TIP! When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough.

There is no limit to the love that so many people feel for the sport of basketball. It combines skill, accuracy, excitement, and entertainment. Becoming a great player takes a lot of practice and determination. You will gain irreplaceable knowledge by reading this article so keep on reading.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups.

Always work on your layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, jumping and shooting in a smooth series of motions. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Ask your teammates what they like about the way you play. They will probably notice the things you do best.

Practice your bounce pass. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. But, there are some factors that can change this.

TIP! When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong.

Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Watch pro games on TV, or attend games in person. When you find a player who has the skills that you want, then watch them and emulate.

TIP! The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Make them uncomfortable.

You may have better luck honing your passing skills if you forgo dribbling during practice. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.

TIP! When you have the chance, take charge. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand.

You may get injured while practicing or playing. Don’t try to play if you are hurt. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. Visit a doctor if you think it’s serious.

TIP! If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. In addition, stamina is important to the game, too.

If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot. Your shoulders should be facing the hoop. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.

TIP! To trap the opposing players in a 2-3 zone, have the defending guards hold back till the opposing point guard has moved beyond the midcourt line by about ten feet. They can then trap the point guard.

Speed is everything in basketball. If you want the advantage, you’ve got more quickly. To increase your quickness, you must practice playing fast while running drills. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. If you play basketball past your own speed ability, then you can lose control of you game with bad passes and needless turnovers.

TIP! Try different shots from different places on the basketball court. First, practice your balance and grip.

A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal. Execute your moves with aggression. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. If you allow this, they will run over you. Instead, take the initiative and disrupt their rhythm.

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

If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. Stop dribbling when people guard you too closely.

TIP! You need to be able to alter your opponents path. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing defense of offense.

Be sure that your site is good. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Peripheral vision is important during game play. This will help you see the whole game better and anticipate openings and defense players.

Strength Training

TIP! When shooting, try to keep your nerves under control. The basket should be the your main focus.

You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Those who do very well at this sport have a combination of stamina and strength. Young children that play can even benefit from strengthening arms and legs through proper exercise. As they become adolescents, let them start using weights for added benefits. Strength training is essential once you reach the adult years.

TIP! If you are playing opposite a much larger player, just keep your body between the ball and them. That way, they will never be open to receive a pass, and they will not be able to make an easy shot over your head.

Stay low when playing defense. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly. Remain in a correct defensive pose always. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.

TIP! Focus on the ball and where it is going. Rebounding will help you win the game.

To turn a normal 2-3 zone into a trapping machine, have your top two defenders (your guards) wait until the point guard has come about ten feet past the time line (midcourt). They can then run toward the point guard to trap him. Your forwards should sprint to cover the other players on the outside. The point guard throws a pass that can be easily stolen by your forwards.

TIP! In order to be as good as you can be, you should be able to pivot while playing basketball. You must practice footwork so you can pivot without a thought and never become confused or entangled.

You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand. Soon enough you will see great improvements on the court.

TIP! When you practice dribbling, bounce the basketball as hard as you are able to. This will make it harder for any defender to pull off a steal from you.

With the right tips used when playing, the game will become more fun and simpler. Look at videos and blogs, and make sure you read more articles, so you can always keep learning. The more you learn, the better your game will be.