TIP! Dribble the ball correctly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead.

Basketball is simple but it takes years to develop the savvy to dominate the game. Even the best players work on their weaknesses. The sport changes with the times, and you have to keep up. Want to do better than the competition is doing? Continue reading to gain the edge that you need to succeed.

TIP! Focus on your strong point to help you become a better ball player. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player.

Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is the key to winning. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.

TIP! You should often work on your layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball.

Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard. This technique should be practiced often if possible. Begin by holding the ball directly in front of your face. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.

TIP! Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

TIP! Practice using different types of defenses. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too.

Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. Each player has their strengths and you can learn a lot from each one.

TIP! Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes.

Make sure to practice catching passes. When you practice, drill yourself to pay attention to errant throws and passes that are picture perfect. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. By learning to catch errant passes, you will do your team a great favor.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on.

Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. Are you great at any one thing? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. You can learn a lot about your skills by knowing how others see you on the court.

TIP! In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so.

Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Strengthen you back muscles along with abs, hips and buttocks. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.

TIP! Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Can you get better at something? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable.

Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Be honest with yourself, but avoid being too critical. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.

TIP! Always be aware of your feet. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds.

Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.

TIP! Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. As you see the defender moving in, quickly slip around to grab the ball.

You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. Bind your dominant hand so you will be forced to make use of your weaker side. This will train your weaker hand to dribble and control the ball well.

TIP! Always anticipate where a missed basket might go so you can grab the resulting rebound. Figure out where it will be and rebound the ball.

A good player on defense will annoy the heck out of the opponent and cause the other team to get flustered. Do not allow your opponent to become comfortable with their style, or yours. Always move aggressively as they try to maneuver around you. Other players should not influence the plays you make. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. To avoid this, stay aggressive and try to interrupt their thought patterns and rhythm.

TIP! As you come down from catching a rebound, land with your legs spread wider than the span of your shoulders to increase your balance. Hold the ball with two hands tightly against your chest.

Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This may seem quite difficult at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length. This is a vital skill to give you points on fast break opportunities.

TIP! Practice your pivoting skills to improve your performance on the court. You have to practice footwork and get ready to pivot without getting unstable on your feet or disoriented.

As the point guard approaches within 10 feet of the middle of the court, your guards should take action and create a 2-3 trap. Once your opponent is trapped, he will have no option but to make a pass. Then, have the forwards on blocks run to the wing players. The guard on point should make a pass that can easily be stolen by the forwards.

TIP! When you are facing a zone defense, you must use a penetrating dribble. Passing a defender with the ball causes the defenders to collapse inward.

Now you should know what it takes to be a better player. They should help improve your basketball skills. Practice daily and continue learning. To become a better player, you must use the information you come across, so do so.