TIP! Make sure to dribble properly. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling.

Do you wish that you knew more about basketball? Everyone who loves basketball wants to excel at it. But you still lack a bit of knowledge. There’s an excellent chance that you’ll acquire a few skills here. Read on to learn more about what you can do to become a better player and a more useful part of your team.

TIP! Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate.

Learn proper dribbling. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. Always look upwards, never at the ground.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Even professional basketball players spend a lot of time watching other people play basketball. It is important that you see how other people play the game.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. Many other factors will affect it, too.

TIP! Don’t just practice playing against a zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage.

Don’t just practice playing against a zone defense. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you. If your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.

TIP! You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately. Even though this is not an easy drill, you will be rewarded for your efforts during game time.

TIP! Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better.

Would you like to learn how to fool your opponent? Try using a back pass! Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. The next step is to draw the ball behind you. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to move. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

TIP! Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot.

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. 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. There is nothing wrong with that. You’ll still be able to get a lot done when playing solo. Go to the free throw line and work on your shots. There is always something to practice.

TIP! You want to always be aware of foot placement and what you’re doing. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds.

Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.

TIP! Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Don’t get yourself down about your performance, but stay honest with yourself concerning where your game needs some work.

Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one. You can focus on the strength of your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Before you know it, your weak hand will become strong.

TIP! Develop a routine to use every time you shoot a free throw. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time.

Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. If you master this, you will be able to quickly take layups.

TIP! Work on getting the ball down the length of a full court with five or fewer dribbles during drills. This can seem impossible, but if you do it, you’ll get incredible speed and length.

Take every charge 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 can have a major impact on the other team psychologically, and it can be a powerful play as well.

Strength Training

TIP! Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. College, as well as high school three-point lines are set at a shorter distance.

You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball. Even smaller children can use fitness routines to build stronger arms and legs. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. As an adult, a player must continue strength training for optimum performance.

TIP! Don’t cease dribbling until you get ready to shoot or pass. You are limited once you cease dribbling.

Keeping in mind these helpful tips, you should be re-energized to play a game. Learning to do something new and excelling at it is one of the best feelings you can have. Once you have gained new skills and improved old ones with these tips, you can amaze your spectators. This engaging sport is great for people of any age.

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