TIP! Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Use fingertips to dribble.

What should you know about playing basketball? What will help me to perfect my game? These tips will help you become better in no time the next time you’re on the court.

TIP! Learn the mechanics of a free throw. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t.

Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. It is difficult playing without dribbling; however, it helps the team make better passes. The accuracy of passes will greatly improve over time and the drill will become a lot easier.

TIP! You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands.

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. 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. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.

TIP! Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Almost 80% of shots will be layups.

Make use of hand signals so that wild passes can be avoided. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball. Hand signals can tell you if your teammate is ready. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.

TIP! Free throws are as mental as physical. Your body can be trained to make free throws, but your mind has to be focused on success if you want to make the basket.

Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. Do you do something really good? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

TIP! Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be lined up with the rim.

TIP! Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in.

Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Don’t get yourself down about your performance, but stay honest with yourself concerning where your game needs some work. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.

TIP! Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way.

To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. This will train your weaker hand to dribble and control the ball well.

TIP! Knowing your opponent is the best way to play a tough defensive game. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game.

Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can stay stationary, catch all the ball, and shoot them from that same location. Things rarely happen unless you are actually moving the basketball.

TIP! Focus on your footwork and core strength when working out. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games.

To rebound a free throw, you have to be quick. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender. In this way you can get the rebound without a foul.

TIP! Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds.

To trap someone in a 2-3 zone, get your guards to wait for the point guard to get about 10 feet past midcourt. Then they should run to the point guard and trap him. Your forwards can sprint to block the player on both sides. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.

TIP! Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed.

If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. All other three point lines are closer than what the NBA uses. If you can hit from NBA range, you can get open looks at a deeper range than a defense is probably going to mind you (until you start hitting).

TIP! Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. To practice this skill, bounce the ball between your legs so that it passes through as you step back and forth.

The hand not used to dribble the ball should serve as a wall separating the ball from the opposing players. You don’t want to be pushing any of your opponents (that’s a foul), but you can use that non-dribbling arm as a separator to keep the ball safe. Keep your other arm up slightly while you dribble.

TIP! Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting.

Be certain to practice moves off the court that will truly help you on the court. You could, for instance, work on your sprint so you can perform plays faster, while running on a longer distance will help you build your stamina. Working out with weights helps to improve your muscles and the physical part of the game. The aggression and confidence you get from this can also assist you more than most things if you’re shooting.

TIP! In order to improve your weaker hand, make use of it for everyday things, such as brushing your teeth, eating out of a spoon, etc. Being more dexterous means you will have better control.

Now, do you have some of the answers that you wanted? Are you ready to take the court by storm? Utilize this advice each time you play basketball. Continue to practice and use the above advice and enjoy the outcome.