TIP! Free throws are mental as well as physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set.

Have you ever thought that you’d like to be a professional basketball player someday? Instead of just wishing to be a professional player, you should start learning about the game so that you can actually become a great player. Read on to learn how to go about doing this.

TIP! To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass.

Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Use fingertips to dribble. This allows you to control the ball much better while you dribble. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.

TIP! Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected.

Practice your layup shot often. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. When you are practicing, run full speed at the goal and make the shot. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.

Free Throw

TIP! During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles.

Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

TIP! Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in.

Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. That is not a problem. You are able to do a lot with solo games. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket.

If you have a child that is strength training for basketball, their core muscles should be properly developed. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. The core links the upper and lower extremities and without a strong one, their athletic performance will be limited. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.

TIP! If you wish to get a free throw rebound from a teammate, you have to stay on your toes properly. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound.

Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage. Steady drilling is the key to playing fast. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. If you play beyond your speed, the game gets out of control, with errant passes and turnovers.

TIP! Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This might not seem possible, but if you can do it your speed and length will strengthen.

Practice looking the other way when passing. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It can be a really powerful move in the game.

TIP! Take charges whenever possible. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball.

When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.

TIP! If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. All other distance lines, high school, college and International, are not as far.

Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. Which plays are made shouldn’t be up to them. If you allow this, they will run over you. Try to interrupt their game plan by taking charge and controlling the tempo.

TIP! Practice dribbling as you sway your body from side to side. Real game dribbling has a lot of variety.

Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. Taking charges gives you a chance for earning a defensive stop, gives your team the ball, and gives one more foul called in your favor. It can be a momentum changer by making the other team think twice about dribbling the ball into the lane.

TIP! Use the non-dribbling hand to create a buffer between the ball and your opposition. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it.

If you wish to get your weaker hand built up, you need to use it to brush your teeth and to do other simple tasks. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you. This will show in your next match.

TIP! Try different shots from different places on the basketball court. The first thing to do is work on balance and grip.

Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. The standard line and college lines are much closer. If you’re able to get the shot from where the NBA shoots, then you can start working from a range further than the defense expects.

TIP! You need to be able to alter your opponents path. Whether you’re playing offense or defense, controlling what the other player does is essential.

Keep dribbling until you’re ready to either pass or shoot. Standing there without dribbling takes away most of your options on offense. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.

TIP! For the best balance, make sure you land with your feet spread apart. Keep your hands on either side of the ball and hold it tight to your chest.

After going through this article you should be able to practice a number of things. Go into each practice ready to work, and know that with consistency you will improve your game. Play your best game of basketball using the information you learned here.