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

Basketball is an exciting sport. However, if you wish to do your best at basketball, you have to learn a few different things first. This article will give you advice to assist you in becoming a better player.

TIP! Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing.

Make sure to dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. Using your fingers allows you to better control the basketball. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. That technique of running and jumping helps you get ready for an actual game.

Bounce Pass

TIP! If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are.

A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

TIP! To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck.

You should practice pass catching regularly. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. Help your teammates by learning what you need to haul in those imperfect passes.

TIP! Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. An exercise to help develop your basketball skills is to perform wrist curls.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own. That is okay. You can still accomplish a lot when playing solo. You can work on pivots and free throws. Many things can be practiced.

TIP! Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so try to slip by them to obtain the ball.

Never play through an injury on the court. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt. You can quickly turn a strain into a debilitating medical issue if you do not take a break from the action. Seek medical advice immediately if you have more than a minor muscle strain.

TIP! Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. A hard dribble returns the ball back to you faster, leaving less chance of it being snatched by the other team.

When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Similar to boxers, jumping rope can better your speed and footwork.

TIP! Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body.

To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else. Don’t dilly dally, but do complete your ritual.

TIP! To increase your basketball playing abilities, consider strength training exercises. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball.

To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. If you use your right hand to shoot, use your left foot to take off. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.

TIP! Stay low when you play defense. You will become faster and react faster.

Using a weaker hand helps improve overall dribbling skills. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. This will train your weaker hand to dribble and control the ball well.

TIP! As the point guard approaches within 10 feet of the middle of the court, your guards should take action and create a 2-3 trap. Then your defending guards should encircle the point guard to trap him in place.

Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. If an opposing player is guarding you to the point where you can’t dribble well, it’s time to pass to an open teammate.

TIP! To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. The International standard line, as well as college and high school lines are all closer.

Take charges whenever you have the opportunity. A charge can help you take the ball and perhaps set up a foul against the other team. This is play that’s powerful.

TIP! A corner shot often bounces to the opposite end of the court. Pay attention to this as you prepare for a rebound.

One of the best ways to always be in proper defensive position is to never break out of the defensive stance. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.

TIP! Double dribbling is not a habit you want to get into. Double dribbling happens when you’ve stopped dribbling once, and then start again a few seconds later.

Stay low when you play defense. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Stay in your defensive stance all the time. If you need to block the opposing team’s shot, resume your stance as soon as you can.

TIP! If you’re sure that the person in possession of the ball isn’t good with one hand, try getting them to use it. If they are right handed, step towards them with your left foot so they have to switch sides.

To help practice three-point shooting you should practice shooting at the NBA distance. The standard line and college lines are much closer. Hitting from the NBA range makes you get deeper-ranged looks than the defense will be guarding you at.

TIP! Penetrating dribbling is essential to defeating the zone defense. Passing a defender with the ball causes the defenders to collapse inward.

Foster a positive relationship with your team members regardless of whether you are playing or practicing. When a basketball team is totally in sync, the game is taken to a higher level. When you feel like your team is part of your family, you have mutual trust. This bond will bring your game to new levels.

TIP! Practice dribbling the ball hard while still keeping it under control. A ball bounced harder travels more quickly, thereby giving your opponent less opportunity to try to steal it from you.

You must know how to pivot correctly when playing basketball. You must practice footwork so that you are comfortable on your feet. Develop your pivot stance, and the practice quick reactions with the ball in hand.

TIP! When you’re on defense, make sure you apply pressure to player with the ball. If you can stay within a six foot distance of that player, then he has to pass the ball before 5 seconds elapses.

In order to beat a zone defense you must be able to get ball penetration into the lane. Getting past a defender will cause the opposing team to change how they are playing. If you have an inside shot, go for it. However, if one of your teammates is wide open then quickly pass them the ball for an easier shot.

Workout Routine

TIP! Work on skills used defensively. You will stand a much better chance of winning games if you can successfully block shots and force turnovers.

Have a solid plan when carrying out your workout routine. A lot of players go to practice with no plan. They start chatting and don’t really know what they need to work on. If you write down your workout routine, you could focus on improvements without any distractions.

TIP! Use the simplest and most direct method to pass the ball. Pass fast, pay attention and know who has the ball.

As this article mentioned, basketball is a beloved sport enjoyed globally. To play in the manner of a professional, you need to have a great deal of knowledge. Put these tips to use to become a better basketball player.