TIP! Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet.

When you wish to better your basketball game, you must practice. Make sure you perform drills correctly and keep working on an exercise until you get it right every time. Check out the pointers below to make sure you are on track to make your game all it can be.

TIP! If you handle the ball often, you need to learn how to do a crossover. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player.

You must have good balance to shoot well. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. This is simply an improvised move. Balance needs to be maintained to consistently make successful shots.

TIP! Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist.

It is important that you practice layups. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. The best practice strategy is to go full tilt toward the hoop, then do a smooth jump shot. This will assist you in perfecting your ability to jump and then shoot.

TIP! Quality footwork will help you get better shots. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot.

During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! Should you receive an injury during the course of the game, never try to continue playing despite the pain. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing.

If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Do they feel you are really good at something? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet.

Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.

TIP! Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage.

Practice looking in the opposite direction when you make a pass. This should befuddle your opponent. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It can be a really powerful move in the game.

TIP! When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. So, your left foot should be the one you take off from if you use your right hand to shoot.

In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard. Try tying the dominant hand behind you and forcing yourself to just using your weak hand. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.

TIP! You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot.

Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster. If another player is getting too close to you, it is best to pass the ball if a teammate is open.

TIP! Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender.

Regardless of your skill level in basketball, these tips will help you become even better. Focus on one area at a time and enjoy the steady success. You can get better and better in every way from rebounding to passing to taking the perfect shot.