Take Your Basketball Game To New Levels By Using These Tips

The fundamentals of basketball are not really hard to learn. You can learn the basics of basketball down in mere moments. However, there is always more to learn if you want to be a better basketball player, and the following tips will help.

If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team. Know your strengths and practice them until you have perfected them.

TIP! A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

Practice your free throws.Practice a lot with the following technique.Start out by holding the basketball right in front of your face. Keep your eyes on the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Then try shooting the ball with the trajectory that was in your mind.

Always dribble with your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball.You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while dribbling. Bring the ball no matter where you go out. Dribble the ball as you go about your day doing errands like walking the shops. If you are looking at the ball, you can’t see the court.

If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. Shooting guards that end up with bulked up arms sometimes find that it affects field goal percentages.

TIP! Interested in tricking your opponents? You should try a back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand.

You must have good balance when you shoot. While some NBA players are able to launch a ball to the net mid-fall, this is not the ideal way to score. By focusing on balance in your shot, you can improve your game.

A great way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes.

Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop your skills to become an all around better player. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts.

Play games against yourself during the season and before it. While basketball is a team sport, you may not be able to find others that will play. You can still accomplish a lot accomplished with solo games. Work on your free throws and pivot moves. There are always things that can work on.

Hand signals can help you from making bad passes. Hand signals can tell you if your teammate on the court.

Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Jump rope can be used to speed up your feet.

The key for controlling the ball control is to spread your fingers. That will ensure that you as you hold it. Don’t let your palms touch the ball either.

Build your core strength and work on your legwork when you train for basketball.Your body will retain balance and move faster when you have strong core muscles. Focus on the back, buttocks, and back muscles. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your feet.

In order to do the best you can with layups, you’ll want to take off with the foot that is opposite of your shooting hand. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.

TIP! You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. If you’re using both hands to dribble the ball well then you can get by an opponent easily.

You need to be quick to play good at basketball.Try to outplay your opponents for an advantage. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play quickly. Don’t play too fast and risk your skills allow.Playing beyond your capabilities will lead to bad passes and excessive turnovers.

Always be sure of where your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing.

Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling. Don’t ever believe you’re going to be able to stand still, receive a pass and take a shot. You must move the ball to have things happen.

TIP! Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice.

Practice passing while looking the other directions. You are able to confuse your opponents with this technique. If you do it right, then the receiver of the pass should have an advantage and a great look at the goal. It’s a play when done properly.

To make your layups count the most, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. This will keep you balanced with forward momentum.

Changing your pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. This will make the guard think you’re slowing down, then they will straighten their body too. After that, push hard in a forward motion and scoot by them.

Take a charge you can. This can be devastating to the court.

Don’t allow your feet get crossed and it will be hard to get around you.

To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. Being more dexterous means you will have better control. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.

TIP! Make sure you don’t pick up your dribble unless you are prepared for a shot or pass. When you stop dribbling the ball, you only have a limited amount of plays you can perform.

Then they should encircle the point guard to trap him in place. Your forwards should then go cover the player on both sides. The point guard will toss a pass that forwards can steal.

Standing straight will make you see that it’s harder to handle and easier for the ball.You will gain a lot of ball control with bent knees.

Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. However, you’re not actually going to push with this hand; instead, you’re going to separate yourself using this hand. Keep it up a little bit while you dribble.

TIP! Do not double dribble. A double dribble occurs when you’re done dribbling one time and then begin to do it again a little while afterwards.

Use the hand you’re not dribbling with to keep the ball and the opponent. You don’t need to push any opponents since that’s a foul, but you can hold your arm out gently. Keep your other arm up a little bit while you dribble.

Maybe you’ve only recently learned basketball. Perhaps the last time you played was when you were a child. Regardless of your skill level, what you have read will provide you with new information. Try this advice out whenever you can play.

Where you are before and following a rebound is going to mean the difference between possessing the ball or giving it to the other team. Improve your balance and power by jumping using both feet. Be sure to use both hands to secure the ball. Following a rebound, land with feet spread wider apart than shoulder width. In this way, you can stay balanced and hold the ball close.