TIP! Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one.

The happiness that basketball brings to so many is really quite amazing. Of course you will never stop learning better ways to become a better player. Keep reading if you’d like to get some insight as to what you should do to get better at basketball.

TIP! Balance is vital to good shooting. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders.

Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. The offense gets lots of attention, but if the defense is lacking no basketball team will ever win a game.

TIP! If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best.

If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. This must be done quickly to be successful. When executed properly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.

TIP! You should often work on your layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. This will assist you in perfecting your ability to jump and then shoot.

TIP! There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. Without a strong mindset, your body simply goes through the motions to take the shot.

Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. Avoid this using hand signals to see if they can get the pass. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

TIP! Watch how the pros play basketball. It is important that you see how other people play the game.

If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Ensure that you line up your shoulders so that they are squared with the basketball net. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

TIP! Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. This way, you have the opportunity to go through your play at a later time and see your mistakes. Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. Sometimes, it helps a lot to see yourself as you really are and not as just you imagine yourself to be.

TIP! Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Do they feel you are really good at something? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed.

Create and stick to a routine each time you prepare to shoot a free throw. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.

TIP! Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement.

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. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. This helps to maintain balance throughout your body and allows you to use yourself as a barrier between the defender and yourself.

TIP! If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. Practice this maneuver by bouncing the basketball between your legs while taking steps.

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you aren’t able to be consistent then you’ll be off when you shoot. The most effective method to achieve a great free throw is by practicing it repeatedly until you get it right. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.

TIP! Your routines must be consistent for free throws. A consistent routine enables the shooter to have a perfect motion every time.

To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so try to slip by them to obtain the ball. You won’t foul as you catch the rebound this way.

TIP! Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable.

Dribbling the ball fast and hard will help you to keep better control of it. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. When closely guarding another player, cease dribbling and pass it to another play on your team that’s open.

TIP! You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. Be aware that the defender who is below you will start moving in your direction.

Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” This is so that you’re able to catch passes, get shots in, and look at the scoreboard. You want your peripheral vision to be as good as it can. Tunnel vision makes it difficult to play effectively, so try to view the entire court and all players.

TIP! Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position.

A key play on defense is to draw a charge. When you take a charge, you have the opportunity to get a defensive stop, your team gets the ball and an additional foul is set up against the other team. This can make for good psychological warfare.

TIP! Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body.

While you dribble, alternate your momentum from your left to right side. This will have you ready for a game, when you will need to move any direction on a moment’s notice. While the court may be open at times, this only means you’re likely to get swarmed. Going through the court will be easier if you can quickly adjust your direction without interrupting your dribbling. It can help you get out of a jam.

TIP! To better your outdoor shooting skills, take about a hundred shots every day from various places on the court. To improve further, work on fast dribbling just before shooting.

Dribble in a rhythmic way until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass. Perfecting this can make you nearly unstoppable on the court.

TIP! Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. Be careful not to push your opponent or you may get a foul.

Practice all kinds of shots from every court location. The first thing to do is work on balance and grip. Off-balance shooting is possible but much less accurate. You can perfect your basketball grip by using the ball valve. Put the middle of your shooting hand over the basketball’s valve.

TIP! When guarding a player who exceeds you in size, attempt to stay in between that player and the one with the ball. This prevents them from becoming open for passes and makes sure that they do not get the ball, which they would be have the ability to shoot over you.

One way to force turnovers is to make your opponent change course. Whether you’re playing defense or offense, it’s crucial to control the other player’s movements. It also allows you to have the freedom to move to an increasingly powerful position.

TIP! Practice dribbling the ball on both sides and in front of you. When you do this, the ball will move quickly and give a defender little time to try and snatch it from you.

You can enjoy both watching basketball and playing it. To be the best player you can be, you must know the basics. We hope the article above has served as a key resource for you to accomplish just that.