When playing basketball, the goal is to get better and better. That being said, wouldn’t you like to learn a few tips and tricks to help you out? Keep reading so that you can find out some great information so that you can take those other players to school, so to speak. Really practice the types of shots that you’d get in a typical game experience.

Yes, it’s fun to play HORSE and try crazy shots, but that’s not prepping you for actual game play. You want to get the types of shots you usually see down cold. Practice them over and over. When you have the ball, make sure you change your direction frequently. The entire court is open to you, and it is important to take advantage of that fact. As you move to the right or the left, make sure you shift your weight accordingly to have the easiest experience moving with the ball. When you dribble, make sure that you use fingertips instead of palms. This gives you much more control over the ball. Using your palms can cause the ball to go all over the place on the court, whereas using your fingertips keeps it under your control when you have to run. Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. When you find a player who has the skills that you want, then watch them and emulate. Try yoga to improve your basketball game. You might not want to tell your teammates about it, since some of them are going to likely laugh. However, the increased flexibility and agility you get helps prevent injuries or at least leaves able to get back up quicker when you get knocked down. Don’t laugh; Kareem Abdul-Jabaar used it to extend his NBA career.

When you play basketball, be sure that you remain properly hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after playing. Becoming dehydrated can negatively affect your game and your health. It is possible to lose up to 2% of your body weight through dehydration. That can also cause between a 10% and 20% decrease in your athletic performance. Where loose fitting shorts and a sports shirt that lets you move. Basketball is a very physical sport. There’s a lot of running, a lot of physical contact, and a ton of jumping. You want to wear clothes that let you move as well as possible. If you don’t, you’ll find your time on the court to be pretty miserable. 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. Always keep your eyes up when dribbling the basketball. You need to be looking for a lot of things when dribbling.

First, you want to be able to see teammates open for a good pass. You also want to be looking for any weaknesses in the defense, especially in transition. If you are in a defensive position, keep yourself low. This stance will keep you ready for whatever comes your way.

Remain in a good defensive stance always. You should return to this position immediately after leaving it to block or defend. To make your weaker hand stronger, play non-competitive basketball games with only your weak hand. The more you practice with it, especially in a real game, the better your skills will become. This is a great way to become more ambidextrous than you are without risking a loss in a competitive game. Lateral quickness is a very important part of becoming a good basketball player. You have to be able to move to your left and right quickly on both offense and defense. You can practice and improve your lateral quickness by moving left to right and back as quickly as possible with training exercises. Hit the gym and do arm curls during your workout. Weighted arm curls will help build the strength and elasticity of the biceps and triceps. This helps to improve passing distance, as well as shooting distance. The forearms also benefit from curls by allowing you to better control and manipulate the ball. Keep all motion below the knees if possible.

The other team’s players will have a difficult time stealing the basketball from you. Practice moving quickly while dribbling below knee level. Keep your eyes on the court when you dribble. You want to be able to see an open teammate to pass the ball to, and you will also be able to keep an eye out for people trying to take the ball from you. Get very good at dribbling while keeping your eyes up. One way to force turnovers is to make your opponent change course. Regardless of whether you play defense or offense, the ability to control the other team creates a significant advantage. Doing so lets you control your path, not them. Now that you’ve read this article, you should now be excited about using the tips on the basketball court. Remember that you must practice what you read, so get motivated so you can become a better player. There is always room for improvement, and you’re about to step it up.