What should I learn about basketball? How should I educate myself so that I can turn into a better player? This article will provide you with great tips that will come in handy the next time that you go to play a game of basketball.

If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Know your strengths and practice them until you have perfected them.

TIP! Learn the mechanics of a free throw. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult.

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.

Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! You can do this by watching games in person and on television. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

Work on being able to receive a pass. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. Understand that during a game, you will receive very scattered passes. Some will be good; some won’t. Therefore, learn how to catch any type of pass so that you can help lead your team to victory.

TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands.

A good way to improve team passing to use a no dribbling drill, that is to play the game without dribbling at all. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes. This may be hard and frustrating at first, but as you get the hang of it your entire team will begin to excel at passing.

Core Muscles

If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong core helps the legs move better, like jumping higher and running faster.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups.

A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes. Also, watch for areas to open up so you can make an easy basket.

Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game. Find out who are the right-handed or left-handed players. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.

You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with.

Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.

Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands. Tie your dominant hand behind your back and force yourself only to use your weak hand. You will quickly strengthen your non-dominant hand for dribbling.

You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball. By doing this, you can increase your chance to get the rebound despite starting in a disadvantageous position.

TIP! Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. Are you really good at any one thing? Maybe you are quick like lightening or maybe you are a strong defender.

Try to get the basketball from one side of the court to the other in about five dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.

Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. You need to have the best peripheral vision possible. This will help you to find open teammates and keep an eye out for the defensive players.

Are you now ready with answers to your biggest basketball questions? Can you take the whole court by storm? Is becoming an amazing player on the horizon for you now? Keep going, keep practicing, and using these tips to better your results.