TIP! Look forward when dribbling. You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling.

People of all ages and every walk of life around the world have loved basketball for a very long time. Loving it an playing it are two separate things, however. You must have certain skills to do the latter. These tips can help anybody improve their basketball skills, no matter what their age.

TIP! Free throws are as mental as physical. Your body can be trained to make free throws, but your mind has to be focused on success if you want to make the basket.

Practice your pass catching often. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

TIP! To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. This can help you to remain in control of the ball at all times.

One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills. Don’t get upset if it seems hard, this will improve your team’s passes over time.

TIP! During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. This will involve their lower back, hips, and abs. The core connects the lower extremities to the upper extremities. Without a strong core, your performance may be limited. A strong and solid core allows force that is generated via the legs to be used for helpful movements during the game like higher jumps and faster running.

TIP! Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it.

Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. What are your your best skill areas? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

TIP! Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. This is a simple thing that could easily confuse your opponents.

One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. You will enjoy greater court awareness and avoid feeling surprised by rapid changes in game play. Pay attention to open areas for passes, too.

TIP! You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. An exercise to help develop your basketball skills is to perform wrist curls.

Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

TIP! 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.

To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. By developing a quick ritual, you can help train your body to make free throws.

TIP! Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. Sprint towards the hoop then quickly plant your foot, then straighten up.

When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. This helps to maintain balance throughout your body and allows you to use yourself as a barrier between the defender and yourself.

TIP! Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. If you are able to become more dexterous in terms of your weaker hand in general life, you’re going to have better control of it.

Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Force them into an uncomfortable zone. Use aggression with your moves. Do not let them call the shots. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. It’s important, then, to be aggressive and mess up their game rhythms.

TIP! Work on your 3 point shot by shooting from the established NBA distance. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that.

Basketball has been very appealing to most people. The key to basketball, whether watching or playing, is knowledge. Refer to the information presented here to enhance your game in an ongoing manner.