TIP! Watch your form while you dribble the ball. Don’t use your palm to dribble.

Basketball is a remarkable sport because it allows you to achieve great things with only a few simple skills. Basic techniques can be learned in a couple minutes. However, you can always learn new things if basketball is something you wish to be good at, and this article is here to help you.

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

Learn to correctly dribble the ball. Use fingertips to dribble. This method gives you much more control of the ball. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Instead of focusing on the ground, gaze upward.

TIP! Want to trick the other team? Try using a back pass! To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand. Move the ball so that it is behind you.

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. Without a strong mindset, your body simply goes through the motions to take the shot. Relax yourself and concentrate on your shot.

TIP! Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against.

Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. While you might see a zone defense mostly, a team can switch defenses to man-to-man quickly in order to confuse you. If you have not practiced against this, you may lose your grip of the game for the remainder of it.

TIP! Try using hand signals to prevent passes in error. You can become easily frustrated when a teammate does a poor job of anticipating your next passing move.

Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. The key to this relies on having good footwork.

TIP! When playing basketball, it is important to always keep your eye on the ball. This keeps you aware of what is going on so you aren’t surprised.

A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Keep your eyes open for areas that are open.

TIP! When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly.

Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well. Keep your palm off the ball, too. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time.

Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. You may get a foul call if you move your foot while you are attempting to take a charge, pick a charge or set a screen.

TIP! To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. Inconsistency will ruin your shots.

If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it. If your opponent is playing you up close, stop what you’re doing and quickly look to find and open teammate to pass the ball to.

TIP! To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster.

Alternating your pace is critical to keeping the defense guessing. When you approach the goal, put your front foot in firm place and start straightening up. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. When that happens, push ahead and run past.

TIP! Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. Using both hands when playing is an important skill if you can develop it when you’re not playing.

Maybe you just started playing the game before looking up this article. Perhaps you grew up playing the sport. Either way, the information located above can assist you in becoming a great ball player. Use the knowledge you have gained to step up your game and become the best basketball player that you possibly can.