Use These Tips To Become A Better Basketball Player

Free throws require as much mental focus as physical skill. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.

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.

If you play serious team basketball, jump rope for thirty minutes before practice sessions. You'll get used to playing basketball already winded and tired. Doing this can make you very prepared to make shots in late game situations, as your conditioning is already a notch above anyone else just showing up to practice.

Be careful not to travel when dribbling the basketball. Traveling occurs when you take too many steps in between dribbles. It's most likely to happen when going up for a shot. Just one extra step will mean the difference between a score and a turnover, so practice shooting as often as you can.

In order to shoot the basketball properly, you need to have good balance. For starters, to have a good base, you need to keep your feet roughly one shoulder length apart. Next, have your stronger foot half a step in front of the other foot. Finally, make sure your head is centered.

A player's free-throw percentage is generally much higher than their field goal percentage. While part of this has to do with being in action with defenders right on you when shooting field goals, the other part is the dedicated form and practice put into this "free" shot. Be sure you spend some time practicing your free throws during each practice.

Play full-court basketball whenever you can. If you love playing, then you probably know a half-dozen spots where you can play street ball or playground pick-up games. While these are good, they don't give you the practice or experience of getting down the whole court. This matters in fast break situations, both offensive and defensive.

To make sure that you protect your ankles while you play basketball, wear shoes that are a little bit higher around them and lace them up. If you play in lower shoes, it is very easy to turn your ankle. Higher shoes keep you out on the court playing longer.

Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent's play. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Use aggression with your moves. Do not allow them to pick and choose their plays. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. Instead, disrupt their rhythm by making the first move.

Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you. Stop dribbling when people guard you too closely.

Work on getting the ball down the length of a full court with five or fewer dribbles during drills. This might not seem possible, but if you can do it your speed and length will strengthen. This can mean easy lay-ups on fast breaks, or just give your team numbers for a moment.

Never stop your dribble unless you are going to shoot or pass the ball. Standing there without dribbling takes away most of your options on offense. Your only option, besides shooting or passing, is to use your back foot to pivot. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and try get the ball away from you.

Maybe you recently learned the rules of the game. Perhaps you were good at basketball already. No matter the case, the information below can help you play better. Use the information from this article to help improve your game.

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