TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more.

Most people don’t try to do something unless they have taken their time to learn about it first. Is there really any way that you could become great if you weren’t educated on how to play? In this article, we will discuss some of the top professional tips in the world of basketball.

TIP! Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands.

It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.

TIP! Keep your weight lifting to a minimum as a jump shooter. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This allows you to control the ball better. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Always look upwards, never at the ground.

TIP! Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. You can become easily frustrated when a teammate does a poor job of anticipating your next passing move.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Speed is a key attribute in the game of basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent.

Practice your bounce pass. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. A useful tip is to have the ball bounce roughly 3/4 of the distance to the recipient. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.

TIP! 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 see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself.

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. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.

TIP! You need to take a charge anytime you can. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball.

Do not wait for any special season to play some basketball. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can still do a lot on your own. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. There are always things that can be done.

TIP! Strength training can improve your game. It’s important to have stamina and strength when playing basketball.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.

TIP! If you are in a defensive position, keep yourself low. You will become faster and react faster.

Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Always watch for areas opening up where you can go for a quick basket.

TIP! Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If you are standing up straight, you will have more difficulty controlling the ball.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. Your palm should not be touching the ball. Only use your fingers to dribble, pass or shoot.

TIP! To improve 3 point shooting, practice from NBA distance, at least. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that.

Work on core strength when you work out. Your body will be able to move quicker and be more balanced when you have srong core muscles. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

Opposing Team

TIP! Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another.

If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.

TIP! Double dribbling is not a habit you want to get into. A double dribble occurs when you’re done dribbling one time and then begin to do it again a little while afterwards.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It’s quite a play when done properly.

TIP! Manage your nerves whenever you shoot. It’s important that the basket is your main focus.

Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. After a while, your weak hand will be able to dribble better.

TIP! What’s your weakness? It is vital that you admit them to yourself. You want to practice and strengthen the areas where you have the most trouble.

Changing your pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

TIP! Set your workout goals in writing to help you focus upon them. A lot of players head to the gym without a plan.

Knowing exactly what you need to do to make your game the best it can be will leave you filled with a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. One of these things is learning how to get better at basketball. Learning to play effectively will help you win games and impress your teammates.