TIP! Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball.

People love to play and compete in the popular game of basketball, which has attracted many since its inception decades ago. If you wish to be better, you must practice. Reading this entire article can help you obtain the basketball knowledge that you need, so keep reading.

TIP! Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is essential to winning these games. Offense gets attention and praise, but when you lack good defense, any team can lose.

TIP! Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Don’t look down, always look up.

Practice Catching

TIP! A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. You and your team mates will be happier if you (and they) are more versatile.

TIP! In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off.

Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Try a back pass. Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. Doing this will trick your opponent.

TIP! To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player.

Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. No problem. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent’s play. Force them away from their comfort zone.

If you have a child that is strength training for basketball, their core muscles should be properly developed. That means their hips, lower back and abs. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.

TIP! The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball.

Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds. Also, you can cause a turnover if you walk without dribbling the ball. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players.

TIP! Once you are in your defensive stance, remember to hold your ground. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This keeps your body balanced and moving toward the basket and keeps your body between yourself and your defender.

TIP! Keep low when you play defense. This allows you to jump or react quicker.

To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance. Tie the main hand you use behind your back so that you have to use the weak hand. You will get new dribbling skills with your weak hand.

TIP! You can improve your shooting skills by practicing with shots from different spots on the court. Try dribbling a little and pull up for your shot.

A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. This will help you accomplish great layups on those fast breaks.

TIP! Be sure your exercise off the court is going to help you on the court. Distance running will help with stamina and sprinting can help with individual plays.

Take charges whenever you have the opportunity. Taking charges gives you a chance for earning a defensive stop, gives your team the ball, and gives one more foul called in your favor. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.

TIP! Maintain a rhythm to the dribble until you are ready to surprise the opponent. Consistent dribbling disrupted by a sudden, fast pace will surprise your opponent, giving you the advantage.

Stay low when playing defense. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler. Make sure you always maintain your defensive stance. If you need to block the opposing team’s shot, resume your stance as soon as you can.

TIP! If you are a basketball player you should be eating a healthy diet. If you play all the time, you need to eat carbs on a regular basis.

To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. If you can become more dexterous with it in all aspects of your life, you will be bettering your control of it. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.

TIP! When coming down from a rebound catch, try to land and spread your legs wider than your shoulder span to better your balance. Have your hands on both sides of the ball.

Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. All the other lines are closer. If you can score from NBA range, you’ll enjoy open looks at deeper range than your opposition.

TIP! When you shoot, do what you can to temper your nerves. Keep your eyes on the rim and don’t lose focus.

Your diet plays a major role in your health and success on the basketball court. In order to be ready for practice and games, it is vital that you have the proper energy stored in your body. The best additions are whole wheats, grains, poultry and nuts. Stay away from salt and sugar.

TIP! If you want to be a great player, you need to pivot. You must practice your footwork until pivoting correctly is second nature.

By learning important tips and taking them to the practice court, eventually you will see how much better you get at this game. Find other article and blogs to read to continue learning. Take in all the good ideas that you can find, and make your game better.