During basketball season, basketball consumes the lives of players and fans alike. You want to show those skills and work as a team to give your fans a reason to cheer. Each teammate is important to the team, so you need to do what you can to improve your abilities. Read on for great tips which will help you win more often.

Dribble the ball the right way. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm. This will give you better control of the basketball. When dribbling the basketball you should bounce it to your side instead of right in front. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.

TIP! You can easily focus on offense when learning to play basketball, however, you must really focus how playing defense. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games.

Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. That action has to be done fast to be successful. When you do it right, the crossover dribble helps you alter directions and go down the court faster.

A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.

Don’t pump a lot of iron if you wish to become a jump shooter. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

TIP! Correct dribbling is key. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling.

Need to dupe the opposition? Make use of the back pass. Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. Now hold the ball behind you. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. It is an effective means of confusing your opponents.

Core Muscles

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. The core links the upper and lower extremities and without a strong one, their athletic performance will be limited. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.

TIP! Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling.

In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. Keep your palm off the ball, too. When shooting or passing the ball, only your fingers should contact the ball.

Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. For example, you might look to see which players favor their left side and which have dominant right hands. When you know more about the opposing team, you will play a better defense. Knowledge is power, even in basketball.

Work on core strength when you work out. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games. Exercise your abdominal muscles as well as those of the hips, buttocks and back. Practicing with a jump rope is a great way to increase your foot speed.

TIP! Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it. Mastering this movement gives you a big advantage on the court.

To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.

You can improve a weak hand by using it in daily life. If you are able to become more dexterous in terms of your weaker hand in general life, you’re going to have better control of it. Your basketball skills will benefit.

Stop Dribbling

Only stop dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass the ball. You have few options remaining to you after you stop dribbling. If you don’t shoot or pass, you are going to be pivoting with your back foot. This makes you open up to people that want to double team you and that means you are also more likely to get the ball stolen.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to improve your game. When you improve your worth as a player, you can help to lead your team to victory while giving fans a taste of victory. No matter what your role is in supporting the team, everyone has a job they can improve on. In basketball, it’s important to play as a team. So keep these tips in mind and become a player that everyone can be glad to have on the team.