TIP! Dribble properly. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

When you wish to better your basketball game, you must practice. That said, what’s the point in practicing when you aren’t doing it right in the first place? Keep reading to discover some great basketball tips to help you improve your game.

TIP! You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

Learn proper dribbling. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling. This provides you with much more ball control. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! Balance is vital to good shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense.

Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand. That action has to be done fast to be successful. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.

TIP! Free throws have a huge mental element to them. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time.

Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. While you may have a particular skill that isn’t going to make you stand out as the star player, honing it can help you become an integral part of your team’s success. Realize your limitations, and roll with your talents.

TIP! Do not practice solely against zone defense. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you.

Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax and focus on your shot, and you can make it.

Core Muscles

TIP! It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs. 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 core that’s solid and strong will allow you to use force that comes from your legs so you can jump higher and run faster.

TIP! If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. You can train for this maneuver by stepping forward or backwards as you bounce the ball real hard in-between your legs.

To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. You must beat the opposing playing to an open spot. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Both of those skills rely on solid footwork.

TIP! Look away when you practice passing. This is a great way to fake out your opponents.

The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Try to keep your palm off of the ball as well. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him.

Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.

TIP! Foster a positive relationship with your team members regardless of whether you are playing or practicing. Basketball is something that can work in a team’s favor if they all work together well.

The best free throws come as a result of routine. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.

TIP! Learn to control where your opponent can and can’t move. Whether you are playing defense or offense, you must be capable of controlling the directions of opposing players.

To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. Thus, if you use your right hand for shooting, you need to push off using your left foot. 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! What your position is in relationship to the rebound can help you figure out if you will still have the ball. Jump with both of your feet to have more balance and power and then get the ball gripped with both of your hands.

To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This will allow you to score a rebound without getting penalized for a foul.

TIP! If you already know that the ball handler has a weak side, try to force the use of it. For example, if your opponent is right handed, force them to use their left hand.

Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. You don’t need great vision just to keep score. Your peripheral vision should be the best it can be. If you’re looking around the whole court and not only at the ball, you’ll be able to look to the defense to see if pressure is coming and you can see who’s open.

TIP! Know where the ball goes when it is in the air. Rebounds represent a crucial component of any basketball game.

Don’t leave your defensive stance. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot. Avoid getting your feet cross as this makes it much more difficult for the opponent to get by you.

TIP! Learning how to pass is critical to the game of basketball. Good passing helps beat your opponent.

Have two of your guards wait for the point guard to go past midcourt for the best results. This is when they should trap him. While this is happening, your forwards must sprint toward players in the wings. Point guards need to throw up passes that your team’s forwards can steal easily.

TIP! Pivoting is something you must do if you wish to get good at basketball. You must practice your footwork until pivoting correctly is second nature.

Even if you only play basketball once in a while, these tips will help you out. Use a single tip at a time and incorporate it into your game play. You can improve your game in every way, just like professional.