The sport of basketball is a world within itself. You learned to get the ball around from player to basket. Today, you are probably a lot more confident. These tips prove that you haven’t learned it all.

Free throw practice is vitally important. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard. Practice frequently using these techniques. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. There may be a number of distractions so you need to focus on your goal. Once you’ve visualized this, take your shot as you just saw it in your head.

TIP! Try learning how to hit free throw shots. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear.

Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. This should be something you do quickly. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.

Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Stay focused and vigilant to improve your ability to make free throws.

A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.

TIP! When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven’t practiced enough.

Interested in tricking your opponents? The back pass is perfect for this. Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. Next, pull the ball behind your back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. You can use this action to deceive your opponents.

Strong Core

Basketball players need to build strong core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. The core connects the lower extremities to the upper extremities. Without a strong core, your performance may be limited. A strong and solid core allows force that is generated via the legs to be used for helpful movements during the game like higher jumps and faster running.

TIP! A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. Playing basketball without dribbling is very challenging, but your entire team will quickly improve their passing skills.

Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Honestly and openly assess your own performance. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.

If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. When you get this move down, you will have an advantage.

Practice passing while looking in other directions. This is a great technique in order to help confuse the opponents. The look will cause your guard to turn away. It can be a really powerful move in the game.

TIP! If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured.

When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. 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.

Free Throw

In order to become a better free throw shooter you need to have a good practice routine. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure. If you want to perfect free throw shooting, pick a routine and repeat it continuously. If your free throw routine is out of whack, you will miss.

TIP! See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Do they feel you are really good at something? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet.

A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Make them feel uncomfortable and to where they’re second guessing their next move. Use aggression with your moves. Do not let them call the shots. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.

To see improvement in outside shooting skills, you must practice your shots hundreds of times daily from various points on the court. For even better results, practice the run-up to your shot in addition to the actual shot. Try to keep from looking at the rim until you are getting ready to release the ball. This can help to improve your accuracy by simulating actual game conditions.

Always anticipate where a missed basket might go so you can grab the resulting rebound. Pay attention to this as you prepare for a rebound.

TIP! Understanding the opponent is a good way to win with defense. Watch taped games, and keep current with scouting reports.

Having good positioning on the court when trying to grab a rebound will help you keep the ball. Jump with both feet for improved power and balance and retrieve the ball with both hands. After rebounding, land with wide feet to keep your balance, and clutch the ball to your chest.

You need to control your nerves when shooting the ball. Keep focused on the basket. Condition your focus on the backside of the rim during the times when you shoot. But if you want to do a layup, just pay attention to where you need to bounce the ball on the back board.

If you’re guarding a taller person, try to keep your body between that opponent and the person with the ball. This will make them not available for a pass which can help you to be sure that they can’t just get the ball and shoot over you.

TIP! If you experience a slump in your scoring and shooting, your shoulders may be the cause of the problem. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot.

You have to have a good pivot to play well. It is important to practice how you move your feet, so you can pivot by instinct, without stopping to think about where to put your feet. Practice this frequently without the ball, and then with the ball.

Now that you learned a great deal about basketball, you should take your game to another level. Set and follow through on goals to become more skilled. Make use of these good tips to improve your strategy and become the player you have always dreamed of being.