Have you imagined yourself as Larry Bird or Magic Johnson. Rather than just wanting to be great, why don’t you learn techniques to help you get better? Read on to learn how to go about doing this.

TIP! One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique.

Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand. This helps you to control the ball better. Dribble the ball around the height of your waist, and over to one side. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.

You should learn the best way to throw a great bounce pass. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received. One good rule of thumb is to bounce the ball around three quarters of the way to the other player. Of course, there are also other factors involved.

TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail.

When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

Don’t play when you are injured! The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury. By “playing through the pain” you take a huge risk that the injury will become much worse. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.

TIP! Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Watch as many games on TV as you can. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at.

You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. Do they feel you are really good at something? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. You can learn a lot about your skills by knowing how others see you on the court.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time. This routine will help you make your free throws, but make the routine a quick one.

TIP! Interested in tricking your opponents? Trick them using a back pass. To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand.

A good player on defense will annoy the heck out of the opponent and cause the other team to get flustered. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position. Execute aggressive moves. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. Make your moves first and end their patterns.

Exercise Routine

TIP! When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better.

Developing your muscle strength and flexibility will make you a better basketball player. Being physically tough is as important as having the stamina to keep up with the game. Even the youngest players need to have strong arms and legs. As they age, begin adding weights to their exercise routine. Once they transition into adulthood, strength training must continue to be a core part of their exercise routine.

When dribbling, bend your knees. Standing straight up lessens your ability to control the ball and increases the chances that it will be stolen. Some minor bending of the knees makes a big difference in your ability to control the ball.

TIP! Turning away from the ball can be a costly mistake in basketball. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials.

Work on dribbling the ball while switching the momentum of the body from side to side. This will have you ready for a game, when you will need to move any direction on a moment’s notice. You’ll have people guarding you on all sides. Going through the court will be easier if you can quickly adjust your direction without interrupting your dribbling. Not being able to do this leaves you open for the ball to be stolen.

Make sure your off-court exercise is appropriate to help your on-court game. You could, for instance, work on your sprint so you can perform plays faster, while running on a longer distance will help you build your stamina. Working out with weights helps to improve your muscles and the physical part of the game. This will also help you build confidence, a key aspect of performing well in any sport.

TIP! Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball.

These tips should give plenty of things to work on to improve your game. Practice consistently to help build your confidence. Learn from the advice in this article to become the best player you can be.