The first time you played basketball was probably very exciting. You probably learned how to dribble the ball and make a shot. Today, it may feel like you’re someone who knows everything about the game. But, after reading the piece that follows, you will discover that there remains a lot yet to be learned.

Free Throw

Practice your free throw shot. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. When practicing your free throw, concentrate on where you want the ball to go when it leaves your hands. First, keep the ball in front of you and at eye level. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Next, shoot with just the trajectory you saw.

If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. You have to do this quickly to be good at it. If you do it right, a crossover dribble will assist you in changing directions and getting down the court in an efficient manner.

Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own. Don’t worry! Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Practice free throws and layups. You can always do something.

Core Muscles

If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. Stronger core muscles will help them be more resistant and allow them to develop many different athletic abilities. Building strong core muscles will allow your to jump higher, run faster and maintain your balance.

Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. When shooting or passing the ball, only your fingers should contact the ball.

When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. Jump rope like the boxers do to increase your footwork speed.

Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. Don’t play too fast and risk your chances. You will end up in a turnover if you play too fast.

Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. If you step on the baseline, you will be out of bounds. The ball will be turned over on a walking call if too many steps are taken with no dribble action. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.

If you can take this advice to heart, you can win on the court. Build towards your goals with practice. When adding these tips, use them within the strategy you made to start seeing the improvements you’ve wanted.