TIP! Dribble the ball correctly. You’ll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm.

Many people love basketball. Whether you enjoy watching games, playing for a team or simply playing in the yard, basketball will always be around. Nearly everyone that plays wishes to become a great player and win the game. While you can’t win them all, you sure can bring your game to the next level.

TIP! You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. Bring the ball no matter where you go. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.

TIP! Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. Passes and turnovers won’t take you by surprise because you will be more aware of what is happening on the court.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.

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. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left.

Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. It needs to get to the player at their waist. One good rule is for you to bounce the basketball most of the way toward the other player. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.

Free Throws

TIP! To improve ball handling, consider focusing workouts on your forearms and hands. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking.

Free throws require as much mental focus as physical skill. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws. However, if you’re not in the right state of mind, you won’t succeed. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.

TIP! To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball.

One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling. Don’t be frustrated by how hard it is at first; you will get used to it.

TIP! Dribbling hard helps you protect the ball. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it.

Interested in tricking your opponents? Make use of the back pass. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand. Then, bring the ball back behind you. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. This will confuse the other team into wondering where the ball went.

TIP! Try some drills that require you to move the basketball from one end of the court to the other in no more than five dribbles. This may seem quite difficult at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length.

If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.

TIP! You need to take a charge anytime you can. This strategy can result in your opponent taking a foul and your team getting a defensive stop and taking possession of the ball.

Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Making a goal isn’t just standing there as the ball miraculously comes to you and then shooting it at the basket. It is essential to move the ball around in order to succeed.

TIP! To increase your basketball playing abilities, consider strength training exercises. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength.

Defensive players need to stay low. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Stay in a defensive stance. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to formation as quickly as you can.

TIP! If possible, keep the ball below your knees. This will make your opponent struggle to steal the ball from you.

To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. High school lines, International standard lines, and college lines are closer. 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! Practice shooting the ball from many different areas in order to improve your ability. The first thing to do is work on balance and grip.

Be sure to be well acquainted with your team mates so that you can all work well in cooperation. You need a team to play basketball. Therefore offense and defense do not play one-on-one. Everyone assists each other. If you believe others can help you improve, let them know. The result benefits you and your entire team.

TIP! It is important to take your diet seriously if you want to be the best player you can be. Playing basketball uses a lot of energy, so it is important that you eat a lot of carbs, lean meats and protein.

There are lots of ways to become a better basketball player. Many require nothing more than a commitment to practicing them often. The more you practice, the more you’ll improve your skills. You can perform drills by yourself of with your team, or you can mentor younger players. Any way you approach it, these activities will benefit your game.