TIP! One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling.

Do you want to be as great as Shaquille O’Neil? Well don’t just keep wishing you were that good, get out there and make it happen. Keep reading to learn more about the game of basketball.

TIP! Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot.

If you get possession of the ball a lot, you must learn the crossover technique. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. That action has to be done fast to be successful. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.

TIP! Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against.

Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. It needs to get to the player at their waist. Bounce it 3/4 of the distance to the receiver. There are many factors which come into play, though.

Perfect Passes

TIP! Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. Is there something that you excel at? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities.

Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.

TIP! When you work out, try focusing on building core strength and bettering your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles.

Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. Passing drills with your team is important for accurate passes during game time, and you can try doing them without dribbling at all. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

TIP! High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every 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 of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back. Stronger core muscles will help them be more resistant and allow them to develop many different athletic abilities. Having a strong base allows the player a solid position from which to jump and accelerate during the game to help speed up their movements.

TIP! Your routines must be consistent for free throws. Inconsistency does not make a better shot.

Have your team mates critique your playing skills. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Perhaps you are quick footed, or you are always ready to lend a hand on the court. Find out what others perceive as your natural gifts and build upon those more completely.

TIP! If you wish to dribble the ball better, you have to start using your hand that’s considered the weak one. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent.

You never want to have your back to the ball if you can help it. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor. When your eyes are constantly assessing the game, you will be better able to make easy shots.

TIP! To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Make them uncomfortable.

Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.

TIP! Improve your ball-handling by strengthening your hands and your forearms. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling.

Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! When dribbling you want to keep your knees bent. Standing straight up lessens your ability to control the ball and increases the chances that it will be stolen.

To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.

TIP! In order to better your shooting skills, you must practice shooting hundreds of times each day from various position on the court. To help you get even better, practice dribbling the ball and quickly pulling up for a shot.

This article can give you many pointers in the right direction. You need to become consistent when you’re practicing, and you have to be confident in what you’re capable of. You can develop your skill far above what you have now if you push yourself and never give up.