TIP! Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This is one of those shots that seem easy but in real life are difficult.

Millions of people adore basketball around the world. It is not so difficult as to exclude large groups. When playing, you are learning how to cooperate with a group and the value of being a good sportsman, win or lose. Read on to learn some great tips about the popular game of basketball.

TIP! When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet.

Practice shooting free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. Try using this technique in practicing. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Have your eyes on your goal and picture your ball going into it. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.

TIP! Practice layups often. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. This is simply an improvised move. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

TIP! Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals.

You should practice pass catching regularly. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you. In the heat of the game, not every pass is going to hit the bulls-eye. Therefore, it pays to practice catching passes that are a bit off-target.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? You should try a back pass. To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand.

Don’t spend all your time practicing how to confront a zone defense. You can count on quite a bit of the game being played in zone; however, you should not be surprised if it becomes one-on-one coverage just for the sake of confusion. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles.

A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes. Even though this is not an easy drill, you will be rewarded for your efforts during game time.

TIP! You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Study video tape on your opponent and read over any scouting reports.

Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.

TIP! Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit.

If you have a child that is strength training for basketball, their core muscles should be properly developed. That means their hips, lower back and abs. A good core leads to a solid foundation and that is required to be very good at basketball. A core that’s solid and strong will allow you to use force that comes from your legs so you can jump higher and run faster.

TIP! Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest.

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. Players should use hand signals often when available for a pass. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.

TIP! To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement.

Speed is everything in basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. If you play basketball past your own speed ability, then you can lose control of you game with bad passes and needless turnovers.

TIP! To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player.

Why do so many people love basketball? That’s because it’s fun and easy to learn to play. The advice above is vital for anyone who is a fan of the game. Use these tips to become better and be sure to keep practicing.