TIP! Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more.

People of all ages and social strata the world over love basketball. It’s easy to learn rules, and everyone of all ages can do it. Being good player also means having good sportsmanship and working as part of a team. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your basketball game.

TIP! You should practice your crossovers a lot. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in.

Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This provides you with much more ball control. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This technique passes the ball back and forth from the right hand to the left hand. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

TIP! Frequently train yourself on your pass catching moves. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones.

Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. For concentration purposes, it can be good to practice on your own. Solo games also help. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. You can always practice something.

TIP! It is best to take a break if you sustain an injury while playing. Basketball is physically demanding, and injuries are relatively common.

Don’t play when you are injured! It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. In case of serious injury, it is time to see a doctor.

TIP! The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. This gives you better control of the ball.

Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. Pay attention to dominant hands. Defense is more effective when you know what your opponent is likely to do. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.

TIP! Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player.

Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. This way, you have the opportunity to go through your play at a later time and see your mistakes. You can use this information to improve your game. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.

TIP! If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot.

The best free throws come as a result of routine. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. By developing a quick ritual, you can help train your body to make free throws.

TIP! Your routines must be consistent for free throws. If you aren’t able to be consistent then you’ll be off when you shoot.

Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Step forward and back while dribbling the ball between your legs hard. If this move is something you master, you’ll have an advantage when you go out to play a game.

TIP! To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball.

Look away when you practice passing. This should befuddle your opponent. When done properly, this technique distracts the opposition and gives your pass recipient a chance to focus on the basket. It can be quite powerful.

TIP! Ensure that you have good court awareness. You don’t need great vision just to keep score.

Good footwork will help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender. Now you can achieve a proper rebound and not commit a foul.

TIP! One of the best ways to always be in proper defensive position is to never break out of the defensive stance. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position.

A key play on defense is to draw a charge. By taking a charge, your team will get the ball. Perfecting this play can really give you an advantage on the court.

Nba Distance

TIP! When playing defense, always try to stay low. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly.

To help practice three-point shooting you should practice shooting at the NBA distance. The line in every other league is closer. Putting in the shot from the NBA distance will give you an advantage over defenders who are not expecting it.

TIP! Here is how you can change a normal two-three zone to become a trapping machine. You will need for the top two guards to wait until the time when the point guard is approximately 10 feet beyond the midcourt.

Avoid dribbling above your knees. This is going to make things harder for your opponents if they want to steal the ball. You need to bend a bit more for this to succeed, but you will be able to traverse the court rapidly while keeping opponents at bay.

TIP! Avoid dribbling above your knees. The other team’s players will have a difficult time stealing the basketball from you.

Double dribbling is not a habit you want to get into. This occurs if you restart dribbling seconds after you have stopped your original dribble. Remember that if you do stop dribbling, your options are limited to shooting or passing to a teammate. It is against the rules to recommence dribbling. This will cause your team to lose the ball.

TIP! Make sure you stay in a constant rhythm until it is time to make your move. A consistent dribbling broken up by a fast paced dribble can surprise your opponent and give you a major edge for a shot.

Why is basketball so darn popular? That’s because it’s fun and easy to learn to play. If you love to play basketball, these tips will help you improve your game. Have fun playing, and improve your own gameplay by applying these tips.