TIP! The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that.

Folks of all persuasions have long been enamored with the sport of basketball. Not all people are aware of the true fundamentals of the game. These tips can help anybody improve their basketball skills, no matter what their age.

TIP! If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player.

A bounce pass is essential to learn. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.

TIP! Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it.

A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. You are sure to notice the key skills each player has mastered, and from there you can start practicing.

TIP! If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles.

Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. During a game, not all of your passes will hit the mark. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

TIP! If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop.

Build hand signals so passes are more successful. You can become easily frustrated when a teammate does a poor job of anticipating your next passing move. These common miscommunications can be avoided by utilizing hand signals, which tells the passing player the other player is ready for a pass. If you don’t see a signal, you shouldn’t pass the ball.

TIP! Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it.

Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Pay attention to open areas for passes, too.

TIP! Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands.

If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Pay attention to how they play. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Defense is more effective when you know what your opponent is likely to do. Smart defenders are good defenders.

Core Muscles

TIP! Always maintain a defensive stance when you are trying to properly defend the goal. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride.

When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! Stay low when playing defense. Staying low will help you to be a more swift opponent when you mirror the man standing in your path.

You need to be quick to be good at basketball. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent. Regular drilling will increase your speed. Don’t try playing fast until you can. If you play too quickly, you lose control over the ball and the match.

TIP! Work on dribbling the ball while switching the momentum of the body from side to side. Real game dribbling has a lot of variety.

Develop a routine to use every time you shoot a free throw. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. Just keep things brief, but make sure you always do the same moves.

TIP! You’ll want to use the hand that you aren’t dribbling with as a barrier to protect the ball. You can’t push on your opponent, but you should use your non-dribbling arm to protect the ball.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. This can help you to remain balanced, continue moving toward the hoop, and will keep your body between the defender and yourself.

TIP! Keep the lines of communication with other players open. Basketball is a team sport.

To get better at three-point shots, work on shooting from the NBA three-point line. The established International standard line is closer, as are the high school and college lines. Putting in the shot from the NBA distance will give you an advantage over defenders who are not expecting it.

TIP! Always know the angles the ball is likely to take if it misses a goal. Anticipate where the ball lands and grab the rebound.

Dribble the ball below knee level. This is going to make things harder for your opponents if they want to steal the ball. You’ll have to bend down a little to do this, but you’ll find you move more quickly down the court because your opponents aren’t able to impede your progress.

TIP! Make sure you leap for a rebound while in control of your body, and try to land with balance, and you are more likely to end up with the ball. For better power and balance, jump using both feet and take the basketball with both of your hands.

Basketball is enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds. You have to have the right information to truly enjoy and play the game, though. This article can help you build your skills.