What do you know about basketball? Do you want to learn more about different tips that you can use when you’re playing? This article is going to explain a few things that will help guide you to be a better basketball player. Carefully consider the following information so that you can play at your best level.

Find out how to make free throw shots. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear. Practice often using the following technique. Place the ball right in line with your face. Your eyes should be on the goal. You should be thinking about the ball going in the hoop. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

When shooting a basketball, it is important to stay relaxed and stay focused. Tensing your forearms can result in a missed shot. Additionally, losing focus can cause you to miss a shot that you would normally make. To help keep you relaxed and focused, take a deep breath before shooting.

You should practice boxing out the other players to improve your rebounding. It is really easy to do, but many experienced players forget about it during the game. Boxing out is simply getting in front of the other player when the shot is in the air. This puts you in a prime position to grab the rebound.

When you have the ball, make sure you change your direction frequently. The entire court is open to you, and it is important to take advantage of that fact. As you move to the right or the left, make sure you shift your weight accordingly to have the easiest experience moving with the ball.

When shooting a free throw, keep your knees slightly bent and relaxed for best results. This stance allows you to jump vertically without shifting from right to left; thus, helping you maintain an even, accurate shot. Release the ball at the top of your jump for added momentum to the shot.

When dribbling, try to keep the ball low to the ground. This makes it more difficult for opponents to steal the ball away from you while dribbling. Keep the ball low and pass it from hand to hand while weaving in and out through your opponents. This will help you maintain control of the ball.

You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.

Stay low when playing defense. Keep your shoulders lower than the offensive player you are guarding will give you a better chance of moving more quickly. A lower stance will help you play the ball as well. Try to remain about an arm’s length away. When you get too far away, the other player can shoot easily.

Picking the right basketball shoe can be very important to your game. If you need support for your ankles, choose a high top sneaker. Make sure that the sole of the shoe has enough traction to prevent slipping. Always buy a shoe that is the correct size by having your feet measured at a sporting goods store.

When a teammate passes you the ball, make the most out of it. If you have an open shot, go ahead and shoot. If you do not have an open shot or think that you can get open, do the right thing and pass it along to another teammate. They may have the shot that you don’t.

Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This keeps it under control. You should avoid having your palm touching the ball. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.

If you wanted to know more about the game of basketball, then you should have learned something from this article. Now that you have read this information, you’re ready to take the ball to the court. Whether you play on a team or with friends, you can now improve your basketball skills.