Even the best basketball player does not know everything about the sport. The game changes constantly, players get better and you have to keep your skills sharp. Do you want to beat your opponents more frequently? Read on to find out how to get the edge on the competition.

TIP! Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise.

Perfect your layup technique. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. But, a series of other considerations can require you to make adjustments.

TIP! Look forward when dribbling. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.

Core Muscles

TIP! If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. Without a strong core, a player’s performance may not be as good as it could be. Strong core muscles help you with many movements associated with basketball.

Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court. Also, watch for areas to open up so you can make an easy basket.

TIP! To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. You’ve seen the pros fall out-of-bounds and shoot a basket up to 300 feet away, however, this isn’t proper technique.

Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Once you start to get to know the other team, you can do a lot better when you’re on defense. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.

One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. Playing fast requires steady drilling. Don’t play too fast and risk your chances. When you play too fast, you can lose control and that means turnovers.

TIP! Practice layups often. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups.

When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team. If you can do this correctly, you’ll be able to free up time for the person that you’ve passed to. Practicing this pass can really help to give your team the winning edge.

Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. Don’t assume that you are able to just stand anywhere, catch the ball and shoot it. You have to learn to move the ball if you want something to happen.

TIP! Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games.

After reading the above tips, you should feel confident in your skills on the court. These tips are designed to show you how to be the best player that you can be. Practice is the only way to master the game and it is a never ending learning process. Keep these tips in mind in order to bring your game up another level.