Now is the time to begin finding out more about basketball. You are a player with love for the sport. Yet you do not know all there is to know about being a good basketball player. This article helps you learn a few things. Continue reading to learn what you can do to be a better player.

Balance is essential to shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They are going with the flow when this occurs. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.

TIP! Practice shooting free throws. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do.

Pay attention to what you are good at. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!

Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. 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.

Practice playing a man-to-man defense and 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. If you have not practiced against this, you may lose your grip of the game for the remainder of it.

TIP! You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in.

Practice basketball in season 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. This is perfectly acceptable. It is possible to get a lot done even when playing alone. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. Many things can be practiced.

If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Good footwork is key to a good basketball game.

Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. Your palm should touch the ball as little as possible. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.

TIP! Learn how a bounce pass is thrown. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

Build your core strength and work on your footwork. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles. Exercise your abdominal muscles as well as those of the hips, buttocks and back. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

Between the leg passes are usually helpful when another team’s players are riding you hard. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage.

Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance. Exercise your non-dominant hand by securing your dominant hand at your side or behind your back. Your weak hand won’t be that for long!

TIP! Make sure to practice catching passes. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes.

A good way to develop ball handling skills is to make your forearms and hands stronger. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine. Basketball requires its players to move quickly, shoot accurately and pass well. Strength and flexibility in your hands will allow you to move the ball more gracefully and swiftly.

Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. You will have easy layups on fast breaks and you will be able to advance your team easily.

When you have the chance, take charge. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball. This can hurt the other team’s players psychologically and can also be powerful when you’re creating plays.

TIP! Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard.

Try to contain the action to the area below your knees. This makes it more difficult for the opponent to take the ball. Practice moving quickly while dribbling below knee level.

Be sure to practice shooting from a variety of spots on the court. Initially, you need to practice both your grip and your balance. Shooting off balance is possible, but you will not be nearly as accurate with your shots. Perfect your grip by using the basketball valve. Spread your fingers, and place your dominant hand over the area where the valve is located.

Work together with the other players on the team. A cohesive team is an effective team, and basketball teams are no exception. That means knowing each players strengths and weaknesses and trusting them.

TIP! Want to trick the other team? The back pass is perfect for this. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand.

If you guard someone that bigger than you are, try staying between the person with the ball and them. That way, they will never be open to receive a pass, and they will not be able to make an easy shot over your head.

Understand when a pass is a better choice or when a shot is open. It is far better to contribute to the winning shot than be the only person involved in the shot that lost the game.

If you use these tips, you will feel a revived energy when you play the game. It’s a lot of fun to learn something new and then see how you can do it yourself. Once you have gained new skills and improved old ones with these tips, you can amaze your spectators. Enjoy yourself while playing, basketball is truly the best sport!