TIP! When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense.

When you first played the game of basketball, it was a whole new world. You learned to get the ball around from player to basket. Even if you have been playing for years, there are plenty of skills you can learn. The tips here are going to help you realize you can still learn.

TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand.

It is important that you perfect dribbling the ball. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. This way you’ll have a lot more control over the ball. Avoid dribbling in front of you and only dribble to the sides of your body. Keep your head up, do not stare down towards the ground.

TIP! Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team.

Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. Get used to looking up as you go so that you can focus your attention on the court and not on your hands and the ball.

TIP! Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot.

Improving your balance means improving your shots. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. They’re just improvising at this point. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

Core Muscles

TIP! When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is physically demanding, and injuries are relatively common.

If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. Stronger core muscles will help them be more resistant and allow them to develop many different athletic abilities. A strong core helps the legs move better, like jumping higher and running faster.

TIP! Make layups count by taking off with the foot that is opposite to your shooting hand. Thus, if you use your right hand for shooting, you need to push off using your left foot.

You may get injured while practicing or playing. Don’t try to play if you are hurt. Basketball is very challenging physically, and this can cause further serious injury. You can quickly turn a strain into a debilitating medical issue if you do not take a break from the action. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.

TIP! Your routines must be consistent for free throws. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws.

When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. Your body will retain balance and move quicker when you have strong core muscles. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one.

Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball. Tie your dominant hand behind your back and force yourself only to use your weak hand. You will quickly strengthen your non-dominant hand for dribbling.

TIP! Perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearms and hands in order to maximize your ability to handle the ball. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling.

If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you. If the defense gets to be too much, look to pass the ball to someone who is open.

TIP! You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them.

Take every charge you can. A charge can help you take the ball and perhaps set up a foul against the other team. This can be devastating to the other team.

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.

To create a trapping machine in a standard 2-3 zone, have your two top defenders or your guards wait until point guard is about 10 feet from the time line or midcourt. They should then trap the point guard. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. This will cause the point guard to throw a pass that will allow your forwards to steal.

TIP! Keep low when you play defense. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. Try becoming ambidextrous outside of the court, and you will soon find that you do not have a weaker hand when playing basketball. This will show in your next match.

TIP! Shoot hundreds of shots every day from every position on the court to improve your shooting skills. To improve even more, practice preparing for a shot quickly after dribbling the ball.

Be certain to practice moves off the court that will truly help you on the court. You can run longer distances to build up stamina. To build speed, try doing wind sprints. Both are necessary for playing good ball. You can acquire muscle through weightlifting that helps with hustling and shooting. The passion which results will help you become a better shooter.

TIP! Use the hand you are not dribbling with to keep your defender away from the ball. Don’t push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you may use your free arm to create a barrier that keeps your opponent away from the ball.

Practice shots from all regions of the court. Initially, you need to practice both your grip and your balance. Off-balance shooting can happen, but it’s not as accurate. You can perfect your basketball grip by using the ball valve. Spread the fingers of your dominant hand and put the center of your hand over the valve located at the center of the basketball.

TIP! Be sure that off-court exercises are proper for playing on-court. Running sprints helps you get faster for individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina.

Take control of opposing players’ movements. No matter what side of the ball you’re on, being able to direct your opponents movements is key to winning. Doing so lets you control your path, not them.

TIP! Diet is essential when it comes to playing ball. Complex carbohydrates and protein will give you energy to ensure that you get through a long, fast-paced basketball game.

Be sure not to double dribble. To keep from double dribbling, simply refrain from starting to dribble a second time after you have already stopped dribbling once in that same possession. Once you stop dribbling, you choices are to either shoot or pass the ball. You’re not allowed to start dribbling again. That is also referred to as a turnover, and the ref will call it for your opponent.

TIP! Create teamwork both off and on the basketball court. Basketball is a great game that can be elevated when the team is of one mind.

You now have the knowledge you need to master the game. Set goals for yourself, and be sure you practice, practice, practice! When you add the tips and use them in your game, you’ll see the results you have always wanted.