What is there to learn when it comes to basketball? How should I educate myself so that I can turn into a better player? Here you’ll get a lot of info on basketball and great tips to help you. Read on to increase those skills all that you can.

When handling the ball, make sure you spread out your fingers. This makes it less likely that the ball will slip away from you. Also, keep your palm from making contact with the ball. Only your fingers should be involved in the process of getting the ball to where you want it to go.

Practice dribbling the ball on a number of different surfaces. As you get used to how the ball reacts, you will be able to adjust your game accordingly. How you handle the ball can make or break the game. Turnovers lead to points that your team may not be able to recover from, so your skills in this area need to be solid.

Look forward when dribbling. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven’t practiced enough. Take your basketball everywhere. If you walk to the store, dribble the ball. If you look at the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.

Practice passing drills as a team. Basketball is a team sport first and foremost. You’ve got five people on the court with the same common goal. Teams that are great at passing can really break up a defense making it much easier to get into good scoring positions. You’ll definitely win much more than you lose when you work as a team.

When learning to dribble, you need to learn to dribble with both hands. This is important because you may have to switch hands when dribbling during a game. Also, learn to dribble behind your back and between an opponent’s legs. This may seem silly, but you may actually use this technique.

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.

You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. Playing the game without the use of dribbling is a challenge, but it can help you and your team learn to make more precise passes. Do not get frustrated if it it seems difficult at first, over time your team’s passes will become more accurate.

If you are the parent of a young up and coming basketball player, make sure the coach you trust them with isn’t too obsessed about winning. Although this may sound counterproductive, it’s actually more important that your son or daughter be encouraged thoughtfully and with care, rather than screamed at and threatened. Check out the reputation of any coach first.

Always keep your head up while dribbling. You will not be able to see an open teammate if you are looking at the ball. You also will not be able to see what kinds of defenses the opposing team is playing if you are looking at the ball while dribbling.

Master the stop and shoot. Basketball is so much about movement that sometimes the most effective manner to get clear of an opponent is to surprise them with no movement at all. Master dribbling up court fast and when you hit a mark you’re comfortable with, stop short, pull up and shoot. Your opponent will find it tough to stop their forward movement, so you’ll have a clear look at the basket.

If you want to make the most of your layup, push up from the foot that is opposite the hand you will shoot from. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.

Practice the three key things around the basket: dribbling, shooting, and rebounding. Everyone loves to shoot the basketball, but it’s only one part of a basketball game. You need to master all three of the things here to be a great player. If you only know how to shoot, you won’t last long on the court for a real game.

A good rebound player can be a huge advantage for his team. Rebounding is about attitude more that skill. Think of every shot as a potential miss and be ready to position yourself to get the ball. Be alert for team members who are in a good position to make the shot.

Have you found the answers you seek? Are you now ready to play some B-ball? Can you handle becoming an even better basketball player as a result of reading this article? Continue to practice and use the above advice and enjoy the outcome.