TIP! Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling.

What should you learn about basketball? What sorts of skills must you learn to enhance both your performance and your enjoyment of the game? This article provides you with a great base of knowledge about playing basketball, so reading it should bring you amazing benefits when you next hit the court.

TIP! Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. While you are practicing, you should be sure to drill yourself on catching errant throws, as well as catching those perfect passes.

Practice your layup shot often. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups. When you practice, run full speed ahead at the basket, jump, and shoot. Like everything, practicing at game speed will only improve your skill and have you ready to play at the fastest pace.

Bounce Pass

TIP! If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better.

A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. It does depend on a variety of other factors, however.

TIP! If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. This sport is physically demanding and you can become injured.

You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. You can count on quite a bit of the game being played in zone; however, you should not be surprised if it becomes one-on-one coverage just for the sake of confusion. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you could run afoul of the scoreboard very fast.

TIP! Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Do you have an area where you excel? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet.

Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. The core links the upper and lower extremities and without a strong one, their athletic performance will be limited. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.

TIP! Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports.

Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. You will not be able to control your moves if you play faster than you are able to.

TIP! Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. Out of bounds will happen with even one toe over the baseline of the lined play area on the court.

Where are your feet? If you step on the baseline, you will be out of bounds. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Honestly and openly assess your own performance.

If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. Your shot could be off if you are inconsistent. In order to make your free throw perfect, you’ll need to practice the shot many times and get into a routine. If you alter your routine then chances are the shot will not be good.

Defensive Stance

TIP! You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal.

Do not release your defensive stance. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.

TIP! Keep changing up your pace to help keep your opponents on their toes. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body.

Changing your pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body. Your guard will do the same, thinking you plan to stop. When they do this, push yourself forward and take the chance to run by them.

TIP! You should practice your dribbling while switching your balance from right to left. This will help you learn to dribble during all different kinds of situations.

Remain low when playing defense. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier. Make sure you always maintain your defensive stance. When you block a shot, go back to a defensive form quickly.

TIP! Do exercises that will assist you in becoming a better player. Running for short quick bursts at a time will help you become quicker, and running long distance can help with stamina.

If you want a 2-3 zone to be turned into a machine that traps, your two defenders that are guarding should wait until your point guard is around ten feet past mid court. They should then trap the point guard. 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! To keep your opponent on their toes, keep your dribbling steady and regular, then surprise them. Changing your pace quickly can take the other player by surprise and give you an advantage.

To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. These tasks help to make your weaker hand feel more natural when you use it on the court. This will make you a force to be reckoned with on the court.

TIP! Practice all types of shots while in different distances and angles. Work on your grip and balance first.

When dibbling the ball, bend your knees. It makes it much easier to control the ball while dribbling as opposed to standing straight up, which makes controlling the ball much harder. A bit of a bend will boost your control.

TIP! If someone shoots from the corner of the basketball court and misses, it will bounce over the net onto the opposite side. This knowledge will help you get more rebounds.

Keep on dribbling until your shot or passing opportunity is imminent. When you stop dribbling the ball, you only have a limited amount of plays you can perform. If you don’t shoot or pass, you are going to be pivoting with your back foot. That will allow your opponents to double team you and potentially steal the ball.

TIP! Make strong team environments off and on the court. Basketball is a great game that can be elevated when the team is of one mind.

These tips should help you become a better player. Do you feel like you are prepared for a game of basketball? Are you set to up your basketball skills? Practice all you can and work hard towards your goals.