Do you wish you were like a famous ball player, such as Lebron James or Michael Jordan. Rather than merely dreaming of greatness, how about learning what it takes to really succeed? The following article has professional tips to help you become a star player.

Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes. When the pressure is on, not every pass will come straight to you. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

TIP! Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups.

Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Basketball is sport played in teams, but there are times when no one is around to play with you. It’s okay! There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. Work on your pivot moves or practice your free throws. You can always do something.

If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. 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. Knowledge is power, even in basketball.

Focus on your footwork and your core strength in your workouts. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. You must work out your hip, back and abdomen muscles. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

TIP! Perfect your bounce pass. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist.

One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. You won’t be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren’t in the right position. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. Try to line your dominant shoulder up with the rim.

To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. Whatever you do, from bending your knees to dribbling three times, do every time. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.

TIP! Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team.

To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle. If you have somebody guarding you very closely, pass the ball to an open teammate.

Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. You will find that it becomes easier to score and make layups.

You should ensure that you can clearly see. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. Peripheral vision must be razor-honed. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.

TIP! Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. One thing that can frustrate you when playing basketball is to try and pass while a player is trying to run to the basket.

Never pass up a charging opportunity. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you. This can be devastating to the other team.

When on defense, try to keep yourself low whenever you can. This allows you to jump or react quicker. Stay in your defensive stance. If you need to block the opposing team’s shot, resume your stance as soon as you can.

You can improve your shooting skills by practicing with shots from different spots on the court. Try to practice a hard dribble followed by a quick shot. Once in the air, keep an eye on the target. But, be sure not to look at it beforehand. You can improve your accuracy to help you when the game is live.

Have you learned some helpful tips? You need to develop confidence and practice consistently. Keep these tips in mind and show everyone your skills!