TIP! Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Go to actual games or watch on TV.

Even the NBA’s best players don’t know everything there is to know about basketball. There have been lots of changes to the game over the years, and being up to date on everything is key. Do you want an advantage over other players? Continue reading to find out more.

TIP! Practice your pass catching often. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes.

If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. Your skills may not turn you into the star player, but knowing how to make the most of your skills will make you a more valuable player. Know your strengths and keep practicing to get even better.

TIP! If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. This is the hip area, the lower back, and the abs.

Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.

Core Muscles

TIP! Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. While physical positioning is important, it is even more essential to move quicker than an opponent.

One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. Your performance is going to be sub-par if you don’t have strengthened core muscles. A strong and solid core allows force that is generated via the legs to be used for helpful movements during the game like higher jumps and faster running.

TIP! In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it.

Quality footwork will help you get better shots. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important. When you are in position, you must secure your spot. Solid footwork can make both of these things happen.

TIP! Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core.

Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Jump rope can be used to speed up your feet.

TIP! If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position.

When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. Try to line your dominant shoulder up with the rim.

TIP! Passing the ball through your legs is a useful maneuver if the opposing team is right on top of you. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs.

Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass. You will get called for walking if you take extra steps and are not dribbling. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

TIP! Create a routine to improve your free throw success. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off.

Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Don’t let them get comfortable. When you are guarding, do so aggressively. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.

TIP! Make sure that you can see clearly. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes.

Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Consider wrist curls and and exercise machine that focuses on strengthening each finger individually. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. You have to learn to move the ball if you want something to happen.

TIP! Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel.

Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This will show in your next match.

TIP! Stay low when you play defense. This allows you to jump or react quicker.

One way to increase your three-point skill is to practice at the NBA range. High school lines, international standard lines, and college lines are much closer. If you make your shots from where the NBA players shoot, you will improve your skills and increase your range.

TIP! Work on dribbling the ball while switching the momentum of the body from side to side. When you’re playing a game, you have to dribble when you’re in a lot of different situations.

The sound advice above should give you the confidence you have been trying to achieve. They are intended to make you a better overall player. Never stop practicing and pushing yourself. Get better at the game and keep all of the things you’ve read here in mind so you can begin working towards being better.