TIP! If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand.

Basketball is very popular. No matter if you watch championships, play on your own team, or just play in your yard, it’s a sport that’s here to stay. Players want to become better, of course. Use these basketball tips to enhance your understanding and love for this incredible sport.

TIP! Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. While you may have a particular skill that isn’t going to make you stand out as the star player, honing it can help you become an integral part of your team’s success.

Practice your layup shot often. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. Knowing how to run and jump quickly and smoothly will assist you in knowing how to leap and shoot more effectively while playing.

TIP! Don’t just practice playing against a zone defense. 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.

Perfect your bounce pass. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. But, there are some factors that can change this.

TIP! Don’t pump a lot of iron if you wish to become a jump shooter. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members.

Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. Without a strong mindset, your body simply goes through the motions to take the shot. Relax and focus on the basket; this will help you succeed.

TIP! Never play through an injury on the court. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse.

You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.

TIP! Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds.

Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! Practice passing while looking another way. You can really confuse your opponents this way.

If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. Inconsistent shooting will lead to inconsistent results.

You must disrupt and upset the play of your opponent if you want to be successful as a defensive player. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position. Execute aggressive moves. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.

TIP! Dribbling hard helps you protect the ball. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away.

To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. Now you can achieve a proper rebound and not commit a foul.

TIP! Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice.

Be sure your vision is unobstructed. Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. Your peripheral vision needs to be as strong as possible. If you scan the entire court, not just the location of the ball, it is possible to anticipate defense moves in advance and see which teammates are open.

TIP! A key play on defense is to draw a charge. When you take a charge, you have the opportunity to get a defensive stop, your team gets the ball and an additional foul is set up against the other team.

After reading the above article you should be familiar with how to get better at basketball. Some are quite simple, for example you can learn new techniques and practice them assiduously. Practice is essential to learning anything, so be sure you have the access you need to a hoop, and play as much as you can. You can perform drills by yourself of with your team, or you can mentor younger players. Any way you approach it, these activities will benefit your game.