TIP! If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best.

Nobody wants to attempt an auto repair without a bit of research and training. So how do you expect to turn into a good basketball player without learning the game? There are many useful tips in this article that will help your basketball game.

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes.

Make sure to dribble properly. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage.

You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate. Practice regularly and employe the technique that follows. Hold the ball level to your face. Then, look at the ball and visualize it going in the basket. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.

TIP! Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong.

Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team. Know the things you’re great at and keep practicing until there is no one better than you.

TIP! Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs.

You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.

TIP! Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.

TIP! Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it.

If you experience a basketball injury, don’t keep playing. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.

TIP! Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. Your shoulders should be facing the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be lined up with the rim.

TIP! Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds.

If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. When you get this move down, you will have an advantage.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. It’s a great play if done properly.

TIP! If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs.

Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them. Then you gain the ball without the foul.

TIP! The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball.

Dribble with force to prevent the ball from being stolen. Dribbling fast allows you to keep better control of the ball and there is a slimmer chance of it being stolen from you. When closely guarding another player, cease dribbling and pass it to another play on your team that’s open.

TIP! Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster.

Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. While it will allow you to catch passes and read the score, there is more to it than that. You want to make sure that you see what is going on to the sides of you. By seeing the court well, you can anticipate defensive moves as well as what all your teammates are doing. Good vision is vital to basketball success.

TIP! Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up.

Being able to fix your own car provides you with great pride unrivaled by other situations. That is, unrivaled by any other except for reading all you can and learning how to better your basketball game. Your skill and ability will help your team win and gain the appreciation of the members of your team.