TIP! Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

Basketball is not a particularly complex game and the rules are simple to understand. Basic techniques can be learned in a couple minutes. There will always be more to learn when you want be good at playing basketball, and the tips that follow will be helpful place to get you started.

TIP! Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling. When you do this you will have more control over the ball. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Never look at the ground. Always look up.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills.

If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

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. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles.

Practice your layup shot often. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.

TIP! In order to be more reliable shooting free throws, practice your routine. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot.

Free throws require as much mental focus as physical skill. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time. Relax yourself and concentrate on your shot.

TIP! You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. Inconsistency will ruin your shots.

You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.

Core Muscles

TIP! You need to mess with your opponent’s head. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, ensure they’re training core muscles in the right way. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. The core links both the lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they will have limited athletic performance. When your core muscles are strong, you become a more powerful force on the court. This means greater speed and higher jumping skills.

TIP! Make sure your vision is good. This will prepare you for unexpected passes and help you evade defenders.

Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. Can you get better at something? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. When you find out what they think, you may learn a lot.

TIP! An excellent way to have proper defensive posture is to remain in the correct stance. Slide your feet to the sides or push off using the opposite foot to always be in position.

Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. Your palm should not be touching the ball. You should try your best to only hold onto the ball with your fingertips when passing and shooting.

TIP! If you want to put pressure on the offense, you need to change the pace of things. As you are heading towards the net, straighten up and plant down your foot.

Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better. Honestly and openly assess your own performance. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

TIP! To help practice three-point shooting you should practice shooting at the NBA distance. The international line is much closer.

Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. If you master this, you will be able to quickly take layups.

TIP! Make sure your off-court exercise is appropriate to help your on-court game. For example, building up your stamina will help you play your hardest throughout the game.

Don’t break out of defensive stance always remain in the proper defensive position. Shifting your weight back and forth between your feet will help you to stay in position. Never cross your feet and your opponents will find you a difficult player.

TIP! To become a much better basketball player, try speaking with teammates and learning what they do. It takes the efforts of an entire team to succeed.

When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. This allows you to jump or react quicker. Keep yourself in proper defensive stance at all times. You may have to break your stance if you must block a shot, but return as fast as you can.

TIP! Make sure you don’t double dribble. This occurs when you have stopped dribbling, held the ball for a few seconds, and then start dribbling again.

Switch the weight of your body while you are dribbling. This will happen during games frequently. While the court may be open at times, this only means you’re likely to get swarmed. You must know how to dribble the ball no matter what your body is doing. This allows you to get yourself out of a tough spot.

TIP! To help maintain your balance when catching a rebound, try to land with your feet shoulder width apart. Have your hands on both sides of the ball.

Maybe you just began learning about playing basketball before you read this. Or, maybe you have been playing ball since you were little. Either way, the information located above can assist you in becoming a great ball player. Use this information the very next time you play.