TIP! If you handle the ball often, you need to learn how to do a crossover. This technique passes the ball back and forth from the right hand to the left hand.

No matter a person’s sex, basketball makes many people happy. Anyone anywhere can enjoy basketball. Get your friends together and impress them with your new moves. Maybe you are wondering, what moves? You should keep reading to learn more about basketball.

TIP! Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. It is possible to practice the physical movements needed to make such a shot, but when your mental focus is lacking, you are likely to miss.

To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team. Know your strengths and practice them until you have perfected them.

Errant Passes

TIP! One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes.

Work on catching passes frequently. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.

TIP! If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level.

You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.

TIP! When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game.

One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. Playing basketball without dribbling is very challenging, but your entire team will quickly improve their passing skills. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.

TIP! If you wish to dribble the ball better, you have to start using your hand that’s considered the weak one. Using both hands to dribble makes you a more effective player, especially when you’re trying to get past your opponent.

To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. Hand signals can tell you if your teammate is ready. If you don’t receive a signal then realize your teammate is not able to get the pass.

TIP! Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. This is an aggressive sport, and injuries happen often. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance when playing ball. Shifting your weight back and forth between your feet will help you to stay in position.

What do your teammates admire about your skills? What are your your best skill areas? You might be quick, or you might always be around to support them. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.

TIP! Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. Those who do very well at this sport have a combination of stamina and strength.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! If you want a 2-3 zone to be turned into a machine that traps, your two defenders that are guarding should wait until your point guard is around ten feet past mid court. At this point, your guards must rush the point guard thus trapping him.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. Your body will retain balance and move quicker when you have strong core muscles. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.

TIP! To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. If you can become more dexterous with it in all aspects of your life, you will be bettering your control of it.

Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. This may confuse your opponents, greatly. If you do it right, the look makes members of the opposing team look in the wrong direction, which gives the person to whom you passed the ball plenty of time to make the shot. It can be a really powerful play.

TIP! To improve 3 point shooting, practice from NBA distance, at least. The standard line and college lines are much closer.

Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. You will get new dribbling skills with your weak hand.

TIP! Use workouts to better your game. Sprinting exercises can help you to become faster, while running for long distances can assist you in making it through the whole game.

You can now be confident in your ability to play basketball. Now you may even have a few pointers that people you know didn’t even have in mind. Drill as much as you can but remember that playing basketball should be fun. Winning will be fun, too, of course!