TIP! Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling.

Have you every wished you were LeBron James or Michael Jordan? Instead of just aspiring to be a great, why not continue to learn more techniques and strategies that can help you out. Continue reading this article so that you can find out how to do that.

TIP! Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet.

Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Use fingertips to dribble. This helps you to control the ball better. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! Focus on your strong point to help you become a better ball player. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best.

Learn the best way to make your free throws. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy. Practice this technique regularly. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Visualize the ball sailing into the hoop. Then try shooting the ball along the trajectory that was in your mind.

TIP! Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level.

Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough. Always have a basketball handy. Keep dribbling the ball even while you’re doing your errands. Always look ahead when you are dribbling the ball.

TIP! Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes.

Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

TIP! If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot.

Practice catching passes as often as you can. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

TIP! You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. You will notice that most basketball players have well-defined muscles that are not overdeveloped.

Core Muscles

TIP! To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements.

If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. By developing a strong core, your legs will follow suit.

TIP! To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Are you able to look at your skills in a different light? Be honest in your assessment but not overly critical. It can be an eye-opener to see how you’re playing the game really, not just what you picture it to be.

TIP! Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off.

Develop a routine to use every time you shoot a free throw. For example, you might tug your ear, dribble three times, or flex your wrists. As long as it’s quick, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your “ritual.”

TIP! Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.

TIP! Only stop dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. After you have stopped dribbling, your options are quite limited.

Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. Don’t think you can just go somewhere on the court, catch a ball and then make a successful shot. You must move the ball to have things happen.

TIP! Your exercise off the court needs to help your game. Running sprints can make you faster on individual plays, while long-distance running helps you make it through a game with good stamina.

In order to ensure that you are always ready to defend, keep your stance at all times. You will always be in a defensive position if you slide your feet one way and then the other and push off using your opposing foot. Never cross your feet and your opponents will find you a difficult player.

TIP! You need to follow a rhythm when you dribble so you can break the rhythm and throw off an opponent. By dribbling consistently and then breaking it up into a different rhythm that’s fast, you can trick an opponent so you have more time to shoot.

In order to improve your weaker hand, make use of it for everyday things, such as brushing your teeth, eating out of a spoon, etc. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.

TIP! Double dribbling is a huge no-no. This happens when you cease dribbling once and begin again within a few seconds.

Always bend the knees while dribbling. If you are standing up straight, you will have more difficulty controlling the ball. You only need to bend your knees slightly to improve your control of the basketball.

TIP! Try to force your opponent to rely on their non-dominant hand. For example, if your opponent is right handed, force them to use their left hand.

Switch the weight of your body while you are dribbling. You will dribble during different situations. The court might be wide open, but you could just as easily be swarmed by many opponents. You must know how to dribble the ball no matter what your body is doing. It can help you get out of a jam.

TIP! Keep calm while shooting the ball. Keep your eyes and thoughts focused on the basket.

After having read this article, you now have a few things that you can go practice. You must practice every day and be confident that you can win. Keep your head up and use what you learned here.