TIP! Practice shooting free throws. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear.

As far as basketball goes, the best players don’t even know everything about the sport. The game changes constantly, so you have to learn the nuances of the modern game. Do you want to be a good player? Continue reading so that you can learn new things that may give you an edge.

TIP! When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands.

If you get possession of the ball a lot, you must learn the crossover technique. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. You have to do this quickly to be good at it. When executed properly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.

TIP! Even professional basketball players spend a lot of time watching other people play basketball. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games.

Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. Keep your balance so you can consistently win points.

TIP! Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? What areas are your strong points? Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop your skills to become an all around better player. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Try doing a back pass! Hold the basketball with your writing hand. Then, bring the ball back behind you. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.

TIP! Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. This is perfectly acceptable. There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. You can always practice something.

Core Muscles

TIP! You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. If you can dribble equally well with each hand, it is simpler to get past your opponents.

If your kid is going to try out for the basketball team, they should be properly training their core muscles. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. A solid and strong core lets force that comes from the legs get used for beneficial movements when playing, like faster running and higher jumping.

TIP! Use a 2-3 zone as a way to trap opponents. You can do this by having guards wait for the point guard to come at least 10 feet past midcourt.

Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. It can be frustrating to attempt to pass the ball to a team mate as that person is heading toward the basket. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

TIP! Don’t stop dribbling until you are ready to pass or shoot. Standing there without dribbling takes away most of your options on offense.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This gives you better balance, while keeping you poised toward the basket.

TIP! If possible, the action should remain below your knees. This prevents your opponents from stealing the ball.

After reading the above tips, you should feel confident in your skills on the court. You need all the information you can get to get and stay on top. Just keep learning and practicing to stay at the top of your game. Keep these tips in mind to become a better player.