Everyone loves basketball. It’s simple enough that nearly any age will like it. While playing, you learn cooperation skills and good sportsmanship. The article below is great for people that want to learn a lot about basketball.

Crossovers are key for ball handlers. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. This must be done quickly to be successful. After doing so correctly, a crossover gives you greater control over the court’s flow.

Bounce Passes

Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

Free throws are mental as well as physical. You must train both your body and your mind. Be relaxed and concentrate on the basket and you will help you make more free throws.

TIP! When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling.

If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.

Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. Be honest when assessing, but avoid being overly critical. Sometimes, it helps a lot to see yourself as you really are and not as just you imagine yourself to be.

Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. This will train your weaker hand to dribble and control the ball well.

TIP! You should often work on your layups. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. Try to block the net by planting your foot hard. You will have the guard think that you’re slowing down. In turn, they will straighten themselves. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball. Even kids can benefit by getting stronger through exercise. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. Playing as an adult, it is important that you focus on your stamina for optimal performance.

Just what makes basketball so very popular? It’s because the sport is so fun to play once you know the basics. If you enjoy basketball, the following tips will make your in-game experience even better. Have fun playing the game, and use these tips to improve your skills on the court.