TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Basketball has been around for a long time, since Dr. It was created by Doctor James Naismith to keep his students entertained in 1891. After that it has become something that a lot of people have fallen in love with. From Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant, it has turned people into celebrities because of the game. J and Michael Jordan are now huge celebrities. For tips from the basketball experts, read the paragraphs below.

TIP! Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Muscle strength is beneficial for playing any basketball position, but there is such a thing as too much.

Try learning how to hit free throw shots. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. Practice a lot with the following method. Hold the ball level with your head. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. You should then shoot and try following the trajectory you visualized.

TIP! If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back.

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. You can practice dribbling almost anywhere. Practice in your home and wherever you walk. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.

TIP! When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. This is an aggressive sport, and injuries happen often.

Would you like to learn how to fool your opponent? How about the behind the back pass? Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

Core Muscles

TIP! Passing between the legs is something that helps when you have defense all over you. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.

TIP! A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you aren’t able to be consistent then you’ll be off when you shoot.

Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. Are you great at any one thing? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. Develop your strengths even further and look for ways to improve your weaknesses.

TIP! Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster.

You never want to have your back to the ball if you can help it. Passes and turnovers won’t take you by surprise because you will be more aware of what is happening on the court. Make sure you also have the court in your line of vision as well, so you know when and where you can drive in for the score.

TIP! Don’t leave your defensive stance. Shuffle your feet in a side to side motion, then use your opposite foot to push off and give you good leverage.

You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. This gives you better control of the ball. In addition, keep your palm off of the ball. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! Changing up your pace is something you have to do to make sure the offense is paying attention. Plant a foot and start to straighten your body.

When playing defense, always try to stay low. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier. Stay in your defensive stance all the time. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.

TIP! A powerful play called the trapping machine, is to have your guards wait for the point guard to come just past midcourt. Then, they need to run at the point guard to trap him.

If you want to make a 2-3 zone into something special, have the guards remain put until the opposing team’s guard makes their way about ten feet in from mid-court. They should then trap the point guard. While they are doing that, the forwards should move out to the wings. Point guards need to throw up passes that your team’s forwards can steal easily.

TIP! The only way to gain skill in outside shooting is to make over 100 practice shots every day from various spots on the court. Try dribbling a little and pull up for your shot.

You should keep the ball below the knees if you’re able to. Defenders will have a more difficult time stealing the ball. It will be necessary to bend over, but you should be able to get down the court faster.

TIP! Don’t stop dribbling until you are ready to pass or shoot. You have few options remaining to you after you stop dribbling.

Regulation basketball requires a hoop that is ten feet from the ground, a basketball court just under a hundred yards, and two teams of five players each. If you desire to become an amazing player, you need the right knowledge. What you learned here is just the beginning, and now you need to study more and practice well to hopefully one day become a great.