TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling.

For years, basketball has been a popular sport all across the world. If you are going to play basketball, start by having some serious practice drills. Be sure to attend carefully to this article to gain valuable knowledge.

TIP! A bounce pass is essential to learn. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist.

Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand. It should be done quickly. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.

TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed.

Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. Your best talent may not make you the star of every game, but learning to play your best angle will help you contribute more to the team. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs.

Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Watch as many games on TV as you can. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Monitor scouting news and watch footage of other teams in action.

Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. Therefore, learn how to catch any type of pass so that you can help lead your team to victory.

TIP! Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction. You can avoid this by using hand signals if a player is able to take a pass. If you don’t receive a signal then realize your teammate is not able to get the pass.

TIP! Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot.

Never try to push through pain after an injury. Basketball is physically demanding, and injuries are relatively common. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. If an injury is serious, go to see a physician.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game.

Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Always scout the court for areas that will open up and allow you to make a clear shot.

TIP! Practice passing while looking in other directions. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team.

Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. This can help you to remain in control of the ball at all times. In addition, keep your palm off of the ball. You should only use your fingers to touch the ball when passing or shooting.

Pay Attention

TIP! Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. Not to just be able to see the scoreboard, but to actually make a shot and catch a pass.

Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. Pay attention to how they play. Pay attention to dominant hands. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. Smart defenders are good defenders.

TIP! If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that.

If you’re quick on the basketball court, you have a built in advantage. Speeding up the temp allows you to out-quick your opponent. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. You will end up in a turnover if you play too fast.

TIP! To make your shooting skills better, shoot from all around the court. To get even better, try to practice dribbling and quickly shooting.

A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. Sometimes it’s beneficial to look at yourself the way you really look and not just like you think you look.

TIP! If someone is shooting from a corner of the court, a missed shot will likely bounce right over the net and to the other side of the court. Attempt to catch the resulting rebound by watching the angle from which it was shot.

When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This will easily confuse your opponents. If you can do this correctly, you’ll be able to free up time for the person that you’ve passed to. It’s a great play if done properly.

TIP! Positioning is key in picking up an essential rebound. Use both feet when jumping; this improves both height and control.

The game will be more fun if you keep the tips in your mind when you practice. Take time to read this and visit basketball references online to learn more. The next time you are on the court, think back to what you’ve just read.