TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again.

Basketball is a sport that millions of people all over the world love. You can play on your own or with a team. You can also play for fun or try and make a career of it. Get more information about how basketball works by reading through this article.

TIP! Always work on your layups. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups.

Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. Carry your basketball everywhere. Dribble as you walk down the street. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.

TIP! Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received.

You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.

TIP! Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage.

Don’t dribble during your drills. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. Frustration can be an issue at first, but passing will improve as time goes by.

TIP! Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong.

How would you like to trick the opposing team? Make use of the back pass. If you wish to try this pass, get the ball in your dominant hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. Doing this will trick your opponent.

TIP! If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back.

Unseen passes can be avoided when proper hand signals are used by teammates. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court. These common miscommunications can be avoided by utilizing hand signals, which tells the passing player the other player is ready for a pass. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.

TIP! Make use of hand signals so that wild passes can be avoided. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction.

If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. You must beat the opposing playing to an open spot. After establishing good position, you need to make sure you hold it. Footwork is the key to either of these.

TIP! Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. Is there something that you excel at? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities.

As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. Your body will be able to move quicker and be more balanced when you have srong core muscles. You must work out your hip, back and abdomen muscles. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

TIP! Practice passing while not looking in the direction of the pass. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents.

Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. Out of bounds will happen with even one toe over the baseline of the lined play area on the court. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.

TIP! Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand.

Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. You can use this information to improve your game. Seeing yourself realistically can be a great way to make changes in a positive direction.

TIP! Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster.

Now you should know how to get into basketball even more. It’s no cake walk, but basketball isn’t rocket science, either. You can succeed with information and dedication. After you get going, you are sure to start playing more often than ever before. Go out there and enjoy yourself!