TIP! If you get possession of the ball a lot, you must learn the crossover technique. This is when you switch hands while dribbling.

Now is the time to begin finding out more about basketball. Even if you are a basketball player, there are things left for you to learn. However, you aren’t aware of everything, and all players know that. So, perhaps you can learn something from this article. Read on for some useful ways you can improve your basketball game.

TIP! Constantly practice layups. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

Make it a point to concentrate on both your defensive and offensive skills. Focusing only on offense does not make you a well-rounded player. Basketball games are won more often by defense than offense. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

TIP! Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best.

Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Footwork is the best way to find an opening shot. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better.

Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. There are many factors which come into play, though.

TIP! One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed.

To learn how to pass well, drill without dribbling. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

TIP! High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else.

You can learn to trick the opposing team. Try using a back pass! To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Pull it behind you. Then do a wrist flick in the same direction that you want the ball to end up. This will trick your opponents.

TIP! Passing the ball through your legs is a useful maneuver if the opposing team is right on top of you. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back.

When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

TIP! To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off.

Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. In addition, if you move your feet and you don’t dribble, you will be called for walking. In addition, moving one foot while working on setting a screen or pick will produce a foul.

TIP! To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands.

Watch your own recorded games, and look for weak areas. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed. Look at how you did and judge yourself. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

Ball Handling

TIP! When dribbling, bend your knees. If your knees are not bent, the basketball will be more difficult to control.

Work on making your forearms and hands stronger in order to improve ball handling. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills. Never assume you can just stand somewhere, catch and then shoot. The ball should always be in control and moving.

TIP! Always set your three-point shooting practice goal at the official NBA distance. The standard line and college lines are much closer.

Once you are in your defensive stance, remember to hold your ground. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position. If you never allow your feet to cross one another you will invariably be a very hard player to get passed.

TIP! Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce above your knees when you dribble. This makes it more difficult for the opponent to take the ball.

Always attempt to remain low when you are playing defense. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Stay in a defensive stance. When you break your stance to block, return to proper form as quick as you can.

TIP! A great way to improve your game involves communicating with teammates so that you can anticipate their moves. Basketball is considered a team sport.

Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise. You might have a truly open court, but you might also be dealing with an onslaught of opposition. You will have to know the right way to dribble when the body is doing different things. This allows you to extricate yourself from high-pressure situations.

TIP! You have to change the path of your opponent. Regardless of your position, having this control allows you to limit the other player’s options.

You need to practice many types of shots on the basketball court. You should first practice on balancing and your grip. Shooting off balance is possible, but you will not be nearly as accurate with your shots. The basketball’s valve can improve your grip. Spread out your fingers, and center the valve in your hand.

TIP! Double dribbling is considered a foul. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling.

If you’re serious about your game, you should take your diet seriously. If you play all the time, you need to eat carbs on a regular basis. Don’t neglect protein and fat, though. Good foods that provide these essentials include nuts, lean meats and whole wheat breads. Sugar can give you an energy spike but it fades rather quickly, so try to stay away from sugary foods.

TIP! To help maintain your balance when catching a rebound, try to land with your feet shoulder width apart. Hold the ball tightly against your chest with one hand on each side.

Using the information you got here, you can hit the court with new-found energy. It’s a lot of fun to learn something new and then see how you can do it yourself. Keep all of this in mind and improve your natural talents. Basketball truly is a thrill.