TIP! You should often work on your layups. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

It is clear from fans around the world that the game of basketball brings happiness to so many people around the world. Actually, most people could learn a thing or two about the game of basketball. Keep reading to get some wonderful assistance concerning the sport of basketball.

TIP! Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level.

If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. The action needs to be performed quickly in order to be successful. Once you have learned how to do a crossover, you can travel down the court quickly.

TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot.

To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.

Bounce Pass

TIP! To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. Of course, there are factors that should be taken into consideration when passing using the bouncing technique.

TIP! To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. This gives you better control of the ball.

A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Go to actual games or watch on TV. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

TIP! One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail.

Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.

TIP! To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand.

Would you like to learn how to fool your opponent? Consider the back pass. Use the dominant hand to hold onto the basketball when trying this pass. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

TIP! To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Force them to leave their comfort zone.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with. Don’t fret! There’s still a lot that you can do playing on your own. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. You can always find things to work on.

Core Muscles

TIP! Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. You will always be in a defensive position if you slide your feet one way and then the other and push off using your opposing foot.

One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.

TIP! You have to practice hard every day if you desire to step up your outside shooting game. To improve further, work on fast dribbling just before shooting.

To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This keeps it under control. Try to keep your palm off of the ball as well. Fingers should be the only point of contact as you pass or shoot the ball at its target.

TIP! Keep dribbling until you’re ready to either pass or shoot. If you stop, you limit your options.

When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.

TIP! If possible, the action should remain below your knees. Defenders will have a more difficult time stealing the ball.

Speed is everything in basketball. Developing speed and vision is vital to playing the game well. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. Playing beyond your speed can result in bad passes and excessive turnovers.

TIP! Be sure you do the sort of off-court exercises that help you during games. Work on sprints to make you faster and build your stamina.

It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. Going too many steps with no dribbling is a waking call and turnover situation. In addition, a foul can be called against you if you move either foot while setting a screen, a pick or taking a charge.

TIP! If you know that the person with the ball is weak with one hand, force them to use it. For example, take a step to your right to force a right-handed player to step out of his or her comfort zone.

Practice passing while looking in other directions. This is a great technique in order to help confuse the opponents. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. It’s a powerful play when done right.

TIP! Control your nerves. It’s important that the basket is your main focus.

Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. Your peripheral vision should be the best it can be. If you look across the whole game and not just focus on the ball, you can see oncoming defensive pressure in advance, as well as open teammates.

TIP! When guarding a person that is stronger or taller, be sure you stay in between that person and the player with the ball. This will limit their ability to pass the ball.

Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. Sprint towards the hoop then quickly plant your foot, then straighten up. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. Use this opportunity to sprint past your opponent.

TIP! When you are facing a zone defense, you must use a penetrating dribble. If you or another player can find a crease in the zone, the other team will have to swarm to the ball.

Until the moment you are prepared to shoot or pass, you must dribble constantly. When you stop dribbling the ball, you only have a limited amount of plays you can perform. Aside from using your back foot to pivot, you have very little freedom. That will allow your opponents to double team you and potentially steal the ball.

TIP! Make sure to communicate with all of your teammates. Communication starts in practice.

Basketball provides tremendous potential both as a physical activity and as a spectator sport. But, if you really want to make the most of the game, then it helps to know something about the game. This article has hopefully given you the tips you needed.