TIP! Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. This is when you switch hands while dribbling.

Basketball is a great sport and it’s easy to learn about. You can get the basics in a couple minutes. But there’s still a lot to learn, and thee tips can help you get there.

TIP! Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. Although it’s important to have a physical presence underneath the basket, it’s more important that you get in a good place before your opponent can.

Perfect your free throw. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard. Put this technique into practice as often as you can. Hold the ball level with your head. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

TIP! If you get injured while playing basketball, do not try to play through the pain. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury.

When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet. Wherever you go, take your ball with you. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.

TIP! Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance.

Improving your balance means improving your shots. Falling when you make a shot is not the right way to shoot. They are not doing it right. Balance needs to be maintained to consistently make successful shots.

TIP! If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot.

If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. Trying to play while injured will just make your situation worse. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.

TIP! You need to be quick to be good at basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. Stay in the right position by pushing off of your opposite foot.

Work on passing in a direction you are not looking. This is a great way to fake out your opponents. If you do this fake the right way, then the receiver of the pass should have an advantage and a great look at the goal. It really can be a powerful technique.

TIP! You can make the 2-3 zone a lot more dangerous by having two defenders stay in this zone until a point guard is beyond the time line. They should then trap the point guard.

When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.

TIP! Shoot hundreds of shots every day from every position on the court to improve your shooting skills. To improve further, work on fast dribbling just before shooting.

Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. Taking charges gives you an opportunity to get defensive stops, get the ball and lay the groundwork for fouls. This is play that’s powerful.

TIP! If possible, keep the ball below your knees. Opponents will have a hard time stealing the ball from you if you keep it low.

Once you are in your defensive stance, remember to hold your ground. 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. Remember not to let yourself get crossed up with your feet, which will throw off your balance, making it easier to get around you.

TIP! To become a great player talk with your teammates and learn what they have planned. The sport of basketball is truly a team game.

When you are defending, keep your stance low. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier. Stay in your defensive stance all the time. If you find you have to abandon your stance to do some blocking, get back into formation as fast as you can.

TIP! Make sure you stay in a constant rhythm until it is time to make your move. By dribbling consistently and then breaking it up into a different rhythm that’s fast, you can trick an opponent so you have more time to shoot.

You can make the 2-3 zone a lot more dangerous by having two defenders stay in this zone until a point guard is beyond the time line. At that point, both guards should move in for the trap. While that is happening, your forwards should race out to the opposing wing players. The point guard will toss a pass that can easily be stolen by your forwards.

TIP! If someone is attempting a shot from one of the court’s corners, that shot (if missed) will probably bounce over to the opposite side of the net. Attempt to catch the resulting rebound by watching the angle from which it was shot.

In order to be a more effective player, one thing you have to do is talk to teammates about strategies. Each team has multiple players on it. This means that offense and defense doesn’t mean one on one. Everyone assists each other. Communicate with them so that they know when you need assistance, so that you all collectively play better.

Know where missed shots are most likely to end up. Attempt to catch the resulting rebound by watching the angle from which it was shot.

TIP! When shooting, try to keep your nerves under control. Stay focused on the hoop.

You need to learn how to change your opponent’s personal path. Whether you are playing offense or defense, gaining control over the path of your opponent is a critical skill. Doing so lets you control your path, not them.

TIP! It is important to know when to make the shot and when to pass the ball to another player. Instead of hogging the ball and losing the game when you fail to make the shot, be a team player and pass it off to the player who has the better chance to make the winning shot.

Try to stay calm as you shoot. Concentrate on the basket throughout your shot. Specifically, make it a habit to look right behind the basket when you take a shot. But if you want to do a layup, just pay attention to where you need to bounce the ball on the back board.

TIP! Always pay attention to where the ball goes once your teammate or your opponent sends it out of their hands. Rebounds and recoveries are important parts of a basketball game.

You might be a complete novice at basketball. Perhaps you were good at basketball already. Either way, the information located above can assist you in becoming a great ball player. Use this information the very next time you play.