Dribbling Isn’t Enough – Great Tips To Improve Basketball Skills

When you first played the game of basketball, it was a whole new world. You were finding your way around shooting, dribbling and passing. Now you may feel that you know quite a bit about the game. Keep reading though, you just might find out there’s a lot more to learn.

Learn to correctly dribble the ball. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.

Practice your bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. Of course, there are factors that should be taken into consideration when passing using the bouncing technique.

You want to always be aware of foot placement and what you’re doing. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. Going too many steps with no dribbling is a waking call and turnover situation. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.

In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. You are able to rebound the ball without fouling someone.

Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This might not seem possible, but if you can do it your speed and length will strengthen. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.

Remain low when playing defense. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly. Maintain this low stance with arms raised until a shot or high pass is made. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.

Whether you keep possession of the ball or not is based in your position just before and right after a rebound. Improve your balance a power by using both feet to jump and use both hands to grab the ball. When the ball has rebounded, you want both feet to be more than shoulder width apart so that you can keep your balance.

Try to force your opponent to rely on their non-dominant hand. Move towards their right side so they must dribble with their weaker left hand. Keep your head inline with their shoulders, that way you will be low, and in a good position to take the ball.

When you shoot, try to stay calm. Keep focused on the basket. Condition your focus on the backside of the rim during the times when you shoot. But if you want to do a layup, just pay attention to where you need to bounce the ball on the back board.

You need to learn to pass effectively in order to play a better game of basketball. You can confuse the opposition with your passes. Your teammates will be happy when you prove you’re about the team. The time in games for you to showcase your personal talents will present itself. Those moments will come, but you need to be a team player first and foremost.

All great basketball players must master pivoting. Work on your footwork to be able to move smoothly. Practice by standing in a pivoting stance until the ball is thrown to you.

A penetrating dribble is the key to beating a team that’s playing a zone defense. If you or another player can find a crease in the zone, the other team will have to swarm to the ball. If you’re in the paint, take the shot. However, if your teammate is open to make an easy shot, pass it to him.

Always force your opponent’s action towards the sideline when you are on defense. If you allow your opponent to work along the center of the floor, there’s no telling what will happen. If you are able to, move them towards the sideline. This will give them less options.

Never argue with a ref. Do not hesitate to ask questions or explain why you do not agree. Being confrontational isn’t going to get you very far. The officials are tasked with a difficult job, so you need to exercise patience and continue to play.

With all the advice you have now, there is no limit to where you can go. Keep in mind that it takes work and a lot of practice to be a great basketball player. Apply what you have learned in this article to help yourself become a better basketball player.

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