TIP! Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. You have seen some crazy shots made by professionals, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals.

Basketball is loved around the world. Basketball is universally enjoyable by people who want to play for fun and those who wish to play semi professionally or professionally. Learn how you can up your game and make a positive difference to your team. The following tips will help you become an even better player.

TIP! Always work on your layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. You need to perform crossovers very quickly to get good results. Once you have learned how to do a crossover, you can travel down the court quickly.

TIP! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes.

Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. 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! Should you receive an injury during the course of the game, never try to continue playing despite the pain. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon.

Would you like to fool the opposing team? Make use of the back pass. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This will trick your opponents.

Core Muscles

TIP! To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand.

If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back. The core muscles link lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they won’t have strong athletic performances. By developing a strong core, your legs will follow suit.

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking.

Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Footwork is the key to either of these.

TIP! Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it.

Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.

TIP! Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. This is so that you’re able to catch passes, get shots in, and look at the scoreboard.

In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. Know which players are left and right handed. If you know their game, you can defend against it. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.

TIP! Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Shuffle your feet in a side to side motion, then use your opposite foot to push off and give you good leverage.

Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. As with boxing, you can increase footwork speed and dexterity by jumping rope.

TIP! Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body.

Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. By developing a quick ritual, you can help train your body to make free throws.

TIP! If you are in a defensive position, keep yourself low. This stance will keep you ready for whatever comes your way.

To gain greater dribbling skill, always practice with the weaker hand as well as the more dominant one. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. Soon, you will be able dribble with your weaker hand as well as you can with your dominant hand.

TIP! Practice dribbling while switching the momentum of your body from side to side. This will happen during games frequently.

Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. Your ability to handle the ball will affect your success on the court.

TIP! If you’re serious about basketball, seriously consider your diet. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein.

Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.

TIP! Take control of opposing players’ movements. Whether you’re playing offense or defense, controlling what the other player does is essential.

Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. Develop your peripheral vision on the court. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.

TIP! Be careful not to double-dribble. To keep from double dribbling, simply refrain from starting to dribble a second time after you have already stopped dribbling once in that same possession.

If you want to put pressure on the offense, you need to change the pace of things. When you’re going towards the net you should plant the foot in front and start straightening up. Your guard will do the same, thinking you plan to stop. After that, push hard in a forward motion and scoot by them.

TIP! Whether you keep possession of the ball or not is based in your position just before and right after a rebound. Jump using both feet for increased power and stability and grab the ball using both hands.

Increase your weak hand’s capabilities by using it for everything you normally would not. You’ll find it becomes more controllable. So, drill with the weaker hand and use in it in real life.

TIP! Always know where the basketball is headed when it leaves a players hands. Rebounds are one of the most important parts of the game.

There are lots of ways to become a better basketball player. Some techniques are easy to learn through practice. It is important that you practice as much as possible to improve your game. You can perform drills by yourself of with your team, or you can mentor younger players. Any way you approach it, these activities will benefit your game.