TIP! Practice shooting free throws. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

The sport of basketball is extremely popular. Whether you’re playing or watching at home, basketball isn’t going anywhere. Players want to become better, of course. These tips will help you become a better player.

TIP! Pay attention to what you are good at. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player.

Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist. If it helps to measure it out, consider aiming for a mark on the floor about three-fourths of the way between you and your teammate. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

TIP! You should learn the best way to throw a great bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

Practice your passes and catches frequently. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Help your team by learning to catch those bad passes, as well as those perfect passes.

TIP! Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. You can count on quite a bit of the game being played in zone; however, you should not be surprised if it becomes one-on-one coverage just for the sake of confusion.

Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.

TIP! Do you want to fool the other team? Trick them using a back pass. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand.

To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

TIP! Footwork is the best way to find an opening shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so.

Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Is there something that you excel at? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.

If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed. Be honest with yourself, but avoid being too critical. Sometimes, it helps a lot to see yourself as you really are and not as just you imagine yourself to be.

TIP! Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it.

To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, you won’t have any trouble having your body memorize what you’re doing.

TIP! A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. Make an effort to do all things on the court more speedily than the opposing team.

Launch your layup jumps from the foot that is opposite the hand you shoot with. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. Also, this will improve your balance as you approach the basket.

TIP! Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself.

Dribbling hard helps you protect the ball. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. If your opponent is playing you up close, stop what you’re doing and quickly look to find and open teammate to pass the ball to.

TIP! Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs.

As you can see, your game can be improved in many ways. Many are simple, like learning a concept and practicing it over and over. Practice makes perfect, and basketball is no exception. It helps to be near a basketball net as often as possible. No matter if you are practicing with teammates or shooting in your own driveway, the work you do is sure to pay dividends.