Want To Be A Better Basketball Player? Use These Tips!

So you want to improve your basketball playing skills and don't know where to begin. The good news is that here you will find excellent advice that the pros use to help them get better at basketball. Continue ahead to the following article that shows you what the pros do in order be a better basketball player.

When you rebound in basketball, make sure you make contact before your opponent.

You'll be in control of what occurs if you are the first to make contact when boxing out. Hit them first before they get a chance to make contact with you so that you can get leverage. Be sure to anticipate and be sure you're always first. This will provide you with an edge.

Work on flexibility. Flexibility is very important during basketball. This is because you may have to stretch to grab a ball that is in the air. Additionally, increased flexibility helps protect your tendons and joints from the damage caused during this fast playing sport. Do flexibility exercises often and always stretch before beginning any game.

If your child has a hard time learning to dribble a basketball with their fingertips, you can try using naugahyde gloves. They will help them learn proper dribbling since it forces them to use their fingers instead of their palms. Eventually, they will learn to just use their wrists and fingers. You can find these gloves in sporting goods stores or online.

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.

If you are going to get rebounds in basketball, it is important to get between the person you are guarding and the basket. Then back up against that person and start moving him away from the basket. This way, if he tries to go through you or over you to get the rebound, he has to foul you.

Be careful about trying to block shots. In most organized leagues, blocking the shot on the way down or when in the imaginary cylinder above the net results in a goaltending call. This just gives the opponent the attempted points, whether they would have made the shot or not anyway.

In order to be more reliable shooting free throws, practice your routine. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else. As long as it's quick, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your "ritual."

Want to try a drill which will really work you out? Try dribbling with two balls at once! This will help you learn to master dribbling with both hands, plus it will build your arm muscles very quickly. You can't use your eyes for this exercise, so you will learn to dribble without looking at your hands.

To get a good workout at practice, dribble back and forth on the court. Start by running to the free throw line cheap basketball hoops, then go back to the end of the court. Then dribble to the middle and then go back, then to the far free throw line and then go back again, and then the entire length of the court.

Passing the ball is a necessary part of basketball. You should practice a variety of passing options and work to determine which pass is best for each situation. Try to make the simplest pass possible to ensure a successful transfer of the ball to a teammate. Pass the ball when your teammate is in a better position on the court or when you are being closely defended.

A bounce pass is a good option if you are being heavily defended by one opponent. A defender who does not see the bounce pass coming will be thrown off his game. Keep your bounce passes as simple as possible to avoid a turnover. This maneuver helps get the ball to a teammate who is in a better position to score.

If your defender is playing you low, pass the ball to teammates using the overhead pass. Be aware of where your teammate will catch the ball. If you throw it too low, the ball will be uncontrollable. If you throw it too high, your teammate may not catch the ball at all.

Always run when entering or exiting the court. It doesn't matter if the situation is a time out or a substitution. Never, ever show an opponent that you are worn down or tired. The psychological warfare of basketball is always waged, whether the clock is ticking down or not.

Try to place the air valve of the ball in the middle of your hand when you are taking a shot. This is the center of the ball and therefore the perfect center for your shot. If you can do this, you will find you have better control of the ball.

Don't try to block a shot unless you are absolutely sure. A poorly timed block attempt can result in a goaltend or even a foul. A lot of coaches will even tell you that it's better to just block out and try for the defensive rebound after a missed shot.

It is as important to guard a player who doesn't have the ball as it is to guard those who do. If you leave that person, they may be passed the ball and can take the shot without you being prepared. Always treat the person you are guarding as if they are about to score.

As stated in the above article, to become a better basketball player and better your skills you need great advice. Every good basketball players have received great advice at one time or another, and the tips you learned here will help to improve your game. Get out on the court and practice those skills!