In order to be great at basketball, you must remain dedicated and practice often. This is true even if you only want to play for fun. These tips will help you become a much better basketball player.

TIP! It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Defense is essential to winning these games.

Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. Practice this technique regularly. Hold the ball level with your head. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. Shoot the basketball exactly as you saw in your mind.

Crossover Dribble

TIP! Get good at making free throws. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy.

Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling. The action needs to be performed quickly in order to be successful. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.

Proper balance is essential when shooting. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. They’re just improvising at this point. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.

TIP! Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands.

Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around. This is just fine. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Work on free throws or three pointers. You can always work on something.

Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. This helps keep you aware of the action, and it takes away the surprise factor. Scan the court looking for openings to make a basket.

TIP! If you have a child that is strength training for basketball, their core muscles should be properly developed. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on.

You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds. Taking too many steps without dribbling means a walking call and another turnover situation. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.

Free Throw

TIP! Never try to push through pain after an injury. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured.

Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, you won’t have any trouble having your body memorize what you’re doing.

If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.

TIP! Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected.

So, take the initiative and learn some new skills and start practicing and playing better today. You’ll see small improvements daily while remembering these tips and practicing them. Implement the strategies discussed in this article and talk to your coach about additional steps you can take to become a better player.