You have accessed this article to learn more about the great sport of basketball. As a devotee of basketball, your goal is to become the best. That takes a great deal of learning. Perhaps this piece has something to offer you. Read on to learn more about what you can do to become a better player and a more useful part of your team.

TIP! Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that.

You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. It should be done quickly. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They are professionals, and they are able to improvise successfully. You need the right balance to shoot; it is the only way to eventually make consistent baskets.

TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. Even though a professional can hit all sorts of crazy off-balance shots, it is not the ideal method of shooting that you want to learn.

Watching the pros play is a great way to see how great basketball players use their skills in the game. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos. You will notice great skills from different players that you can practice.

Practice the skill of pass catching. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. During a game, not all of your passes will hit the mark. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

TIP! A bounce pass is essential to learn. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist.

Never play through an injury on the court. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse. Continuing to play when you are in pain can make an injury worse. In case of serious injury, it is time to see a doctor.

When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.

TIP! Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard.

Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds. The ball will be turned over on a walking call if too many steps are taken with no dribble action. Being aware of your body movements can give you an advantage on the court.

Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.

TIP! If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions.

Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. You should work to make your opponent feel uncomfortable. Make aggressive plays. Other players should not influence the plays you make. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. Instead, disrupt their rhythm by making the first move.

You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. You must move the ball to have things happen.

TIP! Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it.

Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. The defender may be coming toward you, so its important to slip away from him and get the ball. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.

Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body. The guard will assume you are reducing speed and will do the same. When they do this, run ahead and push yourself forward.

TIP! If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so.

While you dribble, alternate your momentum from your left to right side. During a game, you’ll be dribbling in all kinds of situations. It is likely that you will be fending off two or more players from the opposing team. You must know how to dribble the ball no matter what your body is doing. Good dribbling skills will make getting out of a bad situation a lot easier.

With these tips, you should now feel this new energy to take to the court. It’s a lot of fun to learn something new and then see how you can do it yourself. Keep all of this in mind and improve your natural talents. Enjoy basketball every day!