Basketball has really exploded in popularity and is now adored by millions all over the world. Basketball can be enjoyed even more when you know how the game is played well. The intricacies of the game are nearly limitless. The article that follows allows you to do that.

When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. You can practice dribbling almost anywhere. Dribble the ball as you go about your day doing errands like walking the dog. If you look at the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.

TIP! Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. You’ll want to use your fingertips to dribble instead of using your palm.

Focus on your strong point to help you become a better ball player. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best. Know your strengths and keep practicing to get even better.

Free Throws

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Basketball is sport played in teams, but there are times when no one is around to play with you. That is okay. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. You can always practice.

TIP! Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

Work on core strength when you work out. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Jumping rope can also help you become lighter on your feet and quicker on the court.

Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. If you try to rush your play, and can’t keep up, you will turn the ball over or make unforced mistakes.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. 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! Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.

Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. Do not remain in one place. It’s not likely that you will be able to successfully catch and shoot without moving. You must move the ball to have things happen.

Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. While it will allow you to catch passes and read the score, there is more to it than that. Peripheral vision must be razor-honed. If you’re looking around the whole court and not only at the ball, you’ll be able to look to the defense to see if pressure is coming and you can see who’s open.

TIP! Practice the skill of pass catching. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well.

Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. When running in the direction of the net, straighten up while planting the front foot. You will have the guard think that you’re slowing down. In turn, they will straighten themselves. As hes does, plow forward and run by him.

Keep dribbling until you’re ready to either pass or shoot. If you stop, you limit your options. If you don’t shoot or pass, you have to pivot on the back foot. The opposition will cling onto you like a magnet.

You should keep the ball below the knees if you’re able to. This is going to make things harder for your opponents if they want to steal the ball. You need to bend your knees to have this happen, but you will be able to move along the court fast because you’ll be throwing off your defenders.

TIP! If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. Muscle is good, but you can have too much.

Keep a rhythm while dribbling to throw your opponents off. Dribble consistently, then break it up by dribbling fast. This will keep your opponent off balance so you can get in a good shot. It’s not just the speed, it’s the change in sound too that can stymy the person guarding you.

Practice shooting the ball from many different areas in order to improve your ability. The first thing to do is to practice on your balance and your grip. It is possible to make an off-balance shot, but it has less accuracy. Utilize the basketball’s air valve as a way to improve your grip. Your fingers of the dominant hand can be placed on the ball with your palm centered on the valve.

Basketball is an exciting game that many people worldwide have come to love. But, without sufficient understanding of the intricacies of the game, newcomers may feel somewhat lost. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand basketball a bit better and that you can use some of these tips yourself.