Many people all over the world love basketball. Understanding the nuances of the game helps you to appreciate it in its splendor. This article below can help with that.

TIP! Learn the best way to make your free throws. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This is when you switch hands while dribbling. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.

TIP! Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player.

Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, jumping and shooting in a smooth series of motions. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

TIP! Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. When you practice, be sure to do drills that improve catching wild throws and making great passes.

How would you like to trick the opposing team? Try a pass back! To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. Make use of the back pass.

Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.

TIP! When avoiding errant passes, use 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 can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well. Also, keep your palm off the ball. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.

TIP! What do your teammates admire about your skills? Do you do something particularly well? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.

If you’re quick on the basketball court, you have a built in advantage. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. If you play basketball past your own speed ability, then you can lose control of you game with bad passes and needless turnovers.

TIP! Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball.

Hard dribbling helps avoid stolen balls. This makes the ball go back to your hand quicker, so offense has reduced chances at taking it from you. When closely guarding another player, cease dribbling and pass it to another play on your team that’s open.

TIP! Quickness is a key skill in basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage.

You want to strive in practice to bring the ball all the way up the court in no more than five dribbles. This will help you to gain speed, stride length and control of the ball. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.

TIP! A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better.

Can you see well? You don’t just want to be able to pass and shoot well. Working to improve you peripheral vision will help you become a more successful player. Being aware of the entire court will help you to better anticipate who will move where.

TIP! To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball.

Always set your three-point shooting practice goal at the official NBA distance. All the other three point lines are much closer than the NBA line. When you can shoot from the NBA range, you’ll be able to shoot from farther away than the defense expects.

TIP! To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal.

In order to better your shooting skills, you must practice shooting hundreds of times each day from various position on the court. To help you get even better, practice dribbling the ball and quickly pulling up for a shot. Avoid looking at your target until you are in the air. This helps to simulate game conditions and improving your accuracy.

TIP! If you see a chance to gain control of the ball, take it. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand.

The excitement that basketball creates for millions of fans across the globe s hard to match. Without proper understanding, though, it is easy to get lost. With any luck, the reader will discover that this article has made them a more effective player on and off the court.