TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet.

Basketball is something tons of people enjoy. Many people enjoy watching the NBA on television, playing on their own teams, or just shooting some hoops at the park. Most players are in it to win it. The following tips will help you become an even better player.

TIP! Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. It has to be done fast to be effective. If you do it right, a crossover dribble will assist you in changing directions and getting down the court in an efficient manner.

TIP! If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back.

Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.

TIP! Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This keeps it under control.

Don’t limit your practice to just playing against the zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you could run afoul of the scoreboard very fast.

TIP! Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better.

To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. If you don’t see a signal, try to find someone else to pass to.

TIP! Use deception by looking elsewhere when you make passes. You are able to confuse opponents with this technique.

You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. This will help you to be sure that it won’t escape your grasp when trying to hold it. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. You should try your best to only hold onto the ball with your fingertips when passing and shooting.

TIP! You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Force them into an uncomfortable zone.

One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts. Know the dominant hand of every player. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.

TIP! To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. Your defender will move towards you, so figure out how to slither past him and grab the ball.

You should ensure that you can clearly see. This means more than just being able to see well enough to play, but “seeing” the court deeply. Working to improve you peripheral vision will help you become a more successful player. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.

Strength Training

TIP! If you want to do well in basketball, you need to build your strength. When you play basketball you need a lot of stamina and strength to keep going through the entire game.

To increase your basketball playing abilities, consider strength training exercises. It’s important to have stamina and strength when playing basketball. Even younger kids will benefit from strength training. When they become teenagers, they can start using weights to increase their exercise. Once they transition into adulthood, strength training must continue to be a core part of their exercise routine.

TIP! To make your three-point shot better, practice it from the minimum NBA approved distance. The international line is much closer.

If you wish to get your weaker hand built up, you need to use it to brush your teeth and to do other simple tasks. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you. Keeping your opponents on their toes is an important part of basketball.

TIP! Dribble in a rhythmic way until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard. You can surprise the opponent by changing up your dribbling.

AS you dribble the basketball down the court, keep your knees bent. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well. Slightly bending your knees improves ball control significantly.

TIP! You have to learn to get your opponent to alter their path. Whether you are playing defense or offense, controlling the movements of your opponents is vital.

You should make sure when practicing dribbling that you shift from one hand to the other. Dribbling during game play requires you to adopt a variety of dribbling skills. You might be swarmed by various opponents or get an open court. This is why it’s important to switch the direction you will be dribbling. It really will get you out of some sticky situations.

TIP! Make your opponent dribble with their weak hand. For example, if they’re left handed, step toward them using the right foot and they’ll need to switch sides.

There are lots of ways to become a better basketball player. Most of them are just basically learning a particular technique, then practicing that technique until you can do it in your sleep. Practice skills, run drills and play whenever you get the chance. Whether you are practicing to play competitively or just for fun, the information in this article will improve your game.