TIP! If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one.

Basketball season can be an all encompassing obsession for players and for the fans who support the teams. Professional players must work to give their fans something to cheer for. Every member of the team plays a part in the excitement, so make sure you do the work of assessing yourself and knowing where you need to improve. Use these tips to help you improve your skills and win the game.

TIP! If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best.

Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. You need the right balance to shoot; it is the only way to eventually make consistent baskets.

TIP! Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. Practice running while dribbling, jumping and shooting as smoothly as you can. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court.

A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.

TIP! During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly.

A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing. When you find a player who has the skills that you want, then watch them and emulate.

TIP! It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn.

Practice catching passes often. When you practice, be sure to do drills that improve catching wild throws and making great passes. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. Be a better teammate by anticipating a bad pass to make sure it doesn’t get into the opponents hands.

TIP! Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. Some shooting guards worked on their arms so much that they started lowering their percentage of field goals.

TIP! Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure.

Do you want to fool the other team? Try doing what is known as a back pass. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand. Pull it behind you. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. This is a good way to trick your opponents.

TIP! In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court. Hand signals help ensure that the player is ready to take the ball. If they don’t signal, don’t pass to them.

TIP! To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball.

To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.

Keep your eye on the ball. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes. Keep your eyes open for areas that are open.

TIP! Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. Standing there without dribbling takes away most of your options on offense.

Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Pay attention to how they play. For example, you might look to see which players favor their left side and which have dominant right hands. The more you understand what you are up against, the more likely you are to develop an effective strategy during games. The strongest defenders are those who have information.

TIP! What you eat can affect how you play. Carbs, fats and proteins all keep your energy levels at the right place.

Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. Strengthen you back muscles along with abs, hips and buttocks. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.

TIP! You have to know how to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are in an offensive or defensive stance, make other players do what you want.

Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim. This technique will help you rebound the ball without getting a foul called on you.

TIP! What your position is in relationship to the rebound can help you figure out if you will still have the ball. If you wish to have better balance and power, then make sure you use both feet when you jump.

Always stay low when playing defensively. This helps your reaction time against your opponent. You must always utilize the proper defensive stance. You may have to break your stance if you must block a shot, but return as fast as you can.

TIP! One of thing you should learn if you are going to be a good basketball player is how to pivot. You must practice footwork so that you are comfortable on your feet.

There is a lot to know when it comes to basketball. A better player leads to a better team which means a bigger, happier fan-club and cheering section. Many things from players to fans to concepts play their part in this sport. Your part as a player is to assist your team any way that you can. Just keep these concepts close at hand, and you can be transformed into a truly valuable player.