TIP! To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard.

Many people love basketball. Basketball is universally enjoyable by people who want to play for fun and those who wish to play semi professionally or professionally. Those who play would prefer to become better players and win games. Below are several useful ideas for bettering your game and scoring some real victories.

TIP! Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.

TIP! Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect.

To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Even though your best abilities might not make you stand out each game, it is sure to help you contribute to the overall success of the team. Find you best position and then refine it until you are unbeatable.

TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

Do not practice solely against zone defense. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes. Failure to prepare for this type of tactic makes you more vulnerable and hurts your team.

TIP! Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. It can be frustrating to attempt to pass the ball to a team mate as that person is heading toward the basket.

A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. Playing the game without the use of dribbling is a challenge, but it can help you and your team learn to make more precise passes. Do not get frustrated if it it seems difficult at first, over time your team’s passes will become more accurate.

TIP! Footwork is the best way to find an opening shot. You must beat the opposing playing to an open spot.

If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.

TIP! Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. They will probably notice the things you do best.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. In addition, keep your palm off of the ball. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.

TIP! You never want to have your back to the ball if you can help it. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times.

If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. Mastering this movement gives you a big advantage on the court.

TIP! If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. This keeps it under control.

If you want to dribble the basketball better, you need to practice dribbling with your weaker hand. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.

TIP! When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games.

Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.

TIP! Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. If you step on the baseline, you will be out of bounds.

Make it your goal to dribble the ball across the entire court in under 5 dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. You will have easy layups on fast breaks and you will be able to advance your team easily.

TIP! You need to constantly disrupt your opponents in order to be a great defensive player. Make them uncomfortable.

Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. You want to make sure that you see what is going on to the sides of you. It allows you to view the game as a whole rather than simply watching the ball. In this way, you can be aware of the players around you.

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling.

You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. Using both hands when playing is an important skill if you can develop it when you’re not playing. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.

TIP! Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up.

To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. High school lines, international standard lines, and college lines are much closer. Nailing shots from the NBA line can really help improve your overall shooting skills.

TIP! Building strength improves your basketball game. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy.

Practice shooting hundreds of shots during each training, and you quickly improve shooting skills. Try to practice a hard dribble followed by a quick shot. Focus on the target when airborne, but never before. Your accuracy will get better and you’ll have a better idea of what real game conditions will be like.

Stop Dribbling

TIP! Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. A team that works together is an unstoppable team.

Only stop dribbling if you want to shoot or pass. When you stop dribbling, then you limit your options. If you cannot pass or shoot, you can only pivot with your back foot. When you do this, your opponents can double team you and steal the ball.

TIP! Try to stay calm as you shoot. Keep your view on the basket.

You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it. Just keep it raised a little while you dribble with your dribbling hand.

TIP! All great basketball players must master pivoting. Having excellent footwork through repetition in practice allows you to develop a nice pivot that becomes second nature in a game.

Maintain a rhythm to the dribble until you are ready to surprise the opponent. Changing your pace can confuse them. The speed as well as the shift in sound combine to cause confusion.

TIP! When your defending, forcing the opposing team’s player to the sideline is helpful. Allowing the opposing players to rule the middle court will give them too many options.

After reading the above article you should be familiar with how to get better at basketball. It is important to understand the fundamentals of the game if you plan on being a great player. Anytime you practice it makes you a better player, and whenever you have the opportunity to do so, do it. No matter if you’re practicing with a group of friends or your team, the more chances you get to perfect your skills, the better you become as a player.