Basketball is similar to many other areas of life. For instance, would you try fixing a car’s engine if you didn’t know how to do it? If you don’t know what you’re doing in basketball, how can you possibly get better? Read on and learn some nifty tricks from the experts of basketball.

TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Dribble the ball the right way. Avoid using your palm while dribbling. Instead, use your fingertips. This way you’ll have a lot more control over the ball. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Look up and never down at the ground.

To get better in your basketball game, focus on your strengths. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!

Bounce Pass

Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. Many other factors will affect it, too.

TIP! Practice playing by yourself. Many times you are unable to find people to play with.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong. Some overzealous shooting guards buffed up too much, and it had an adverse effect on their overall field goal percentages.

You may get injured while practicing or playing. Don’t try to play if you are hurt. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. By “playing through the pain” you take a huge risk that the injury will become much worse. In case of serious injury, it is time to see a doctor.

TIP! Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. This keeps you aware of what is going on so you aren’t surprised.

If you want to correctly handle the ball, you need to know where to place your fingers. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. In addition, keep your palm off of the ball. Remember to maintain contact with the ball through your fingers only.

Jumping Rope

TIP! Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. Monitor scouting news and watch footage of other teams in action.

Work on core strength when you work out. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Jumping rope is a favorite amongst professionals when practicing. By jumping rope, you improve speed and footwork.

It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. Out of bounds will happen with even one toe over the baseline of the lined play area on the court. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. Do not move your feet when attempting to set up a screen, a foul can be called.

TIP! Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds.

Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. Do you see anything you could do differently? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. It can help you to see how you really are instead of what you imagine you are.

Get into a consistent routine to improve your free throw shots. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off. The easiest way to make sure you’re doing great at free throws is to do repetitions of the same routines time and again. You are likely to miss your shot if you’re not settled into your routine.

TIP! Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Do you see anything you could do differently? Look at how you did and judge yourself.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Get them outside their comfort zone. Make aggressive plays. Keep them from deciding what moves to make. If you let them control the game, you will lose. Instead, make the first move and interrupt their rhythm.

Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling. Don’t just think you can place yourself in one spot, wait for the ball then hoist up a shot. Things rarely happen unless you are actually moving the basketball.

TIP! To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot.

To avoid turning the ball over to the other team, make sure that you’re dribbling hard. A hard dribble returns the ball back to you faster, leaving less chance of it being snatched by the other team. If another player is getting too close to you, it is best to pass the ball if a teammate is open.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up. The guard will think you are slowing down and will also straighten themselves. When they do this, run ahead and push yourself forward.

TIP! To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. As you see the defender moving in, quickly slip around to grab the ball.

Learning how to fix something gives you a feeling of pride that doesn’t compare to any other feeling. That is, unrivaled by any other except for reading all you can and learning how to better your basketball game. Becoming a basketball expert will allow you to win more games and wow your teammates.