TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers.

It doesn’t matter if you plan to play basketball or just watch a game, you should have a basic understanding of how the game is played. Don’t know the score? Don’t worry, you’ll get there. Basketball is a game anyone can play, and with commitment, play well. Consider the following great tips to use for playing basketball.

TIP! Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. Your best talent may not make you the star of every game, but learning to play your best angle will help you contribute more to the team.

Crossovers are key for ball handlers. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand. That action has to be done fast to be successful. Once you have learned how to do a crossover, you can travel down the court quickly.

Successful Free

TIP! If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. You must train both your body and your mind. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.

TIP! If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop.

Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

TIP! Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.

TIP! You need to be quick to be good at basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast.

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. 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. A strong core helps the legs move better, like jumping higher and running faster.

TIP! To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot.

Build hand signals so passes are more successful. One of the more frustrating aspects of basketball is making a pass to a teammate at the same time they head to the basket. These common miscommunications can be avoided by utilizing hand signals, which tells the passing player the other player is ready for a pass. If they don’t signal, don’t pass to them.

TIP! When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team.

Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Once you’re in position, you also need to secure your spot. Strong footwork is key.

TIP! A consistent routine will help you to achieve great free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off.

If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. Basketball is very challenging physically, and this can cause further serious injury. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. See a physician if you think your injury is serious.

TIP! Improve your basketball skills by incorporating strength training into your fitness regimen. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player.

Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds. You will get called for walking if you take extra steps and are not dribbling. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! You can improve a weak hand by using it in daily life. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand.

Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. If you use both your hands to dribble, it is easier to control. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.

TIP! To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. High school lines, international standard lines, and college lines are much closer.

Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. Dribbling fast allows you to keep better control of the ball and there is a slimmer chance of it being stolen from you. When you are being guarded closely, pass the ball.

TIP! Do exercises that will assist you in becoming a better player. Sprint running can help improve on-court speed, while distance running is sure to boost your stamina.

Practice moving the ball from one courtside to the other in just 5 dribbles of the ball. This seems an impossible feat when you start. By working on this drill regularly you develop speed and great, lengthy strides. This drill can help you to have success with lay-ups during a fast break.

TIP! A missed corner shot will usually end up on the opposite side of the basketball court. Figure out where it will land to grab the rebound.

You want to keep your vision completely clear at all times. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. Having excellent peripheral vision is vital to do well in this game. Tunnel vision makes it difficult to play effectively, so try to view the entire court and all players.

Strength Training

TIP! When you know an opponent’s weak side, try to get them working mostly from that side. Make them use the hand that their weaker with by cutting off the path on their strong side.

In order to improve your game, make sure you do plenty of strength training. It’s important to have stamina and strength when playing basketball. Even little kids who play basketball will develop more overall body strength. Adding weights in stronger increments is effective as the child becomes a teenager. Once they transition into adulthood, strength training must continue to be a core part of their exercise routine.

TIP! Learning to pivot is important when playing basketball. Work on your footwork to be able to move smoothly.

Here is how you can change a normal two-three zone to become a trapping machine. You will need for the top two guards to wait until the time when the point guard is approximately 10 feet beyond the midcourt. Then they need to get to the guard on point to trap him. While that is happening, your forwards should race out to the opposing wing players. By doing this, you increase the chances for your big men to steal the pass from the point guard.

TIP! When you are dribbling, practice bouncing the basketball as hard as you can. The harder you dribble the ball, the faster it is moving.

Don’t cease dribbling until you get ready to shoot or pass. If you stop dribbling, then you don’t really have that many options. Aside from using your back foot to pivot, you have very little freedom. This leaves an opening for your opponents to double team and try get the ball away from you.

TIP! For an effective workout, put your goals down on paper. Often players workout with no plan in place.

Your diet plays a major role in your health and success on the basketball court. In order to be skilled at basketball you need to load up on carbs to give yourself plenty of energy. Smart thigns to include in your diet are peanut butter, wheat breads, chicken and nuts. Try to reduce your salt and sugar intake, though.

TIP! Dribbling is both physically and mentally challenging. You must be in control of the way the basketball spins, the force with which it reaches the ground, and where it lands.

See, it really isn’t that complicated. After taking in the above article you should be aware of the incredible amount of joy it brings to people. Use what you’ve just learned to enhance your game or to be a better fan.