TIP! A good way to improve team passing to use a no dribbling drill, that is to play the game without dribbling at all. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

Basketball is a great sport and it’s easy to learn about. You can learn the basics in less than a day. That said, to learn even advanced techniques, read on.

TIP! To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong.

Dribble the ball the right way. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Don’t look down, always look up.

TIP! Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Is there something that you excel at? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up.

Work on catching passes frequently. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. During a hectic game, every throw is not going to be perfect. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

TIP! Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

Make use of hand signals so that wild passes can be avoided. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass. Hand signals can tell you if your teammate is ready. If there is no signal, the player should not make the pass to them.

TIP! Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling.

Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball.

Quickness is a key skill in basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride.

If you wish to dribble the ball better, you have to start using your hand that’s considered the weak one. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Try tying the dominant hand behind you and forcing yourself to just using your weak hand. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.

TIP! Changing pace can help you keep the offense guessing. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up.

Perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearms and hands in order to maximize your ability to handle the ball. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Basketball requires its players to move quickly, shoot accurately and pass well. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.

TIP! You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Being physically tough is as important as having the stamina to keep up with the game.

To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. Dribbling fast allows you to keep better control of the ball and there is a slimmer chance of it being stolen from you. If you are being closely guarded, you should cease dribbling and pass the ball to an open member of your team.

TIP! Keep low as you defend. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier.

You want to strive in practice to bring the ball all the way up the court in no more than five dribbles. Although this might seem tricky in the beginning, this can really help your game if you can master this skill. If you master this, you will be able to quickly take layups.

TIP! To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. Being more dexterous means you will have better control.

Ensure that you have good court awareness. This is so that you’re able to catch passes, get shots in, and look at the scoreboard. Peripheral vision must be razor-honed. By seeing the court well, you can anticipate defensive moves as well as what all your teammates are doing. Good vision is vital to basketball success.

TIP! Always set your three-point shooting practice goal at the official NBA distance. The International standard line, as well as college and high school lines are all closer.

Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. When running toward the hoop, plant your leading foot and start to straighten up. Your defender is going to assume that you’re slowing your speed and will start straightening up, too. When that happens, push ahead and run past.

Strength Training

TIP! If you are a basketball player you should be eating a healthy diet. In order to be skilled at basketball you need to load up on carbs to give yourself plenty of energy.

Improve your basketball skills by incorporating strength training into your fitness regimen. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. It can help young kids get the exercise they need. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. It’s important to continue strength training when you are an adult to maintain your performance.

TIP! Double dribbling is a huge no-no. A double dribble is when you stop dribbling, then start again.

Be sure to keep your knees bent while you dribble. The ball is harder to control dribbling when you stand up straight. It also leaves you open to a steal from the opposing team. Just bending a little bit at your knees can really help you to control the ball better.

TIP! Your footwork is something that you need to practice. Understand how to pivot, defend and shoot.

Keep dribbling when you’re going to switch the body’s momentum from side to side. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise. You’ll have people guarding you on all sides. Learning to dribble effectively will help you in many different situations. By nailing this skill, you have a better chance to avoid a turnover.

TIP! When you’re playing defense, make sure that you’re always trying to keep pressure on the person that has the ball on the opposite team. When you are less than six feet away, the player can only hold the ball after he stops dribbling for no more than five seconds.

If possible, keep action beneath the knees. This will make it harder for opponents to get the ball away from you. This takes some stooping and bending, but just move quickly down the court as you thwart the opposition.

TIP! Concentration is key to building your skills. Pay close attention at drills and practices.

Maybe you are new to basketball. Perhaps you have played the game ever since you were that wee tyke on the court. Either way, this article will help you learn about playing. Use this advice when you get on the court next time.