TIP! Correct dribbling is key. You’ll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm.

Many people enjoy the fast-pace and excitement of basketball. In order to be the best that you can be at basketball, there are some tips that you should know. The following tips will help you take your game up a notch.

TIP! Learn the best way to make your free throws. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard.

You should practice your crossovers a lot. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.

Practice Catching

TIP! You may have better luck honing your passing skills if you forgo dribbling during practice. Passing drills with your team is important for accurate passes during game time, and you can try doing them without dribbling at all.

Practice catching passes as often as you can. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes. When the game is being played, passes may not be as perfect as we’d like. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.

TIP! Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. While it’s a team sport, you may not be able to find others that will play.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Basketball is sport played in teams, but there are times when no one is around to play with you. That is okay. Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Go to the free throw line and work on your shots. There is no shortage of things you can do.

TIP! Don’t play when you are injured! Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. Being tough is one thing, but playing through injury can only harm you even further and make the problem much worse.

Understanding the opponent is a good way to win with defense. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies. Figure out which people are right or left handed. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.

TIP! Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better.

Quickness is a key skill in basketball. Developing speed and vision is vital to playing the game well. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. If you play too quickly, you lose control over the ball and the match.

TIP! When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot.

Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. Did you spot something that could be improved? Be honest in your assessment but not overly critical. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.

TIP! To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands.

Practice looking the other way when passing. This is a simple thing that could easily confuse your opponents. If you’re doing it correctly you can fake your opponent out so he/she moves towards that direction and then you pass the ball to a wide open teammate for a shot. It’s quite a play when done properly.

TIP! You must disrupt and upset the play of your opponent if you want to be successful as a defensive player. Force them out of their comfort zone.

To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim. This gets you the rebound without you committing a foul.

TIP! You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. Wrist curls are great for bettering your ball handling in basketball to the point where you could practically do it sleepwalking.

Dribbling the ball fast and hard will help you to keep better control of it. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If someone is guarding you closely, stop dribbling and pass to someone else who is open on your team.

TIP! Remain low when playing defense. That helps you stay quick when it comes to the jump and will help you react more quickly to the person just ahead of you.

As you have learned from this article, basketball is a fun sport that people play all over the world. This article has offered a lot of advice to help you become a better basketball player. Use the information above to become a great basketball player.