TIP! Make sure to dribble properly. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms.

Your first game of basketball was likely an amazing, exciting new experience. You explored passing, shooting, and dribbling. These days, you may feel a lot like you’ve learned all that you need to know. The tips below can show you that there’s much more to learn.

TIP! Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. This is when you switch hands while dribbling.

Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.

Bounce Pass

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws.

Perfect your bounce pass. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. One thing you should do is always remember the ball should be bounced three quarters on its way towards the person you’re passing too. At the same time, take into account any other extraneous factors that may affect the pass.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles.

Practice the skill of pass catching. When you practice, be sure to do drills that improve catching wild throws and making great passes. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. Therefore, it pays to practice catching passes that are a bit off-target.

TIP! When you work out, try focusing on building core strength and bettering your footwork. Your body will retain balance and move quicker when you have strong core muscles.

A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.

TIP! If you experience a slump in your scoring and shooting, your shoulders may be the cause of the problem. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are.

Don’t play when you are injured! Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.

TIP! Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling.

If your shooting is in a slump, take a look at your shoulders. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

Free Throw

TIP! Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice.

High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.

TIP! Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting.

Passing between your legs can be helpful when the other team is riding you hard. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward. Mastering this movement gives you a big advantage on the court.

TIP! Don’t leave your defensive stance. 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.

If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. If you want to perfect free throw shooting, pick a routine and repeat it continuously. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.

TIP! To make your three-point shot better, practice it from the minimum NBA approved distance. That is the furthest distance that you would ever have to shoot from to score a three.

Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. Soon, you will be able dribble with your weaker hand as well as you can with your dominant hand.

TIP! The easiest way to do well at basketball is to speak with the team to see what everyone is up to. You are sure to understand that it takes teamwork to play basketball.

Changing pace can help you keep the offense guessing. Try to block the net by planting your foot hard. Your defender is going to assume that you’re slowing your speed and will start straightening up, too. Once that happens, switch tactics and move forward. You should go right past them.

TIP! Practice all kinds of shots from every court location. Start by practicing grip and balance.

Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. Standing straight will make you see that it’s harder to handle and easier for the opposing players to take. To help out your ball control, try bending the knees.

TIP! If you want to be an excellent basketball player, you have to learn to pivot. It is important to practice how you move your feet, so you can pivot by instinct, without stopping to think about where to put your feet.

To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. The established International standard line is closer, as are the high school and college lines. By learning to shoot from NBA distances, you improve your range tremendously.

TIP! A good defensive technique against your opponent is to constantly force them towards the sideline. Letting them keep working down to the middle gives them many options.

If you can take this advice to heart, you can win on the court. Set your personal goals and practice to boost your skills. Fitting these techniques into your game strategy is going to significantly improve your game.