TIP! When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet.

Basketball season is an exciting time of year for fans. In order to keep fans happy, give them a reason to cheer. Every person of the team must contribute to the game. Use these tips to help you improve your skills and win the game.

TIP! If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members.

Make sure to dribble properly. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! Need to dupe the opposition? The back pass is perfect for this. Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand.

You should practice your crossovers a lot. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. That action has to be done fast to be successful. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

TIP! When avoiding errant passes, use hand signals. It’s frustrating to pass to your teammate at the very moment they’re heading toward the basket.

Balance is vital to good shooting. You have seen some crazy shots made by professionals, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals. This kind of improvisation is the result of years of practice and loads of ability. When you shoot, you should always be properly balanced, which will help you make more baskets more consistently.

TIP! In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important.

Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball. It’s critical to practice running towards the basket at full speed and following up with a good jump and smooth shot. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

TIP! Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials.

Free throws are mental as well as physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Be relaxed and concentrate on the basket and you will help you make more free throws.

TIP! When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance.

Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. You can do this by watching games in person and on television. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better.

Would you like to fool the opposing team? Make use of the back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

TIP! To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. That is not a problem. You’ll still be able to get a lot done when playing solo. You can work on pivots and free throws. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. Much like boxers do, you have the ability to bolster your footwork and agility by using a jump rope.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. They should then trap the point guard.

One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast. If you want to play the game fast, you need to drill continuously. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. Playing beyond your capabilities will lead to bad passes and lots of turnovers.

TIP! Keep your knees bent while dribbling. The farther the ball has to bounce, the less control you will have of it.

Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? It is important that your assessment is an honest one, but isn’t overly critical. Seeing yourself realistically can be a great way to make changes in a positive direction.

TIP! You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. Avoid physical contact like pushing, but keep the ball from them by separating them from it.

Dribble with force to prevent the ball from being stolen. The harder you dribble, the faster the ball will return to the cup of you hand. If you have somebody guarding you very closely, pass the ball to an open teammate.

TIP! Switching up your dribbling rhythm can really throw the defense off. A consistent dribbling broken up by a fast paced dribble can surprise your opponent and give you a major edge for a shot.

You can practice these ideas to make the most of your basketball game. When each individual plays well, the team has a better chance at success. From the players to the spectators, everyone has a part in a game. Players have to work hard to better their game. Just keep these concepts close at hand, and you can be transformed into a truly valuable player.