TIP! If you get possession of the ball a lot, you must learn the crossover technique. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

What is there to learn when it comes to basketball? What do you need to do to improve your skills and play better? These tips will help you become better in no time the next time you’re on the court.

TIP! Practice your layups a lot. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game.

It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. Offense is often what gets the glory, but most winning basketball teams play great defense.

TIP! Learn how a bounce pass is thrown. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist.

Learn proper dribbling. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble off to the side waist high. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.

TIP! A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Watch as many games on TV as you can.

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Take a deep breathe, relax and block out all outside distractions before taking the shot.

TIP! You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works.

Frequently train yourself on your pass catching moves. When you practice, drill yourself to pay attention to errant throws and passes that are picture perfect. When the pressure is on, not every pass will come straight to you. You’ll be helping out your team a great deal if you can catch their not so perfect passes.

TIP! If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. That means their hips, lower back and abs.

Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.

TIP! Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass.

If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. 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. That should not matter. You can still practice when playing alone. Practice free throws and layups. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. When looking at the tape, don’t be too critical, but be honest. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.

Free Throw

TIP! In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance.

High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. For example, you might tug your ear, dribble three times, or flex your wrists. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.

TIP! You want to strive in practice to bring the ball all the way up the court in no more than five dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Get them outside their comfort zone. Be aggressive as you execute your moves. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. If you allow this, they will run over you. Rather, you make the initial move and break up their flow.

TIP! Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes.

Do you now know the answers to your questions? Are you prepared to get on the court and start playing? With hard work and persistence, you can develop your skills to be a good overall player on the court. Practice a variety of skills every day to improve your overall game.