TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling.

Men and women, young and old alike, enjoy basketball as a sport. Anyone can play. Get everyone together so you can show them what you’ve learned. Which ones? You should keep reading to learn more about basketball.

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. You should practice catching errant passes, along with perfectly executed ones.

Perfect your free throw. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy. Practice often using the following technique. Start by holding your basketball right in the front of your own face. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

TIP! Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play.

Keep your head up when you dribble. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven’t practiced enough. Carry your basketball everywhere. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. Get used to looking up as you go so that you can focus your attention on the court and not on your hands and the ball.

TIP! Play games against yourself in and out of season. Basketball is sport played in teams, but there are times when no one is around to play with you.

Crossovers are key for ball handlers. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand. This must be done quickly to be successful. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.

TIP! Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Do you do something particularly well? They may say you’re fast or that you share well.

You need good balance when you shoot. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They have just improvised, is all. Keep your balance so you can consistently win points.

TIP! Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds.

Perfect your layup technique. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

TIP! A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself.

When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team. That’s OK! You can still practice when playing alone. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. You can always work on something.

Strong Core

TIP! Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. When you approach the goal, put your front foot in firm place and start straightening up.

If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. The core connects the lower extremities to the upper extremities. Without a strong core, your performance may be limited. By developing a strong core, your legs will follow suit.

TIP! It can be great help to do strength training when you’re training for basketball. Stamina and physical strength are required for basketball excellence.

If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. In case of serious injury, it is time to see a doctor.

TIP! Your defenders need to wait for the point guard to make it 10′ ahead of the time line. Then they need to get to the guard on point to trap him.

When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance. 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! Shoot from every point on the court thousands of times a day to get better. Practice dribbling and quick shots.

You need to be quick to play good basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast. It takes steady drilling to play fast. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.

TIP! Make sure you don’t pick up your dribble unless you are prepared for a shot or pass. The instant you stop the dribble, your options become limited.

To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.

TIP! Keep the ball below knee level if possible. This prevents your opponents from stealing the ball.

Now that you know how to play, you can be confident when you play. You may even know information now that your friends do not. Keep in mind that this game is supposed to be fun, and it needs to stay that way. Apply the knowledge you have learned here and you will be winning games and having fun in no time!