TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set.

If you want to excel in basketball, you know that you need to be dedicated and practice a lot. When you play for amusement, you still want to win! The following tips will help you improve your game.

TIP! You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Get tickets to some pro games, if possible, or catch some games on television.

Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. When dribbling the basketball, use your fingertips rather than the palm of your hand. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Do not look at the ground; look up at all times.

TIP! Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent.

If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.

TIP! 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. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes.

If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

TIP! Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. This is the most popular shot in basketball. When practicing this technique, run toward the goal and shoot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.

TIP! If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game.

A good way to improve team passing to use a no dribbling drill, that is to play the game without dribbling at all. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. This may be hard and frustrating at first, but as you get the hang of it your entire team will begin to excel at passing.

Core Muscles

TIP! To improve ball handling, consider focusing workouts on your forearms and hands. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, ensure they’re training core muscles in the right way. The core muscles include the lower back, hips and abdonimals. The core is what holds the body in balance and allows the limbs to work well. A strong, sturdy core allows force from the legs to fuel movements like running and jumping.

TIP! Do not release your defensive stance. You can shuffle your feet to either side, or push with your opposing foot, so you will be ready and in position.

What do your teammates admire about your skills? Do you have an area where you excel? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. Find out what others think your natural abilities are, and be certain to keep developing those skills.

TIP! If you want to make a 2-3 zone into something special, have the guards remain put until the opposing team’s guard makes their way about ten feet in from mid-court. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him.

When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Your shoulders should always be square towards the basket. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.

TIP! Exercise off the court. Running sprints helps you get faster for individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina.

A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. Developing speed and vision is vital to playing the game well. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play faster. Though, you should never attempt to a play faster game than your abilities permit. It’s easy to lose control when you play fast.

TIP! Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. Basketball is one of those games that goes to another level when a team gels completely.

Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Be honest in your assessment but not overly critical. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

TIP! When you come back down to earth from a rebound, try to land so that your legs are spread out wider than your shoulders to give your balance a boost. Put one hand on each side of the basketball, and hold it against your chest.

Work on passing through your legs to add another skill to your arsenal. To practice this skill, bounce the ball between your legs so that it passes through as you step back and forth. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! Having good positioning on the court when trying to grab a rebound will help you keep the ball. Use both feet to jump for the ball, then hold on with both of your hands.

Now, you need to use this advice as part of your basketball strategy. You will start to see improvement little by little as you remember what you’ve read, use the tips, and practice them. Use the three steps as detailed and you will be on the road to success.