The sport of basketball is extremely popular. Regardless of if you are a spectator, a coach or a player, you know how exciting basketball can be. If you enjoy playing, imagine how much more fun it would be if you were a better player. In this article, we will discuss excellent tips that will help you become the best player possible to help your team win.

Practice shooting free throws. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. Practice regularly and employe the technique that follows. Start by holding your basketball right in the front of your own face. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. You should then shoot and try following the trajectory you visualized.

TIP! Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that.

When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. Wherever you go, take your ball with you. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. By looking forward instead of at the basketball, you are able to see the happenings on the court.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.

Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.

TIP! To get better in your basketball game, focus on your strengths. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team.

Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back. The core links both the lower and upper extremities. Without a strong core, they will have limited athletic performance. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.

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. Also know which is their dominant and weak hands. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.

Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. You can learn a lot by watching your plays instead of just trying to remember what you did.

TIP! Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

In order to become better at dribbling the ball you should learn how to practice using your weak hand. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Don’t allow yourself to use your dominant hand when practicing. This will help you use that hand more easily and improve your dribbling with that hand.

If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable. Execute aggressive moves. Other players should not influence the plays you make. If you do so, then your rivals have the control. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.

Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Wrist curls are great for bettering your ball handling in basketball to the point where you could practically do it sleepwalking. Don’t believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. The best way to get into the flow of the game is to be in motion.

TIP! Don’t just practice playing against a zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage.

Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. If you gain more mastery of it in all walks of life, you improve overall control. That can make your game better.

Your diet plays a major role in your health and success on the basketball court. When playing regularly, you are going to need lots of carbs for serious energy, along with some fats and protein. Smart thigns to include in your diet are peanut butter, wheat breads, chicken and nuts. Avoid using excessive sugar and salt.

You have to change the path of your opponent. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing defense of offense. Controlling where someone else is going can be very important. This allows you to go where you need to go and does not let them determine your path.

Stop Dribbling

Double dribbling is a major rule, and something that must always be avoided. When you stop dribbling and then begin again is double dribbling. Your only options when you stop dribbling are passing the ball or shooting it. You are not allowed to recommence dribbling. That is also referred to as a turnover, and the ref will call it for your opponent.

There are several ways you can improve your basketball skills. Many are simple, like learning a concept and practicing it over and over. Practice is really the secret to becoming a master of anything, so be sure you have a hoop, ball and free time available regularly. No matter if you are practicing with teammates or shooting in your own driveway, the work you do is sure to pay dividends.