Do you dream of becoming a huge basketball star? Do you want to play better? This article will tell you how to master the game of basketball.

TIP! Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot.

You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. When executed properly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.

TIP! Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area.

Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

TIP! Never try to push through pain after an injury. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured.

Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones. When the game is going on, every pass isn’t going to make it to its target. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.

TIP! Understand your opponent. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player.

When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. You will notice that most basketball players have well-defined muscles that are not overdeveloped.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game.

Should you receive an injury during the course of the game, never try to continue playing despite the pain. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. If the injury feels too bad then seek medical attention right away.

TIP! It can help you when you pass through your legs. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs.

Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? When looking at the tape, don’t be too critical, but be honest. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.

TIP! Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent.

To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Don’t allow yourself to use your dominant hand when practicing. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!

TIP! When you have a chance, take a charge. This play gets your team possession of the ball and a foul against your opponent.

Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you’re able to dribble in any situation. Making a goal isn’t just standing there as the ball miraculously comes to you and then shooting it at the basket. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.

TIP! If you want to build the dexterity of your weaker hand, start using it for everyday tasks like shining your shoes or opening doors. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve.

You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Even youngsters can strengthen their arms and legs to improve game play. As they reach their teen years, bring weights in to further enhance exercise. Playing as an adult, it is important that you focus on your stamina for optimal performance.

TIP! Shoot hundreds of shots every day from every position on the court to improve your shooting skills. If you wish to get even better at this, try dribbling and then stopping to make a quick shot.

For your weaker hand, to build skills, use it off-court for as much as you can, from brushing teeth to opening jars. If you are able to become more dexterous in terms of your weaker hand in general life, you’re going to have better control of it. This will begin to spill over into your basketball game as well.

TIP! To become a much better basketball player, try speaking with teammates and learning what they do. You need a team to play basketball.

Now that you have read the information here, you can now jump in. It’s important to practice regularly and be confident with what you are doing. Keep these tips in mind as you impress on the court.