TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring.

It’s important to do research about basketball before you start playing. You will become better when you do the research. In this article, we will discuss some of the top professional tips in the world of basketball.

TIP! Dribble properly. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm.

Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. This action most be quick to work out. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.

TIP! Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough.

Never practice only against the zone. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.

TIP! You should practice your crossovers a lot. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand.

Practice basketball in season and out of season. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. This is perfectly acceptable. Solo games can help you immensely. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. You can always work on something.

TIP! A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball. A simple hand gesture can let your teammate know you’re ready for the pass. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.

TIP! What do your teammates admire about your skills? Do you do something really good? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate. Find out what others think your natural abilities are, and be certain to keep developing those skills.

Never play through an injury on the court. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. Visit a doctor if you think it’s serious.

TIP! Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes.

Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Find out what your strong points are in the eyes of others. This way you can develop your most valuable skills.

TIP! If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better.

Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail. To help improve your shot, focus on squaring up on each of your shots. If your right hand is your dominant hand, your right shoulder must be aligned with the rim. For left-handedness, the opposite is true.

TIP! Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else.

Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. You have to be steady as you play quickly. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.

TIP! In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball.

When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. It is prudent that you look at yourself as others do and not as how you would like to be.

TIP! You need to take a charge anytime you can. Letting the other guy run into you stops the game without having to use a time out, and adds another four to the opponent’s total.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. This routine will help you make your free throws, but make the routine a quick one.

TIP! If you want to build the dexterity of your weaker hand, start using it for everyday tasks like shining your shoes or opening doors. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial.

To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. So, your left foot should be the one you take off from if you use your right hand to shoot. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.

TIP! Shoot from every point on the court thousands of times a day to get better. Try to practice a hard dribble followed by a quick shot.

A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles. This might not seem possible, but if you can do it your speed and length will strengthen. You will have easy layups on fast breaks and you will be able to advance your team easily.

TIP! Keep dribbling when you’re going to switch the body’s momentum from side to side. Remember that you must dribble in a variety of situations during a basketball game.

After you understand the inner workers of an automobile, you’ll excellent. That said, except for becoming a better basketball player. This will allow you to win the games you play, along with making sure your teammates are impressed.