TIP! Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t.

Lots of people love to play basketball a lot because it’s exciting and fast-paced. However, if you want to thoroughly enjoy the game, you should know all you can. This article will provide you with great tips to better your game.

TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more.

A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. This is the most popular shot in basketball. When you are practicing, run full speed at the goal and make the shot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

TIP! You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. 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.

Practice playing by yourself. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. This is just fine. Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. Many things can be practiced.

TIP! To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket.

Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. What are your your best skill areas? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. Find out what others think your natural abilities are, and be certain to keep developing those skills.

TIP! As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core.

Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. To practice, simply bounce the basketball between your legs while stepping either forward or backwards. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.

TIP! Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit.

Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. If you’re doing it correctly you can fake your opponent out so he/she moves towards that direction and then you pass the ball to a wide open teammate for a shot. It’s a great play if done properly.

TIP! For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time.

To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off. This balances your body when moving towards your basket. It keeps your body in between you and the defender.

Free Throw

TIP! Work on passing in a direction you are not looking. This may confuse your opponents, greatly.

Get into a consistent routine to improve your free throw shots. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. If you are off your game, you will not make the shot.

TIP! In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. As you are heading towards the net, straighten up and plant down your foot. The guard may think you’ve slowed down and may try to straighten themselves. When they do this, push yourself forward and take the chance to run by them.

TIP! Take charges whenever you have the opportunity. Taking charges gives you a chance for earning a defensive stop, gives your team the ball, and gives one more foul called in your favor.

Strength and flexibility training can help your skills in basketball. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. It can help young kids get the exercise they need. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. As an adult, strength training becomes vital in order to play your best basketball.

TIP! Basketball players can greatly benefit from strength training. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport.

To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. Then they should run to the point guard and trap him. Then, have the forwards on blocks run to the wing players. Point guards need to throw up passes that your team’s forwards can steal easily.

TIP! In order to help develop your non-dominant hand, you should use that hand only when trying to open things, and also when brushing your teeth. If you’re able to become more ambidextrous, you are going to be able to better control it on the court.

When you dribble, keep your knees comfortably bent. When you are rigid, the ball is not only hard to control, it is also an easier target for a rival to steal. Bending your knees slightly can really make a difference in the way you control the ball.

TIP! Make sure you don’t pick up your dribble unless you are prepared for a shot or pass. If you stop dribbling, then you don’t really have that many options.

If you wish to shoot on the outside better you should work on shooting hundreds of times every day from a lot of places on the court. Try dribbling a little and pull up for your shot. Look at the target when you’re airborne and not a moment before. This way, you will be ready for the rapid pace of game play.

TIP! Serious basketball players take their diets seriously too. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein.

Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce above your knees when you dribble. Doing this makes it more difficult for members of the opposing team to steal the ball from you. This also allows you to cover large distances across the court, which makes it difficult for opposing players o block you.

TIP! For example, a misfired shot launched from the corner of a basketball court usually hits the net, bounces off the site, and lands on the opposite side. Place yourself in position after this shot is made.

Communication with your team mates is crucial to your overall success. Your actions and strategies must not be kept to yourself. Basketball is considered a team sport. That means offense and defense aren’t one on one. Everyone helps everyone else. If you believe others can help you improve, let them know. The result benefits you and your entire team.

TIP! You need to be able to alter your opponents path. Whether you are playing offense or defense, gaining control over the path of your opponent is a critical skill.

It is necessary for you to change the path of your opponent. It is irrelevant whether you are playing defense or offense; in both cases, your ability to control the direction of your opponent is critical. This will let you go where you would like and they cannot determine your path.

TIP! Be sure that you’re not double dribbling. When you stop dribbling and then begin again is double dribbling.

Try to stay calm as you shoot. Keep focused on the goal. You should work to keep your eyes on the point furthest away from you on the hoop when you’re shooting. If you are not doing a lay-up, it is best to look at the area from which the ball should bank off.

TIP! Understand when a pass is a better choice or when a shot is open. You don’t want to be the player that cost your team the game due to your selfishness.

Your height has nothing to do with your ability to play defense. This will make them not available for a pass which can help you to be sure that they can’t just get the ball and shoot over you.

TIP! Make passing an important element of your game. Passing causes confusion among your opponents.

As you can see, people around the world love basketball. This article shows that you must have basketball knowledge to play like the pros. Become a better player by using the advice above.