TIP! Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips.

Do you wish you were like a famous ball player, such as Lebron James or Michael Jordan. Instead of just aspiring to be a great, why not continue to learn more techniques and strategies that can help you out. Read these tips to take your natural basketball skills to the next level.

TIP! If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player.

Learn the best way to make your free throws. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. Practice frequently using these techniques. Place the ball right in line with your face. Focus on the basket and picture the ball slipping into the net. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.

TIP! Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time.

Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet. Take the ball with you wherever you go. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.

TIP! Never practice only against the zone. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing.

You should practice your crossovers a lot. This technique passes the ball back and forth from the right hand to the left hand. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. When you do it right, the crossover dribble helps you alter directions and go down the court faster.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes.

Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. Perfecting this skill will enable you to get to the rim effortlessly during a game.

Bounce Pass

TIP! To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level. Letting the ball bounce close to the other person will help the accuracy of your pass. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.

TIP! When you are on the defense, the key is to stay as low as you can. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier.

A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best. By doing this, you will quickly find that players all have their unique subset of skills, allowing you the best chance to see what areas are the best fit for your personal game.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. Once he passes mid court the guards should rush up on him.

Never play through an injury on the court. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. If an injury is serious, go to see a physician.

TIP! To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. You’ll find it becomes more controllable.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. Much like boxers do, you have the ability to bolster your footwork and agility by using a jump rope.

TIP! Make sure you practice shooting all over the court. Balance and grip are the first two things to practice.

If you want to make the most of your layup, push up from the foot that is opposite the hand you will shoot from. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. Also, this will improve your balance as you approach the basket.

Free Throw

TIP! One way to force turnovers is to make your opponent change course. Whether you are playing defense or offense, you must be capable of controlling the directions of opposing players.

A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. Inconsistency will ruin your shots. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. You’ll miss if you don’t have a good routine down.

TIP! If you notice that a player is weaker with one hand, put them in a situation where they will have to use that hand. For instance, you could step toward a player on their right side to force them to switch to their left hand.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable. The more aggressive you are the better. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. Instead, disrupt their rhythm by making the first move.

TIP! Position yourself between the ball carrier and your opponent if they are bigger than you. This prevents them from getting easy passes, and hopefully prevents them from catching the ball and shooting it over your head.

Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can stay stationary, catch all the ball, and shoot them from that same location. The best way to get into the flow of the game is to be in motion.

TIP! Learning how to pass is critical to the game of basketball. Passing keeps your opponent guessing and on their toes.

In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. You need to seek out a way to quickly slide around your opponent and be able to quickly react to the ball. Doing this lets you get a rebound freely and not commit a foul in the process.

TIP! Recognizes your weaknesses. Be true to yourself.

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 might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. You will find that it becomes easier to score and make layups.

Strength Training

TIP! Dribbling is both mental and physical, especially for advanced athletes. You control the spin of the ball, where it lands and how hard.

In order to improve your game, make sure you do plenty of strength training. In addition, stamina is important to the game, too. Small kids who play stand to reap real benefits from strengthening their legs and arms. If you have been exercising regularly for years, it might be time to introduce weights into the mix. When you get to be an adult is when you want to concentrate on strength training to help improve durability on the court.

TIP! You don’t want to get in an argument with the game officials. It is OK to disagree, or even ask a question.

To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. The international line is much closer. If you are able to make NBA-range three-point-shots, you will be able to find more open looks during your own games.

TIP! Even more than other popular team sports, good communication is vital in basketball. In order to establish a solid base of communication, it must be practiced from the beginning.

After going through this article you should be able to practice a number of things. It’s important to practice regularly and be confident with what you are doing. Keep this excellent advice in mind as you show off your new skills on the court.