Learn The Skills The Basketball Pros Use

Basketball is an incredibly popular sport. Millions of spectators watch championship games on TV and just as many root for their own smaller high school teams and leagues. Everyone wants to be part of a winning team so if you are a player, you want to give your fans something to really cheer about. So here are some tips to help you improve your game and to score some points for your team and for those who are there to cheer you on.

To become a better dribbler in basketball, practice with your eyes closed. This will help you to be able to dribble while keeping a close watch on the action of the game. Be sure to practice while youre moving too, so that you can dribble and maneuver around the court without ever having to look down at the ball.

When you rebound in basketball, make sure you make contact before your opponent.
Youll 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 youre always first. This will provide you with an edge.

Exercise

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 cant use your eyes for this exercise, so you will learn to dribble without looking at your hands.

Speed and agility is important, but you need to know how to practice to improve those skills. Running yourself ragged by training for long lengths of time or by running long distances wont benefit your play on the court. Instead, practice sprints and other short bursts of exercise. This better mimics how on the court play really is.

If you want to become a better basketball player, exercise your forearms and your wrists whenever you possibly can. This will significantly help you with your ball handing and control. A strong dribbler always has strong forearms. Practice wrist curls in your exercise routine to improve forearm and wrist strength.

Nutrition

Fueling your body with good nutrition is important for you to play your best in basketball. Include protein, vegetables and complex carbohydrates as part of your training diet. Avoid high sugar drinks because they may provide quick energy but they will quickly let you down later in the game. Drink plenty of water to make sure you stay hydrated.

Never underestimate the importance of proper nutrition and hydration. Your body needs proper nourishment to build muscles. Those muscles also need hydration and potassium to be able to keep from cramping up. You wouldnt play basketball with a ball half full of air, so dont play an important game without the proper nutrition and hydration.

After a grueling basketball practice or a tough game, it is essential to provide your body with the nutrition it needs to recover. Ideally, you should consume carbohydrates, and a small amount of protein within about 2 hours to promote muscle recovery and prevent fatigue. Healthy recovery snacks may include bananas, raisins or other fruits.

As you well know, basketball not only involves the player but includes the fans and spectators as well. They are there to cheer you on and to support you. So all players want to be able to give their fans something to stand up and cheer about. Everyone loves to celebrate a winning team. So keep the above tips in mind when you are on the court and you can help give those fans a season they will remember forever.