TIP! The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more.

Basketball is a widely popular sport with many fans. One thing to do if you wish to keep people cheering is to do well at basketball. Every teammate contributes, so taking time to figure out your skills can help you better your game. Start practicing today. These tips help you be on a winning team.

TIP! Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed.

Practice shooting free throws. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not. Practice a lot with the following method. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

TIP! Practice catching passes often. While you are practicing, you should be sure to drill yourself on catching errant throws, as well as catching those perfect passes.

You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. Falling when you make a shot is not the right way to shoot. Taking a shot when you are off balance will probably lead to a turnover. If you are able to improve your sense of balance, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? Consider the back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around. There is nothing wrong with that. You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. Work on free throws or three pointers. You can always hone your skills when practicing alone.

TIP! Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong.

Turning away from the ball can be a costly mistake in basketball. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.

TIP! Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes.

One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. Pay attention to dominant hands. When you know more about the opposing team, you will play a better defense. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.

TIP! Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.

TIP! Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. This way, you have the opportunity to go through your play at a later time and see your mistakes.

Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. If you have the ball and you step outside the baseline, then you’re out of bounds. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! Develop a routine to use every time you shoot a free throw. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! Practice passing while looking another way. This throws your opponents off.

Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.

TIP! In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left.

Make sure your vision is good. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. Your peripheral vision should be at its best. Watching the whole court allows you to foresee future attacks from the opponent.

TIP! Don’t leave your defensive stance. Stay in the right position by pushing off of your opposite foot.

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. Taking a charge allows you a chance to earn a defensive stop, take the ball for your team, and sets up one more foul against the opponent. This can be devastating to the other team.

TIP! Avoid dribbling above your knees. Opponents will have a hard time stealing the ball from you if you keep it low.

Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. This will confuse your opponent into adjusting their stance. All the while, push ahead hard then run past them.

TIP! Use your hand to create a barrier between the ball and your opponent. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in.

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 that point, both guards should move in for the trap. While this is going on your forwards can be sprinting to the players located on the wings. The guard on point should make a pass that can easily be stolen by the forwards.

TIP! For exercise, do a workout regimen that will enhance your skills and presence on the court. Distance running will help with stamina and sprinting can help with individual plays.

There are clearly many ways to better your skills. The more you practice, the more team spirit you will gather. Everyone has to play a part in the team and people that cheer on the games also have a big part to play too. Players have to work hard to better their game. Use these tips to be the kind of good, all-around player everyone wants on their team.