In order to be great at basketball, you must remain dedicated and practice often. Even when you’re playing for fun, you probably wish to be the best at it. Well, if you read through this article then you’re going to be able to make great improvements towards being the best at the game.

TIP! Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will.

Learn to correctly dribble the ball. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling. This helps you to control the ball better. Bounce only at the level of your waist at the side and not in front. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.

Shooting has much to do with proper balance. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. They improvise to do that. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

TIP! Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run.

Constantly practice layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.

Do you want to fool the other team? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. This is a very useful trick to confuse the opposing team.

Core Muscles

One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. Strong core muscles help you with many movements associated with basketball.

TIP! To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This gives you better control of the ball.

Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.

Focus on your footwork and core strength when working out. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly. Work the muscles in your abdomen, back, buttocks and hips. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

TIP! Launch your layup jumps from the foot that is opposite the hand you shoot with. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off.

Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. Your dominant shoulder should also be lined up perfectly with the rim.

Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This can help you to remain balanced, continue moving toward the hoop, and will keep your body between the defender and yourself.

TIP! Build a consistent routine for your free throws. Inconsistent shooting will lead to inconsistent results.

To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. After a while, your weak hand will be able to dribble better.

Can you see well? Not to just be able to see the scoreboard, but to actually make a shot and catch a pass. Your peripheral vision should be up to par. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.

TIP! You must disrupt your opponent’s game when you’re playing defense. Don’t let them get comfortable.

Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body. Your opponent will assume you are slowing up, and thus will also straighten up. As they do, push forward hard and run by them.

Use a 2-3 zone as a way to trap opponents. You can do this by having guards wait for the point guard to come at least 10 feet past midcourt. The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap. At the same time, have your forwards on the blocks sprint out to the players on the wings. The point guard throws a pass that can be easily stolen by your forwards.

TIP! Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster.

Use the various techniques discussed in this article during your next ball game. You will begin to see a little improvement at a time. These steps will guarantee your improvement.