TIP! Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling.

Do you like the sport of basketball but feel as though you do not know too much about it? You are certainly not alone. Many people wonder, while they are watching a game, how professionals can play basketball at the level they do. Check out the advice below for some pointers that are used by the best players in the world.

TIP! Balance is important when shooting. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling.

Figure out how to perfect your free throw. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult. Practice this technique regularly. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. Then, shoot the ball using the trajectory you pictured.

TIP! Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. In case of serious injury, it is time to see a doctor.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up with the rim.

TIP! If you have student that wants to play basketball for their high school team, they will need to spend some time training their core muscles. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles.

It’s great to be quick in basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. This can cause you to get out of control and make careless mistakes.

TIP! Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it.

You want to always be aware of foot placement and what you’re doing. If you have the ball and you step outside the baseline, then you’re out of bounds. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.

Free Throw

TIP! One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best.

Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. Just keep things brief, but make sure you always do the same moves.

TIP! Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs.

If you wish to shoot free throws better, you have to have a routine that’s consistent. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. If you have a glitch in the routine, you are likely to miss your shot.

TIP! Practice passing while looking another way. This is a great way to fake out your opponents.

Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball. Making a goal isn’t just standing there as the ball miraculously comes to you and then shooting it at the basket. Motion is key to being successful on the court.

TIP! You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. If you use both your hands to dribble, it is easier to control.

Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them. This allows you to secure the rebound without finding yourself penalized.

TIP! Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This makes the ball come back to you faster so the people on defense aren’t able to steal it as easily.

Make sure that you can see clearly. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes. You need to have the best peripheral vision possible. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.

TIP! To help practice three-point shooting you should practice shooting at the NBA distance. The standard line and college lines are much closer.

If you want to do well in basketball, you need to build your strength. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Basketball requires a lot of sprinting and jumping. When they become teenagers, they can start using weights to increase their exercise. During the adult years, strength training is vital to keeping on-court performance at a high level.

TIP! Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. When you stop dribbling the ball, you only have a limited amount of plays you can perform.

To make your three-point shot better, practice it from the minimum NBA approved distance. That is the furthest distance that you would ever have to shoot from to score a three. Hitting from the NBA range makes you get deeper-ranged looks than the defense will be guarding you at.

TIP! Try to practice a dribble while switching momentum from side to side. During the game, you will dribble in various situations.

You have to practice hard every day if you desire to step up your outside shooting game. To improve even more, practice preparing for a shot quickly after dribbling the ball. Look at the target when you’re airborne and not a moment before. This will help improve your accuracy during a game.

TIP! Communicating with your teammates is a vital part of being a good basketball player. Basketball is played by a team.

In conclusion, you probably enjoy basketball but did not know a lot about it before reading this article. Now that you’ve read this compilation of tips, however, you’re ready to act like a pro. So get moving, get on the court, and put this advice to use.