TIP! You need good balance when you shoot. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders.

Lots of people love basketball because it is fun to play and watch. That said, it isn’t easy to master. Even though some people appear to be more predisposed to athletic greatness than others, anyone can enjoy the sport and work to improve their own game. Read on so you are able to get some information that can help you improve your game, or understand it a bit better.

TIP! Play by yourself to practice. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

Make sure to dribble properly. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble off to the side waist high. Don’t look down, always look up.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. This gives you better control of the ball.

A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.

TIP! You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents.

You can learn how to pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Try not to lose yourself in frustration if you do not master it immediately, with the more time that passes with you and your team practicing, the more accurate they will become.

TIP! It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds.

Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Muscle strength is beneficial for playing any basketball position, but there is such a thing as too much. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.

TIP! Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. There is nothing wrong with that. There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. Work on free throws and pivot moves. There are many things you can work on.

TIP! If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

If you find yourself unable to shoot well, consider your shoulders. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you will be unable to make the shot. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.

TIP! A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Force them to leave their comfort zone.

To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.

TIP! In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. Defenders will start to move at you, so you need to get around them to grab the ball.

Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! Make it your goal to dribble the ball across the entire court in under 5 dribbles. This might not seem possible, but if you can do it your speed and length will strengthen.

A good way to develop ball handling skills is to make your forearms and hands stronger. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. You will not be able to stand in one place and shoot. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.

TIP! Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” This isn’t just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots.

In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim. This helps you avoid the foul call and also grab the rebound.

Strength Training

TIP! You can improve a weak hand by using it in daily life. You will have more control as you use it to do daily activities that require dexterity.

Strength training can improve your game. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player. Even young kids can improve if they exercise the right way and strengthen their core. As the teenage years approach, weights can be used for even greater impact. Strength training is essential once you reach the adult years.

TIP! To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. The line in every other league is closer.

To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. Try becoming ambidextrous outside of the court, and you will soon find that you do not have a weaker hand when playing basketball. As a result, your basketball game will significantly improve.

TIP! Practice dribbling while you switch your body’s momentum from one side to the other. When you’re playing a game, you have to dribble when you’re in a lot of different situations.

If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Hone in on your target while you are jumping, but not before you leave the ground. This helps to simulate game conditions and improving your accuracy.

TIP! Keep the activity below the knees if possible. This prevents your opponents from stealing the ball.

Do you want to impress your friends with your basketball skills? You might want to spend some time practicing first! Start being excited and then get motivated to start playing basketball today! You should soon see improvements to your skills all thanks to using these tips.