TIP! Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. By doing this, you will quickly find that players all have their unique subset of skills, allowing you the best chance to see what areas are the best fit for your personal game.

Basketball fans transform whenever basketball season comes, whether it’s playing or just supporting their teams. Part of keeping your fans happy is giving them something to cheer about. Start practicing now and improve your game. These tips help you be on a winning team.

TIP! Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Muscle strength is beneficial for playing any basketball position, but there is such a thing as too much.

Correct dribbling is key. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. This allows you to control the ball better. Bounce only at the level of your waist at the side and not in front. Instead of focusing on the ground, gaze upward.

TIP! Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with.

The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. One of the best ways to improve your dribbling is to bring your ball along anytime you need to walk somewhere. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.

TIP! Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball.

Balance is vital to good shooting. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique. This is simply an improvised move. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.

TIP! It is best to take a break if you sustain an injury while playing. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.

TIP! It’s great to be quick in basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage.

Do you want to fool the other team? Try the back pass. Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Pass the ball from behind your back by flicking your wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This helps trick your opponents.

TIP! Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it.

Do not wait for any special season to play some basketball. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. There is nothing wrong with that. There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. Work on free throws and pivot moves. Many things can be practiced.

TIP! A consistent routine will help you to achieve great free throws. When you stay consistent, you get better success.

You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. Are you really good at any one thing? Perhaps you are quick footed, or you are always ready to lend a hand on the court. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.

TIP! To nab a rebound from a free throw attempt of a teammate, footwork is key. Defenders will start to move at you, so you need to get around them to grab the ball.

Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. Pay attention to dominant hands. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.

TIP! To convert the typical 2-3 zone to a trapping machine, get the best pair of defenders available to wait just until the opposing point guard reaches roughly ten feet beyond the mid-court line. This can give them an opportunity to run up to that point guard to trap them.

Quickness is something that’s desired in basketball. Gaining agility and speed will give you the upper hand when playing a game of basketball. In order to play fast, you must practice drills. Don’t try playing fast until you can. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.

TIP! Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. If you can become more dexterous with it in all aspects of your life, you will be bettering your control of it.

Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. It can be an eye-opener to see how you’re playing the game really, not just what you picture it to be.

TIP! You should spend some time shooting from various places on the court. First, practice your balance and grip.

When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.

TIP! For the best balance, make sure you land with your feet spread apart. Keep your elbows out to protect the ball and keep it close to your chest.

A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.

TIP! Grabbing and keeping a rebound depends on how well you’re positioned before and after the ball comes off the rim. When you jump, use both legs to give yourself a boost.

You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you’re able to dribble in any situation. Don’t think you can just go somewhere on the court, catch a ball and then make a successful shot. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.

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. For instance, you could step toward a player on their right side to force them to switch to their left hand.

Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. This is so that you’re able to catch passes, get shots in, and look at the scoreboard. You want to make sure that you see what is going on to the sides of you. If you scan the entire court instead of keeping your eye on the basketball, you will be aware of oncoming defensive pressure as well as the positions of your open teammates.

TIP! If you find yourself guarding against a large opponent, just stay in between the ball and them. This prevents any easy passes that can go over your head.

Clearly, many things exist that can help bolster your game. Better players make better teams. Many people have a part in basketball, even if they are just cheering in the crowd. Your part as a player is to assist your team any way that you can. Use these tips to improve your skills and become a valuable teammate.