TIP! Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more.

Millions of people love playing and watching basketball. Basketball can be enjoyed even more when you know how the game is played well. The intricacies of the game are nearly limitless. This article is meant to help readers do precisely that.

TIP! Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This term refers to switching the hand you use.

Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Dribble off to the side waist high. Always look upwards, never at the ground.

TIP! Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Always have a basketball handy. Dribble the ball while you’re walking around. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.

TIP! Don’t spend all your time practicing how to confront a zone defense. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works.

Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Practice running while dribbling, jumping and shooting as smoothly as you can. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed.

A bounce pass is essential to learn. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist. A useful tip is to have the ball bounce roughly 3/4 of the distance to the recipient. It does depend on a variety of other factors, however.

TIP! If you wish to do free throw shots reliably, always do the exact same thing before making each shot. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck.

One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing. You are sure to notice the key skills each player has mastered, and from there you can start practicing.

TIP! Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand.

Practice your pass catching often. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect. In the heat of the game, not every pass is going to hit the bulls-eye. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.

TIP! Developing your muscle strength and flexibility will make you a better basketball player. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player.

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 concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back. Without a strong core, a player’s performance may not be as good as it could be. A strong and solid core allows force that is generated via the legs to be used for helpful movements during the game like higher jumps and faster running.

TIP! To better your outdoor shooting skills, take about a hundred shots every day from various places on the court. Taking quick shots during practice will help you during the game when the pressure is on.

Try using hand signals to prevent passes in error. It’s frustrating to pass to your teammate at the very moment they’re heading toward the basket. Avoid this using hand signals to see if they can get the pass. If no signal is displayed, a pass ought not be made.

TIP! You should practice your dribbling while switching your balance from right to left. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise.

Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better. You should get a good workout in your hips, buttocks, back and abs. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! Dribble with a rhythm, that is until you need to outsmart your opponents. The opposing player expects you to maintain that rhythm, so when you switch things up you create an element of surprise.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

Free Throws

TIP! Foster a strong team camaraderie both on the court and off. When a basketball team is totally in sync, the game is taken to a higher level.

Your routines must be consistent for free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. Practice makes perfect when shooting free throws. If you have a glitch in the routine, you are likely to miss your shot.

TIP! It is necessary to be capable of altering the path of your opponent. With practice, you can learn how to control the path of others players with your footwork.

To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands. Tie the main hand you use behind your back so that you have to use the weak hand. This will help you use that hand more easily and improve your dribbling with that hand.

TIP! If you notice that a player is weaker with one hand, put them in a situation where they will have to use that hand. Step toward their strong side with your foot to force them to react by switching sides.

Keep changing up your pace to help keep your opponents on their toes. As you are heading towards the net, straighten up and plant down your foot. Your defender is going to assume that you’re slowing your speed and will start straightening up, too. You should push and get past them as they straighten themselves.

TIP! Basketball players who are advanced view dribbling as a physical and mental challenge. You can control the ball spin and where it will land by where you feet and legs are planted.

To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. You will have more control as you use it to do daily activities that require dexterity. This will start to appear in the game of basketball, too.

TIP! Avoid arguing with the game’s officials. You can ask a question, and you might not agree with all the calls they make.

It is impossible to beat the excitement of a basketball match. If you are new to the game, the fast pace makes it difficult to follow and enjoy. Use the skills and practice habits you read about here to take your game to the next level. You can be a real “baller.”