TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. This term refers to switching the hand you use.

Basketball is a classic sport which is loved by all. However, not everyone knows what you need to be a real success at it. This article is meant for everyone to further appreciate the game of basketball, and to get better.

TIP! Keep practicing your layups. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This provides you with much more ball control. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.

TIP! Practice catching passes as often as you can. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes.

When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. Dribble as you walk down the street. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.

TIP! Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard.

You should often work on your layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

TIP! If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. This will involve their lower back, hips, and abs.

Practice catching passes often. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. You can do the rest of your team a favor by practicing how you can best complete imperfect passes.

TIP! A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes.

Would you like to fool the opposing team? Trick them using a back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand. Pull it behind you. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

Core Muscles

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling.

Basketball players of all ages benefit from exercises that strengthen their core. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. Core muscles are the connectors between arms and legs. If the core muscles are weak, basketball performance will suffer. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.

TIP! Dribbling the ball fast and hard will help you to keep better control of it. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. It’s frustrating to pass to your teammate at the very moment they’re heading toward the basket. The use of hand signals can help you avoid this difficulty. Without a signal, you should not attempt to pass the ball to a player.

TIP! A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. This may seem like an impossible challenge, but it will increase your stride length and your speed.

Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. Do you have an area where you excel? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

TIP! When you have a chance, take a charge. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball.

If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. Don’t allow yourself to have your palm touching the ball either. When passing and shooting the ball toward its target, the sole contact point should be fingers.

TIP! While you’re dribbling the basketball it is wise to bend your knees. Standing straight makes it hard to control the ball.

No one can deny that basketball is loved by many cultures. Knowledge is what it takes to have fun with basketball and play it to the best of your ability. Use the information in this article to see how much better basketball can be.