What basketball information should I know? What do you need to get down to be the best player that you can be? These tips will help you become better in no time the next time you’re on the court.

Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. After doing so correctly, a crossover gives you greater control over the court’s flow.

TIP! Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Use the fingertips, not the palm, for the best dribbling.

Balance is important when shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques. They are not doing it right. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.

Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!

Frequently train yourself on your pass catching moves. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. Help your teammates by learning what you need to haul in those imperfect passes.

TIP! 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.

You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t get too frustrated if you’re having a hard time when you start because after a while passes are going to be more accurate.

Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Consider the back pass. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Now hold the ball behind you. And last, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. You can use this action to deceive your opponents.

One good way to always be ready for whatever happens on the court is to never turn your back on the ball. This will help you stay on top of quick changes in possession or plays attempted by your opponent. Scan the court looking for openings to make a basket.

TIP! Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level.

Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Stay honest when you’re assessing yourself, but don’t over criticize yourself either. Sometimes it’s beneficial to look at yourself the way you really look and not just like you think you look.

Passing between the legs is something that helps when you have defense all over you. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. It can be very confusing to your opponents. If you can pull it off, it’s effective to draw your opponents away from the shooter. That way the shooter gets a great look before shooting. It’s a powerful play when done right.

TIP! Play games against yourself in and out of season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it.

In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left. 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.

Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this. Force them out of their comfort zone. Use aggression with your moves. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. Rather, move first; attack their rhythm.

Ensure that you have good court awareness. This will help you to secure the ball during the game. You want to be sure that your peripheral vision is at its best. If you scan the entire court instead of keeping your eye on the basketball, you will be aware of oncoming defensive pressure as well as the positions of your open teammates.

TIP! Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Do you have an area where you excel? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.

Have your questions received answers? Are you prepared to get out there and show off some new skills? Do you think this article has helped you figure out how to be a more effective basketball player? Continue to practice and use the above advice and enjoy the outcome.