TIP! Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand.

Do you want to learn more about basketball? You’re not the first person that has felt this way! Many people watch basketball and wonder how the pros are able to play the way they do. The following article will give you tips used by pros.

TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard.

While focusing on offense is fun, you must also make sure you focus on defense. Basketball games are won with a good defense. Without good defense, a basketball team will lose the match.

TIP! Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player.

Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. This term refers to switching the hand you use. This action most be quick to work out. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. Although, there will be other circumstances that are involved too.

TIP! Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard.

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around. There’s nothing wrong with that. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. You don’t need other players to work on your skills.

Core Muscles

TIP! Never try to push through pain after an injury. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury.

If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.

TIP! Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers.

In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot. You need to be sure your spot is secure. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.

TIP! Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders.

If you experience a basketball injury, don’t keep playing. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. Be sure to seek medical care if you have a serious injury.

TIP! A good way to develop ball handling skills is to make your forearms and hands stronger. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills.

If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Keep your shoulders square to the hoop. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.

TIP! Be sure that you’re able to see clearly. While it will allow you to catch passes and read the score, there is more to it than that.

It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.

TIP! Defensive players need to stay low. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier.

Launch your layup jumps from the foot that is opposite the hand you shoot with. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off. Your body will be better balanced and moving in the direction of the basket. Your body will also be kept between the defender and yourself.

TIP! To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve.

To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Don’t allow yourself to use your dominant hand when practicing. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.

TIP! When dribbling, bend your knees. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. When you approach the goal, put your front foot in firm place and start straightening up. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

Strength Training

TIP! The best way to become a better player is to talk to your teammates and know what they are going to be doing. It takes the efforts of an entire team to succeed.

It can be great help to do strength training when you’re training for basketball. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. Even little kids who play basketball will develop more overall body strength. When they become teenagers, they will be able to step up to weight work to become even stronger. When you’re an adult you have to be sure to do strength training to do well on the court.

TIP! To succeed in basketball you should learn how to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are playing offense or defense, gaining control over the path of your opponent is a critical skill.

Always bend the knees while dribbling. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well. Just a slight bend in your knees can have a huge impact on ball control.

TIP! Your should have good position both before and after a rebound to assure you keep the ball. Use both feet to jump for the ball, then hold on with both of your hands.

For exercise, do a workout regimen that will enhance your skills and presence on the court. Running sprints helps you get faster for individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina. Build up your core muscles and the strength in your forearms. This is also good for making you much more relaxed while you’re shooting the ball.

TIP! When you shoot, try to stay calm. It’s important to focus.

Dribble in a rhythmic way until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass. Changing the speed also changes the sound which can be off-putting.

TIP! If you have to guard a taller or bigger player, concentrate on remaining between that person and the player with the ball. This will limit their ability to pass the ball.

The bottom line is that while you may like basketball a whole lot, it may be that you lacked some key information about it before today. However, after you’ve gathered additional knowledge about the game through this article, maybe you feel like getting out on the court and being a pro yourself. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your game!