TIP! Dribble properly. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Basketball is simple but it takes years to develop the savvy to dominate the game. Even the best players work on their weaknesses. It is especially tough when you consider that the game of basketball is constantly evolving. Would you like to have a competitive edge? Continue reading for the best basketball tips.

TIP! If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play.

Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. Always have a basketball handy. Dribble on your way to school. Paying attention to the ball means you’re not paying attention to the rest of the game.

TIP! If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important.

You must have good balance to shoot well. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

Core Muscles

TIP! A great way you can prepare for what happens on the basketball court is to avoid having your back to the ball. You will enjoy greater court awareness and avoid feeling surprised by rapid changes in game play.

Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. Strong core muscles help you with many movements associated with basketball.

TIP! Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass. You can avoid this by using hand signals if a player is able to take a pass. If you don’t receive a signal then realize your teammate is not able to get the pass.

TIP! Always be aware of your feet. If you have the ball and you step outside the baseline, then you’re out of bounds.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Similar to boxers, jump rope to help increase speed and better your footwork.

Free Throws

TIP! Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. A hard dribble returns the ball back to you faster, leaving less chance of it being snatched by the other team.

When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. As long as you make it quick, if you have a consistent routine, your body will remember how to make those free throws after you go through your ritual.

TIP! To help make the offense flow better it is a good idea to alter the pace. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body.

Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. This throws your opponents off. 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. When completed correctly, it creates an awesome play.

TIP! One way to increase your three-point skill is to practice at the NBA range. The standard line and college lines are much closer.

To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left. This way you keep your body away from defenders, your momentum going in the direction of the basket and your body stays balanced.

TIP! Until the moment you are prepared to shoot or pass, you must dribble constantly. If you stop dribbling, then you don’t really have that many options.

Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.

Peripheral Vision

TIP! If you’re determined to do good at basketball, then you have to watch your diet. To play with great frequency, you will need a large amount of carbs combined with a bit of fat and protein.

Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Having excellent peripheral vision is vital to do well in this game. If you scan the entire court instead of keeping your eye on the basketball, you will be aware of oncoming defensive pressure as well as the positions of your open teammates.

TIP! For example, a misfired shot launched from the corner of a basketball court usually hits the net, bounces off the site, and lands on the opposite side. Figure out where it will be and rebound the ball.

Accept a charge when you can. This play gets your team possession of the ball and a foul against your opponent. Perfecting this play can really give you an advantage on the court.

Strength Training

TIP! To succeed in basketball you should learn how to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are in an offensive or defensive stance, make other players do what you want.

Strength training can be a major help in basketball. In addition, stamina is important to the game, too. Even smaller children can use fitness routines to build stronger arms and legs. As they become adolescents, let them start using weights for added benefits. As an adult, a player must continue strength training for optimum performance.

TIP! If you are assigned to defend someone bigger than you are, try staying in the passing lane between your man and the current ball handler. This will stop them from being open for a pass, ensuring that they don’t get the ball as they would likely be able to shoot it right over you.

To trap someone in a 2-3 zone, get your guards to wait for the point guard to get about 10 feet past midcourt. Once he passes mid court the guards should rush up on him. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. Your forwards should easily be able to steal the pass that the point guard throws.

TIP! Follow the path of the ball once it has left the hands of your teammate or the opposing player. Rebounds and recoveries are important parts of a basketball game.

You should always bend your knees while dribbling. It makes it much easier to control the ball while dribbling as opposed to standing straight up, which makes controlling the ball much harder. A bit of a bend will boost your control.

TIP! Proper pivoting is essential in the game of basketball. Practice your footwork until you aren’t even aware of what you are doing.

It is important that you remain in control of the ball despite which way your body is going. This will help you learn to dribble during all different kinds of situations. There may be times when you are covered by multiple opponents; however, there may be times when you have the whole court in front of you. You must learn dribbling from all kinds of directions. Good dribbling skills will make getting out of a bad situation a lot easier.

TIP! Have a game plan you want to accomplish when beginning a workout routine. Lots of players hit the gym without a concrete plan.

Hopefully, you are more confident with your basketball skill after reading the above tips. They are all designed to assist you become a better player. Do not stop learning, and do not stop practicing. To become a better player, you must use the information you come across, so do so.