TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms.

Millions of people adore basketball around the world. It’s easy to learn rules, and everyone of all ages can do it. When playing, you are learning how to cooperate with a group and the value of being a good sportsman, win or lose. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your basketball game.

TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate.

Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. 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. Ask others to help you identify your strengths and practice until you fully master these skills.

TIP! When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. This is when you switch hands while dribbling.

Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. It needs to get to the player at their waist. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. Many other factors will affect it, too.

TIP! Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team.

Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. 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. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.

TIP! Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it.

Do not only practice zone defense plays. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. If your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.

TIP! Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. While a good chunk of the game will most likely be played in zone, your opponent might flip the switch to man-to-man coverage just to change things up and surprise you.

Practice basketball in season and out of season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. For concentration purposes, it can be good to practice on your own. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. There is no shortage of things you can do.

TIP! Would you like to fool the opposing team? The back pass is just the thing! To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back.

You may get injured while practicing or playing. Don’t try to play if you are hurt. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. If the injury feels too bad then seek medical attention right away.

TIP! Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court.

During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. Just like with boxing, you can do a little speed and footwork training with a jump rope.

TIP! If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it.

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. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.

TIP! It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. Out of bounds will happen with even one toe over the baseline of the lined play area on the court.

A great way to make sure you’re in a good position defensively is to keep yourself in the defensive stance. To do this, avoid lurching or stepping across the floor; instead use smaller, shuffling steps to move with your opponent. Stay low and make it hard for opponents to get around you.

TIP! When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot.

Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you. This will help you with your basketball game also.

TIP! A consistent pre-shot routine when at the line will increase your chance at success. If you’re consistent, your shots will be too.

If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. The international line is much closer. If you are able to make NBA-range three-point-shots, you will be able to find more open looks during your own games.

TIP! To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them.

While you dribble, alternate your momentum from your left to right side. This will help you learn to dribble during all different kinds of situations. You’ll have people guarding you on all sides. Going through the court will be easier if you can quickly adjust your direction without interrupting your dribbling. By nailing this skill, you have a better chance to avoid a turnover.

TIP! Bend the knees when you dribble a basketball. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well.

If a shot is taken from the corner and missed, the ball typically ends up across the court from the player. When someone is going for a corner shot, try to anticipate where a missed shot would land so you can be there for the rebound.

TIP! Be sure to practice shooting from a variety of spots on the court. You will want to learn how to be steady and have a good grip on the ball.

Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. When a basketball team gels fully, their game can reach entirely new heights. If you know your team like the backs of your hands and you fully trust them, you should see your game really take off!

TIP! If basketball is something you wish to pursue seriously, your diet should reflect that. When you play on a regular basis, you have to load up on carbs to get energy, and you also need proteins and fat.

How come so many people enjoy basketball? For one thing, it’s lots of fun. For another, it’s easy to play. Read these tips for pointers on how to advance your skills on the court. So, don’t wait; improve your skills now and reap the rewards later.