Millions of people love playing and watching basketball. Having a thorough understanding of the game is the very best way to enjoy it. Read on to learn some tips to play the game well and enjoy what it takes to succeed.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! Learn the best way to make your free throws. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

Practice your layups a lot. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.

Core Muscles

If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.

In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. Once you have a location, it is important that your feet are firmly planted there. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.

TIP! If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter.

No sport can compare to the excitement basketball fans experience. However, those who are new to the game may not really know what it is going on when they lack knowledge about the game. We hope that this article has given you the things you need to know if you’re trying to understand the game of basketball.