TIP! There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. Your body can be trained to make free throws, but your mind has to be focused on success if you want to make the basket.

This is why basketball is enjoyed by so many people; the game is fast and exciting. But, to become a better player, you have to be aware of certain things. This article will give you advice to assist you in becoming a better player.

TIP! Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is how you win a basketball game. Offense may be splashier, but lacking a solid defense, any team is sure to lose.

TIP! Basketball players of all ages benefit from exercises that strengthen their core. Focus on hips, lower back and abs.

Dribble the ball correctly. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Keeping the ball to your side will help it from getting in the way. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.

Paying Attention

TIP! Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. Are you able to look at your skills in a different light? Honestly and openly assess your own performance.

When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. Always have a basketball handy. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. Paying attention to the ball means you’re not paying attention to the rest of the game.

TIP! Practice looking in a different direction when you pass. This throws your opponents off.

Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist. Try bouncing it about three-quarters to them. There are other things to keep in mind, though.

TIP! Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking.

One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.

TIP! Take a charge if you can. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Many times you are unable to find people to play with. No problem. There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. You can work on pivots and free throws. There’s always some work to do.

Core Muscles

TIP! Shoot from every point on the court thousands of times a day to get better. Also practice transitioning from dribbling to a quick shot.

If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles. These muscles form a bridge across the lower and upper parts of your body. When the core is weak, it is difficult to coordinate the movements of both halves. When your core muscles are strong, you become a more powerful force on the court. This means greater speed and higher jumping skills.

TIP! Only stop dribbling if you want to shoot or pass. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options.

Bad passes can be avoided with the right 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. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.

TIP! Keep the activity below the knees if possible. This will make it harder for opponents to get the ball away from you.

Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! Understanding your teammates is a vital part of basketball. It takes the efforts of an entire team to succeed.

Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. This may confuse your opponents, greatly. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.

TIP! Always anticipate where a missed basket might go so you can grab the resulting rebound. Anticipate where the ball lands and grab the rebound.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. This can help you to remain balanced, continue moving toward the hoop, and will keep your body between the defender and yourself.

TIP! Maintain strong team camaraderie both on and away from the court. When a basketball team gels fully, their game can reach entirely new heights.

To improve ball handling, consider focusing workouts on your forearms and hands. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. It is essential to move the ball around in order to succeed.

Basketball Player

TIP! Understand your own weaknesses. It is important to understand your weakness and be honest about it.

As shown in this article, basketball is among the most loved sports around the world. This article has offered a lot of advice to help you become a better basketball player. Use what you’ve learned here to become the basketball player you want to be.