TIP! Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

Everyone seems to love basketball. It’s not that simple to be the most talented in the game. You can be born with talent, but the game can be enjoyed by everyone. Continue to read and learn more about basketball.

TIP! Learn the mechanics of a free throw. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard.

Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not. This technique should be practiced often if possible. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. When you shoot, keep the visualized trajectory in mind.

TIP! Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. At the same time, take into account any other extraneous factors that may affect the pass.

TIP! Make sure to practice catching passes. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones.

Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed. Relax as you focus on making the shot, and soon you’ll be making more free throws.

TIP! Knowing your opponent is the best way to play a tough defensive game. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games.

Practice your passes and catches frequently. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. By learning to catch errant passes, you will do your team a great favor.

TIP! A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself.

Practice using different types of defenses. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If you have not practiced enough on this scenario, you could run afoul of the scoreboard very fast.

TIP! You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. You should work to make your opponent feel uncomfortable.

A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.

Core Muscles

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. Then your defending guards should encircle the point guard to trap him in place.

If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs. The core is what holds the body in balance and allows the limbs to work well. When your core muscles are strong, you become a more powerful force on the court. This means greater speed and higher jumping skills.

TIP! Keep the activity below the knees if possible. Defenders will have a more difficult time stealing the ball.

Speed is everything in basketball. Developing speed and vision is vital to playing the game well. You have to be steady as you play quickly. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.

TIP! For example, a misfired shot launched from the corner of a basketball court usually hits the net, bounces off the site, and lands on the opposite side. If that happens, you can guess the place where it will go and manage to get the rebound.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. Taking excessive steps while not dribbling results in a call of walking as well as a turnover. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.

TIP! If you’ve studied the opposing team and found one player isn’t as good with one hand as with the other, try to make that player use his off hand. If they’re usually strong with their right hand, step near them using the left foot so that they need to switch sides.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.

TIP! If you’re in possession of the ball, learn when you should be passing the ball to a player with a better shot and when you should be taking the shot yourself. It’s more important to get the ball to the person who can make the shot than try to take a shot that will certainly miss or be blocked.

If you wish to do free throw shots reliably, always do the exact same thing before making each shot. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.

TIP! Dribbling is as much mental as it is physical. There are many variables that involve getting the ball to the exact point where you want it.

Are you prepared to give this your all? Start with some practice, of course. Get yourself pumped up and mentally psyched, then step onto the court and do it! You will see the improvement with your skills after using this advice.