dribble off to the side waist high. Always look up and never look down at the ground.
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.
Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team. Learn what your strengths are, then practice to perfection!
Once you’ve passed the basketball while on offense, consider doing a hard cut straight towards the basket. Sometimes this action will break your man-to-man coverage or, at the very least, confuse the zone you are playing against. It can open you up for an easy lay up or distract the defense long enough for an easy perimeter shot for whoever currently has the ball.
To improve your basketball dribbling skills, set cones out on the court and practice dribbling in and out of the cones. Go from one end of the court to the other at different speeds to enhance your ball control. After you have been up and down the court several times, practice stopping and shooting from various positions.
You should practice pass catching regularly. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones. When the pressure is on, not every pass will come straight to you. You and your team mates will be happier if you (and they) are more versatile.
When prepping for the basketball season, walk around with the basketball as often as you can. Take the time to throw the ball from one hand to the other, and even flip it around your back. Your goal is to improve your hand/ball coordination so that the ball feels as if it’s part of you.
Keep in mind that basketball shoes don’t last forever. Ask questions at the store or do research to find out just how many games or months a good pair should last before needing replacement. You need to feel safe in the quality of your footwear when moving on the court.
If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.
Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Do they feel you are really good at something? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.
Now is the time to get the ball and hit the courts. Remember the ideas that you have read here and apply them during the game. Impress your friends and take the lead with each play that you make. You no longer have to be the last guy picked for the teams.