TIP! Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in.

Do you feel like basketball could be a great game if you knew more about it? You are certainly not alone. Very few basketball lovers can play at a high level. In this article, you will learn some professional basketball tricks.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is essential to winning these games. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.

TIP! You may have better luck honing your passing skills if you forgo dribbling during practice. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

Practice shooting free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. Make sure that you’re applying the following technique when practicing. Start with the ball positioned right before your face. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. Shoot on the same path you saw in your mind’s eye.

TIP! Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail.

If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games. Knowing what you excel at and then practicing that can help you become perfect at it!

TIP! A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. This may seem quite difficult at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length.

Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

Practice Catching

TIP! If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

TIP! Defensive players need to stay low. Doing this allows you to have quick reactions, especially to your opponent.

If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles. Core muscles are the connectors between arms and legs. If the core muscles are weak, basketball performance will suffer. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.

TIP! To trap someone in a 2-3 zone, get your guards to wait for the point guard to get about 10 feet past midcourt. They should then trap the point guard.

To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. If the player does not flash the signal, then the player can avoid an errant pass.

TIP! The goal to improving a game is building conversation with your teammates. Basketball is considered a team sport.

Don’t let the ball go behind your back. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Maintain awareness of open areas on the ball court that may allow you to quickly score a basket.

TIP! When someone misses a corner shot, you can bet the ball bounces across the court. Figure out where it will be and rebound the ball.

Spreading the fingers is something you have to do to handle the ball right. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. When passing and shooting the ball toward its target, the sole contact point should be fingers.

TIP! Make your opponent change their path. Whether you are playing defense or offense, you must be capable of controlling the directions of opposing players.

Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. Did you spot something that could be improved? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. At times, it can help to see the truth of who you are, not as you imagine yourself.

TIP! Avoid double dribbling. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling.

In the final analysis, perhaps you enjoyed basketball before, but now you really understand it. Now you are ready to stick a foot in and take on a game yourself. Get out there on the court so you can utilize these learned strategies.