TIP! To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team.

Basketball is a game which is enjoyed by many people in many countries. Every player has their own skills that contribute to wins for their team. If you want to learn how you can boost your own skill level, keep on reading.

TIP! Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level.

Correct dribbling is key. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Look up, not down.

TIP! Free throws are mental as well as 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.

If you want to excel, you have to play to your strengths. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!

Bounce Pass

TIP! If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs.

Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. It does depend on a variety of other factors, however.

TIP! Avoid errant passes by using 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 want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works. You may lose control of the game if you aren’t prepared.

TIP! Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so.

One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

TIP! Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. They will probably notice the things you do best.

If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. Strong muscles are certainly useful for basketball, but you can overdo it if you plan to play on the perimeter. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

TIP! Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. This will help prevent the ball from getting away from you while dribbling.

Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Consider the back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. This should should thoroughly fool your opponent.

TIP! Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports.

If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Once you’re in position, you also need to secure your spot. Strong footwork is key.

TIP! Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. This may confuse your opponents, greatly.

Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected. It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

TIP! Build a consistent routine for your free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off.

Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! Do not release your defensive stance. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride.

Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. This helps to maintain balance throughout your body and allows you to use yourself as a barrier between the defender and yourself.

Free Throw

TIP! To increase your three-point shooting skill, shoot from where the NBA players range. High school lines, International standard lines, and college lines are closer.

To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate. To better perfect free throw techniques, try using repetition via practicing one routine repeatedly. If your free throw routine is out of whack, you will miss.

TIP! To make your shooting skills better, shoot from all around the court. Taking quick shots during practice will help you during the game when the pressure is on.

Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. This will help you accomplish great layups on those fast breaks.

TIP! Stay in communication with your teammates. In order to win games, you have to work together as a team.

Using your weak hand to brush your teeth can help you build skills with that hand. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. This is bound to carry over to the court.

TIP! If you’re serious about your game, you should take your diet seriously. In order to be ready for practice and games, it is vital that you have the proper energy stored in your body.

Shoot from every point on the court thousands of times a day to get better. Also practice transitioning from dribbling to a quick shot. Do not focus on the target until you are already in the air. This is a good way to simulate real game-time conditions and increase accuracy.

TIP! If you’re trying to guard a person that’s bigger than you are, try keeping between that person and the one in possession of the ball. This will prevent them from getting an easy pass and stop them from shooting the ball right over your head.

Practice all types of shots while in different distances and angles. Start out by practicing grip and balance. Even though it is less accurate, it is possible to score with off-balanced shooting. The basketball’s air valve can be used to aid in perfecting your grip. Cover the valve with your palm, and spread your fingers around the ball.

TIP! Build your passing game. Good passing helps beat your opponent.

Most basketball players seek to enhance their techniques so they play a better game. Now that you read the article you should be familiar with what it takes to take your game to the next level. Re-read the piece when necessary, but continue practicing the tips provided.