TIP! If you get possession of the ball a lot, you must learn the crossover technique. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand.

Basketball is a popular game that is easy to start playing. Every player has their own skills that contribute to wins for their team. The following article will help you improve your basketball skills.

TIP! To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games.

Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is the key to winning. Basketball games are often won by the defense. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.

TIP! It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This will give you better control of the basketball. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.

TIP! Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly.

Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more. You can practice dribbling almost anywhere. Dribble the ball while you’re walking around. Get used to looking up as you go so that you can focus your attention on the court and not on your hands and the ball.

TIP! Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try a back pass. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Trick them using a back pass. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Now hold the ball behind you. Next, snap your wrist in the direction you want the ball to be moved to. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.

TIP! Don’t let the ball go behind your back. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes.

If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. Although it’s important to have a physical presence underneath the basket, it’s more important that you get in a good place before your opponent can. You need to be sure your spot is secure. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.

TIP! If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way.

Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. What areas are your strong points? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Find out what others perceive as your natural gifts and build upon those more completely.

TIP! Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? When looking at the tape, don’t be too critical, but be honest.

To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! Passing the ball through your legs is a useful maneuver if the opposing team is right on top of you. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. It really can be a powerful technique.

TIP! If you want to make the most of your layup, push up from the foot that is opposite the hand you will shoot from. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left.

To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This helps you avoid the foul call and also grab the rebound.

TIP! To gain greater dribbling skill, always practice with the weaker hand as well as the more dominant one. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands.

Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. You will have easy layups on fast breaks and you will be able to advance your team easily.

TIP! A good way to develop ball handling skills is to make your forearms and hands stronger. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills.

Changing up your pace is something you have to do to make sure the offense is paying attention. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

TIP! Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster.

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. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him. While that is happening, your forwards should race out to the opposing wing players. This will likely cause the point guard to make a high, short pass, which your forwards will steal quite easily.

Nba Distance

TIP! Strength training can improve your game. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy.

To improve three-point shooting, do it from NBA distance at the very least. Remember that high school, college and international standard lines are all shorter than the NBA distance. If you can hit from NBA range, you can get open looks at a deeper range than a defense is probably going to mind you (until you start hitting).

TIP! Stay low when you play defense. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

Improving yourself and sharpening your skills goes a long way toward becoming a better basketball player. The tips included above should have given you ideas on how to become better at your chosen sport. Keep these tips in mind during your next practice to improve your game.