When you want to understand how to cook something, you look up a recipe online. As you continue cooking new recipes, you are better at it, and your food comes out tastier. The same goes for the game of basketball, so read the helpful hints below to better your game.

When you rebound in basketball, make sure you make contact before your opponent.

You’ll be in control of what occurs if you are the first to make contact when boxing out. Hit them first before they get a chance to make contact with you so that you can get leverage. Be sure to anticipate and be sure you’re always first. This will provide you with an edge.

Balance is essential to shooting. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They improvise to do that. Non-professionals should focus on having good balance to ensure good shots. As time passes, you will make more and more baskets with this method.

When you are dribbling the ball, be sure that you are doing so with your head up. If you have your eyes on the ball instead while you are dribbling it, you cannot keep an eye on those defending you. This could lead to them stealing the ball away from you.

Make it your goal to dribble well with both of your hands. You’ll obviously start with your strongest hand when learning, but if you want to play basketball well, you’ll need to learn how to switch it up. This way you can keep your body between the ball and your opponent, no matter what the angle.

It is not always necessary to dribble the ball. In fact, you should only dribble it when it is part of your play. For instance, you will want to dribble the ball when you are trying to get the ball up the court, to get in a position for passing, or to get the defense off you.

Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand. The next step is to draw the ball behind you. Then do a wrist flick in the same direction that you want the ball to end up. This will confuse the opposition.

Proper aim is crucial when trying to make baskets. Ideally, you should aim for the small square found on the backboard. Doing this increases your chances of the ball actually going down the basket. Avoid trying to aim for the next; you are less likely to be successful when doing so.

Always know where the other players are, both on your team and the opposition. You need to know who is close enough to steal the ball from you, who you can pass to and who might be able to rebound if you miss. Staying on top of the game means knowing the lay of the land.

Remember that being good at basketball starts with being athletic. That means working on all of your skills, not just those which involve a ball. Run to build stamina and your cardiovascular health, and lift weights to build your strength. The harder you work on your overall condition, the better you will play.

As with almost all sports, good mental conditioning is as important as physical conditioning. It is a good practice to use deep breathing exercise before a game to get yourself in the proper frame of mind. A clear mind, focused on the game, is less likely to make mental errors during a game.

Become a great athlete. There are few great basketball players out there who aren’t also superb athletes in general. This is a very athletic sport, so prepare for it by playing all sorts of athletic games. This can be running, swimming, cycling, you name it. All of these sports will add to your abilities on the court.

Basketball is a sport anyone can enjoy, but only those who take the time to learn about it will find success with it. From practicing daily to reading expert advice, the more work you put into your game, the more you will get out of it. Today, use these tips and work towards success.