TIP! Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing.

Do you remember the first time you played basketball? At that time, you were just learning passing, dribbling and shooting. Now, you might even feel as though you have mastered the sport. The following advice will prove there are things you did not know.

TIP! If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team.

Learn to correctly dribble the ball. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. This will give you better control of the basketball. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist.

Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This is when you switch hands while dribbling. It should be done quickly. If done correctly, a good crossover helps you get past your opponent and to the rim.

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws.

Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Relax as you focus on making the shot, and soon you’ll be making more free throws.

TIP! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes.

Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. One thing that can frustrate you when playing basketball is to try and pass while a player is trying to run to the basket. Hand signals can be a great way to find out if a teammate will be able to receive your pass. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.

TIP! You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent.

Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important. If you are just stepping into position, you now have to secure the spot. The key to this relies on having good footwork.

TIP! When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon.

Don’t play while injured or else your injury will worsen. Basketball is physically demanding, and injuries are relatively common. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.

TIP! Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. Are you great at any one thing? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up.

Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling. Don’t just think you’re able to stand around, catch the ball and then shoot it. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.

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 will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials.

Make sure your vision is good. You don’t need great vision just to keep score. Try making your peripheral vision the best it can be. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.

TIP! Build a consistent routine for your free throws. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off.

Mix things up offensively to keep the other team’s defense off-balance. When you approach the goal, put your front foot in firm place and start straightening up. The offense will believe that you’re stopping or slowing down and may follow in your steps. When they do, try pushing forward hard and running right past them.

TIP! In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Make them feel uncomfortable and to where they’re second guessing their next move.

Understanding your teammates is a vital part of basketball. It is a sport that requires team work. Playing with the same teammates often helps you understand what they are thinking. Everyone assists each other. Communicate with your team and you will have more success.

TIP! When you have the chance, take charge. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you.

Practice rhythmic dribbling up until the point you wish to shake an opposing player. Consistent dribbling disrupted by a sudden, fast pace will surprise your opponent, giving you the advantage. Perfecting this can make you nearly unstoppable on the court.

TIP! Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body.

Be sure to practice shooting from a variety of spots on the court. Work on your grip and balance first. Off-balance shooting is possible but much less accurate. You can use the valve to find your perfect grip. Cover the valve with your palm, and spread your fingers around the ball.

TIP! Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. If you’re able to do more with your other hand daily, you can start controlling it better.

Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another. If you know your team members intimately and everyone trusts each other, your game will be seriously enhanced.

TIP! If possible, keep the ball below your knees. This is going to make things harder for your opponents if they want to steal the ball.

Keep calm while shooting the ball. Concentrate on the basket. Your eyes should fix a point behind the rim while you shoot. If you are trying a lay-up, focus on the specific backboard region you use for teh bank.

Once you have possession of the basketball, know when to pass and when to take a shot. When you assist, you are still winning the game.

TIP! If someone is attempting a shot from one of the court’s corners, that shot (if missed) will probably bounce over to the opposite side of the net. If that happens, you need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.

Proper pivoting is essential in the game of basketball. A good basketball player can pivot without thought or tangling. Work on your stance, and then practice reacting quickly when you’ve got the ball in your hands.

TIP! To succeed in basketball you should learn how to change the path of your opponent. Regardless of whether you play defense or offense, the ability to control the other team creates a significant advantage.

Have a game plan you want to accomplish when beginning a workout routine. Frequently, players visit the gym without any plan in mind. They simply visit with friends and go from one thing to the next without focus. If your workout is in written form, it is easier to concentrate on what you need to get accomplished.

TIP! When rebounding, hit the floor with your legs wide apart. Have your hands on both sides of the ball.

High level basketball players know that dribbling is as much mental as it is physical. You need to control the basketball spin, just how hard the contact is with the court and even where exactly it lands relative to your feet. Keep the opposing defender in a high state of awareness by switching up your position and momentum.

TIP! If you’re in possession of the ball, learn when you should be passing the ball to a player with a better shot and when you should be taking the shot yourself. It’s much better being a piece in your team’s winning shot than being the one player with the shot that costs your team the game.

Now that you learned a great deal about basketball, you should take your game to another level. Set your personal goals and practice to boost your skills. Using these tips will allow you to become an amazing player.