TIP! Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. These shots look easy on television, but are actually hard when you are doing the shooting.

A great thing about basketball is the fact that the fundamentals are easy to learn. The basic strategies of the game can be acquired in a few minutes time. Once you get started, though, you will undoubtedly want to learn more, and this article is a great starting point.

TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.

TIP! You need good balance when you shoot. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. When dribbling the basketball, use your fingertips rather than the palm of your hand. This allows you to control the ball better. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Always look upwards, never at the ground.

TIP! Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Make use of the back pass. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass.

Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy. Practice this technique regularly. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Concentrate on the basket and visualize the basketball going in. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.

TIP! If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. You can do this by watching games in person and on television. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.

Core Muscles

TIP! In order to be more reliable shooting free throws, practice your routine. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, ensure they’re training core muscles in the right way. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.

TIP! When moving in for a layup, push off from your weaker foot and lead with your shooting hand. If you use your right hand to shoot, use your left foot to take off.

Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. Taking excessive steps while not dribbling results in a call of walking as well as a turnover. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.

TIP! You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands.

Your routines must be consistent for free throws. If you’re consistent, your shots will be too. You can shoot better free throws by making sure you use the same exact routine every time, and of course practice. Failing to stick with your routine can adversely affect your shooting accuracy.

TIP! You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep.

Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Do not let them call the shots. Otherwise, the opponents will win all the shots and dominate you. Rather, you make the initial move and break up their flow.

TIP! Make sure that you can see clearly. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting.

Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster. That means there is less time for the other side to grab it. Stop dribbling when people guard you too closely.

TIP! A key play on defense is to draw a charge. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul.

A great way to make sure you’re in a good position defensively is to keep yourself in the defensive stance. You will always be in a defensive position if you slide your feet one way and then the other and push off using your opposing foot. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.

TIP! When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly.

Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. After that, push hard in a forward motion and scoot by them.

TIP! Serious basketball players take their diets seriously too. Carbs, fats and proteins all keep your energy levels at the right place.

Keep low when you play defense. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Stay in your defensive stance all the time. If you find you have to abandon your stance to do some blocking, get back into formation as fast as you can.

TIP! Make your opponent change their path. Regardless of whether you play defense or offense, the ability to control the other team creates a significant advantage.

For your weaker hand, to build skills, use it off-court for as much as you can, from brushing teeth to opening jars. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This will show in your next match.

TIP! If you know that the person with the ball is weak with one hand, force them to use it. For example, take a step to your right to force a right-handed player to step out of his or her comfort zone.

Only stop dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass the ball. After you have stopped dribbling, your options are quite limited. Your only option, besides shooting or passing, is to use your back foot to pivot. This will leave you open for double teaming from opponents and you may lose control of the ball.

TIP! When working out, make sure to jot down what you must achieve. Do not approach your gym visits without a solid plan of attack.

Landing with a wide stance after catching a rebound will make it easier for you to retain you balance. Keep your hands on either side of the ball and hold it tight to your chest. Be mindful of your elbows, since hitting an opponent with them is a foul.

TIP! High level basketball players know that dribbling is as much mental as it is physical. You will be able to control how hard it’s hitting, where it’s going to land near your feet, and how it’s spinning.

When shooting the ball you have to be sure not to get nervous. This will help improve your focus during the shot. Focus your stare on the back part of the rim as you are shooting. However, if you’re trying to make a layup, you have to look at where you’re going to shoot the ball on the backboard so it bounces in.

TIP! Never let emotions get the best of you when speaking with officials. Although there might be a disagreement with a ref, instead you should as the ref why he made the call.

Perhaps you discovered basketball just before you saw this article. Perhaps you played a match or two as a child. Regardless of the reason, this article will advise you on how to improve your game. Try this advice out whenever you can play.