TIP! Free throws are as mental as physical. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed.

Even the NBA’s best players don’t know everything there is to know about basketball. The sport is evolving, which means that even after you’ve become an expert, there’s more to learn. Do you want to have an edge? Continue reading in order to gain that competitive edge.

TIP! If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back.

Practice shooting free throws. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. The following technique should be practiced often. Place the ball right in line with your face. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Next, shoot with just the trajectory you saw.

TIP! Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Do you do something particularly well? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. You have seen some crazy shots made by professionals, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. Having a good foundation under you while shooting will always yield better results over time as you keep on practicing and honing your skills.

TIP! Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game. When you practice, run full speed ahead at the basket, jump, and shoot. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

TIP! Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level.

Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail. Relax yourself and focus on the hoop.

TIP! Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds.

Practice catching passes often. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Learn how to catch any sort of throw.

TIP! Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. This should befuddle your opponent.

Are you interested in being able to fool the other team? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

TIP! When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left.

Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. This will help you to be sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. Do not allow your palm to come in contact with the ball either. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles.

You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. Repetition is an excellent way to improve your ability to make each free throw. Stick with a routine until you can perfect it. If you break your routine, you’ll start missing shots.

TIP! Can you see well? You don’t just want to be able to pass and shoot well. You have to build your peripheral vision.

Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. This will begin to spill over into your basketball game as well.

TIP! Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back.

Bend your knees when dribbling the basketball. Standing straight will make you see that it’s harder to handle and easier for the opposing players to take. Bending your knees will make a big difference in the way you can control the ball.

TIP! One of the best ways to always be in proper defensive position is to never break out of the defensive stance. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position.

Never stop your dribble unless you are going to shoot or pass the ball. When you stop dribbling, then you limit your options. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using your back foot. This will leave you open for double teaming from opponents and you may lose control of the ball.

TIP! You can use your guards and point guard to trap an opponent with a 2-3 zone defense. At that point, both guards should move in for the trap.

Be aware of your position when a shot is made so you can be in a good spot to grab a rebound. Improve your balance and power by jumping using both feet. Be sure to use both hands to secure the ball. After rebounding, land with wide feet to keep your balance, and clutch the ball to your chest.

TIP! To improve three-point shooting, do it from NBA distance at the very least. The standard line , high school and college lines are all going to be closer.

Control your nerves when you are shooting. Keep your eyes on the rim and don’t lose focus. Learn to always focus your gaze on the back edge of the rim as you shoot the ball. When shooting layups, be sure you are using the backboard.

TIP! Your diet plays a major role in your health and success on the basketball court. In order to be skilled at basketball you need to load up on carbs to give yourself plenty of energy.

Make sure passing is an essential component of your overall game. Effective passing can trip up the opposing team. It also gets everyone on the team in the game. You will certainly have your time to shine. Those moments will come, but you need to be a team player first and foremost.

TIP! You need to learn how to change your opponent’s personal path. It does not matter if you are on offense or defense, being able to control where the opposing player goes is very important.

You should now feel a new level of confidence about playing basketball. They are all designed to assist you become a better player. Never stop learning and always keep practicing. 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.