The Great Things That Basketball Can Bring To You

If you feel like you could benefit from some advice about bettering your basketball game, this article can help you. It's time to lace up and get out there to make improvements each time you practice. Even if you just play for fun, wouldn't you like to stop the defense or be able to better make that shot?

Always protect the ball when you are in possession of it. Keep your dribble off to the side of your body to make it more difficult for another player to steal the ball. While you generally want to avoid dribbling in front of you, you can do so if there are no other players in your immediate vicinity.

Never pass the ball and stand still. This is a mistake most often made by those new to the game of basketball. Once you've passed the ball, you need to work to get into the best position possible to be passed to again or to grab a rebound from a shot.

When shooting, always arc the shot, never throw straight. You have a much better chance of making your baskets when there is an arc on your shots. If you do not know how much arc to put into your shooting, find one that works best for you during practice and try to consistently produce the same arc during games.

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.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they're working on their core muscles. The core muscles include the lower back, hips and abdonimals. These muscles form a bridge across the lower and upper parts of your body. When the core is weak, it is difficult to coordinate the movements of both halves. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. This can be prevented through the use of hand signals. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.

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.

How confident are you that you can get out there and put these tips to use? This article has explained many strategies for improving your game, and now it's up to you to make it happen. It takes time and practice, but you can do it. Get on the court and use that energy!