Do you remember the first time you played basketball? You were finding your way around shooting, dribbling and passing. Now, you feel like you are the game’s master. This article will provide you with what you need to know.

Keep practicing your layups. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? Try doing what is known as a back pass. Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball.

Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. There are many factors which come into play, though.

If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.

If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. A strong core helps you jump higher and run faster.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back.

Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. You can get around that when you use hand signals, if a player can receive a pass. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.

Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies. One simple thing to know before the game is if your opponent shoots with their right or left hand. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.

Focus on your footwork and core strength when working out. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet. You should get a good workout in your hips, buttocks, back and abs. Jump rope like the boxers do to increase your footwork speed.

TIP! When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse.

With all of the knowledge you have in front of you now, only you can decide your future. Put some goals into play and practice all that you can. Adding in these tips will help you achieve your goals to improve your game.