Basketballs is indeed an exciting, fast-paced sport that many people enjoy. However, to play the best you can, you must learn some things. These tips will help you become a better player.

Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. Your skills may not turn you into the star player, but knowing how to make the most of your skills will make you a more valuable player. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

TIP! It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other.

There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax and focus on your shot, and you can make it.

You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.

Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Don’t get upset if it seems hard, this will improve your team’s passes over time.

TIP! You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques.

Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Maintain awareness of open areas on the ball court that may allow you to quickly score a basket.

Understand your opponent. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. Smart defenders are good defenders.

Work on core strength when you work out. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.

TIP! Practice your layup shot often. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. It is essential to move the ball around in order to succeed.

A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. It will allow you to execute easy layups.

As this article has proven to you, basketball is one of the most enjoyable sports in the whole world. To play better, you need what you have learned here. Use the above tips to become a great player.