Basketball is not just a game you play in gym class or intramural competition. It is possible to play this at home or in the park. To shoot hoops and play basketball better in general, focus reading the information below.

Be sure to dribble correctly every time. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Keep your head up, do not stare down towards the ground.

TIP! Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team.

Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This is one of those shots that seem easy but in real life are difficult. Practice a lot with the following method. First, keep the ball in front of you and at eye level. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. It should be done quickly. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.

Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team. Perfect what you can do well by practicing and developing the strengths you already have.

TIP! Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will.

Do not only practice zone defense plays. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.

If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Muscle strength is beneficial for playing any basketball position, but there is such a thing as too much. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.

Do you want to fool the other team? Try doing what is known as a back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to move. Doing this will trick your opponent.

TIP! One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals.

In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. Getting a great position under the goal is the most important. Once you have a location, it is important that your feet are firmly planted there. Practicing your footwork is important to master these skills.

Playing Basketball

If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. Seek medical advice immediately if you have more than a minor muscle strain.

TIP! Work on catching passes frequently. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes.

Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Is there something that you excel at? Maybe you are quick like lightening or maybe you are a strong defender. You can learn a lot about your skills by knowing how others see you on the court.

The best free throws come as a result of routine. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. As you adopt this routine, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.

Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling. Basketball requires its players to move quickly, shoot accurately and pass well. Good dribbling skills will help you always stay in movement.

TIP! Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. There are times you may not find anyone to play with you.

Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice. If you master this, you will be able to quickly take layups.

No matter how intense the competition may be, you will enjoy basketball more when your skills improve. Since you read the above article, all you have to do is put these tips to use. As you develop your skills, you will automatically become a better ball player.