TIP! The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing.

Basketball season is always an obsession for the fans of the game, and the players themselves. If a basketball team wants to have happy fans, the team members must play well. You’re a contributor as a teammate, so be sure you practice; go hard! Use these tips to help you improve your skills and win the game.

TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate.

When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. Many times, defense actually wins the game. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

TIP! Keep your weight lifting to a minimum as a jump shooter. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members.

Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. While some NBA players are able to launch a ball to the net mid-fall, this is not appropriate for most people. These players are using creative improvisation. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. Try doing what is known as a back pass.

Do not practice solely against zone defense. You can count on quite a bit of the game being played in zone; however, you should not be surprised if it becomes one-on-one coverage just for the sake of confusion. If your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.

TIP! Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. What areas are your strong points? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up.

A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills. Do not get frustrated if it it seems difficult at first, over time your team’s passes will become more accurate.

TIP! If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. That makes it less likely that you lose control of the ball.

If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Strong muscles are certainly useful for basketball, but you can overdo it if you plan to play on the perimeter. You will notice that most basketball players have well-defined muscles that are not overdeveloped.

Core Muscles

TIP! Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed.

If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. Strong core muscles help you with many movements associated with basketball.

TIP! Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off.

Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.

TIP! To nab a rebound from a free throw attempt of a teammate, footwork is key. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them.

Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Can they tell you what you’re really good at? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet. Develop your strengths even further and look for ways to improve your weaknesses.

TIP! Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster.

Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way. Always scout the court for areas that will open up and allow you to make a clear shot.

TIP! You want to keep your vision completely clear at all times. You don’t need great vision just to keep score.

Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. Keep your shoulders square to the hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.

TIP! Maintain a lower position as you play defense. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier.

Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. If you walk without dribbling, you will be called for walking and this will result in a turnover. You may get a foul call if you move your foot while you are attempting to take a charge, pick a charge or set a screen.

TIP! Keep your dribbling consistent until the time you want to confuse your opponent. You can for instance suddenly speed up your dribbling to get past an opponent and get the edge you need for a shot.

As you can tell from above, there are many ways to increase your skills. Knowing all you can helps you enjoy the game. From the players of a team to the fans in the crowd, everyone involved in a game plays a major role in it. In basketball, it’s important to play as a team. Remember these tips to become a dependable player who is welcome on any team.