TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you.

Most people don’t try to do something unless they have taken their time to learn about it first. Why would you expect to become a great basketball player if you don’t research the game? There are many useful tips in this article that will help your basketball game.

TIP! Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills.

Learn how to hit a free throw shot. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. The following technique should be practiced often. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Then, look at the ball and visualize it going in the basket. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

TIP! Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. Many times you are unable to find people to play with.

Do not wait for any special season to play some basketball. 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. This is perfectly acceptable. There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. Work on free throws or three pointers. There are always things that can be done.

TIP! Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in.

Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.

TIP! Quickness is something that’s desired in basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game.

During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. Your body will be able to move quicker and be more balanced when you have srong core muscles. Give your hips, buttocks, back and stomach a workout. As with boxing, you can increase footwork speed and dexterity by jumping rope.

TIP! When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. For example, you might tug your ear, dribble three times, or flex your wrists.

Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

TIP! To increase the efficiency of your layups, begin your takeoff on the foot opposite from the hand you’re shooting with. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. 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.

TIP! Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills.

The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. Defenders will start to move at you, so you need to get around them to grab the ball. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.

TIP! To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball.

Make sure your vision is good. This means more than just being able to see well enough to play, but “seeing” the court deeply. You want to be sure that your peripheral vision is at its best. Being aware of the entire court will help you to better anticipate who will move where.

TIP! To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you.

You need to take a charge anytime you can. Taking a charge allows you a chance to earn a defensive stop, take the ball for your team, and sets up one more foul against the opponent. This is a great way to take control of the court and intimidate the other team.

TIP! A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five.

You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball. Even youngsters can strengthen their arms and legs to improve game play. As the teenage years approach, weights can be used for even greater impact. Playing as an adult, it is important that you focus on your stamina for optimal performance.

TIP! You need to take charge when the opportunity presents itself. A charge can help you take the ball and perhaps set up a foul against the other team.

When you master a skill, you will beam with pride in your accomplishments. Learning to be the best basketball player possible would be even more exciting. Not only will you beginning more, but you’ll show your teammates how good you are.