Basketball is a beloved sport worldwide. One can turn basketball into their profession or just play it for fun in the park. Read this article for great basketball advice.

When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.

TIP! Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. This must be done quickly to be successful. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.

Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. These players are using creative improvisation. By focusing on balance in your shot, you will develop the consistency needed to be a great scorer.

Even professional basketball players spend a lot of time watching other people play basketball. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. While it’s a team sport, you may not be able to find others that will play. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s still a lot that you can do playing on your own. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. There is always something to practice.

If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Keep your palm off the ball, too. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. You should get a good workout in your hips, buttocks, back and abs. Jump rope like the boxers do to increase your footwork speed.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. Passing drills with your team is important for accurate passes during game time, and you can try doing them without dribbling at all.

Always be aware of your feet. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds. Going too many steps with no dribbling is a waking call and turnover situation. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

Develop a routine to use every time you shoot a free throw. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.

Free Throw

TIP! Play games against yourself in and out of season. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with.

In order to become a better free throw shooter you need to have a good practice routine. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off. Free throw shooting is best improved by lengthy sessions of repetitive practice. If you don’t stick to your routine, you could miss the shot.

Make sure that you can see clearly. Not to just be able to see the scoreboard, but to actually make a shot and catch a pass. Your peripheral vision should be up to par. It allows you to view the game as a whole rather than simply watching the ball. In this way, you can be aware of the players around you.

Now you should know how to be a better basketball player. It isn’t hard, but it does take some know-how and effort. Play as often as you can, especially against really good players. It’s time to shoot some hoops!