TIP! Keep your head up when you dribble. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball.

Do you find yourself fantasizing that you are one of the best players of all time? Instead of just aspiring to be a great, why not continue to learn more techniques and strategies that can help you out. This article will give you some helpful tips to improve your game.

TIP! If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover.

Make sure to dribble properly. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. This provides you with much more ball control. Avoid dribbling in front of you and only dribble to the sides of your body. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.

TIP! Free throws have a huge mental element to them. You must train both your body and your mind.

When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. Bring the basketball with you everywhere you go. Practice in your home and wherever you walk. Paying attention to the ball means you’re not paying attention to the rest of the game.

TIP! Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. When you practice, run full speed ahead at the basket, jump, and shoot. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.

Core Muscles

TIP! One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent.

Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. The core links the upper and lower extremities and without a strong one, their athletic performance will be limited. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.

TIP! Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it.

In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. When you are in position, you must secure your spot. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

TIP! Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies.

Ask your teammates what they like about the way you play. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. Maybe you are nimble or you are reliably there to support them. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.

TIP! If you’re quick on the basketball court, you have a built in advantage. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage.

To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. Following the same routine gives your body will maintain muscle memory for more consistent free throw shooting.

TIP! Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. If you step on the baseline, you will be out of bounds.

Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. If you manage to master this, you will have a tremendous advantage during games.

TIP! A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure.

To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.

Free Throw

TIP! To rebound a free throw, you have to be quick. The defender that’s below you will move towards you, so try to slip by them to obtain the ball.

In order to become a better free throw shooter you need to have a good practice routine. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. Practicing your free throw again and again is the only way to perfect it. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.

TIP! Be certain you are able to see well. This will enable you to make good shots as well as catching passes that come your way.

The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them. Then you gain the ball without the foul.

Defensive Position

TIP! The only way to gain skill in outside shooting is to make over 100 practice shots every day from various spots on the court. To improve even more, practice dribbling the basketball and then pull up fast for a quick shot.

Don’t break out of defensive stance always remain in the proper defensive position. 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. Don’t forget not to cross your feet, and you won’t be easy to get around.

TIP! Try using your non-dribbling hand like a barrier between the ball and your opponent. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in.

Strength and flexibility training can help your skills in basketball. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player. Even younger kids will benefit from strength training. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. When they become adults, strength training is critical to maintaining solid court performance.

TIP! Stay in communication with your teammates. Each team has multiple players on it.

If you want to build the dexterity of your weaker hand, start using it for everyday tasks like shining your shoes or opening doors. Being more dexterous means you will have better control. Keeping your opponents on their toes is an important part of basketball.

TIP! A missed shot from the corner often results in the ball landing on the opposite side of the net. If that happens, you need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.

Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. The line in every other league is closer. You are less likely to be guarded, the farther you are from the basket.

TIP! Pivoting is key to being a great basketball player. Having excellent footwork through repetition in practice allows you to develop a nice pivot that becomes second nature in a game.

The only way to gain skill in outside shooting is to make over 100 practice shots every day from various spots on the court. To get even better, try to practice dribbling and quickly shooting. While in the air check out your target, but never before that. You will increase your level of accuracy and create an experience closer to real game play.

TIP! Recognize the bad aspects of your game. Honestly assess your skills.

After going through this article you should be able to practice a number of things. Practice hard and with consistency. Over time, the work you put in will translate to confidence on the court. Keep this excellent advice in mind as you show off your new skills on the court.