TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Defense is how you win a basketball game.

Now’s the time to learn all about basketball. Even if you are a basketball player, there are things left for you to learn. To do this, you must recognize that learning new things is an essential part of playing basketball. This article will give you some great advice about basketball. Read on to learn more about what you can do to become a better player and a more useful part of your team.

TIP! Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set.

Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet. Take the ball with you wherever you go. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.

TIP! Don’t spend all your time practicing how to confront a zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage.

You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. You have to do this quickly to be good at it. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.

TIP! If your kid is going to try out for the basketball team, they should be properly training their core muscles. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist. Bounce it 3/4 of the distance to the receiver. There are other things to keep in mind, though.

TIP! If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in.

You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

TIP! Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way.

Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. Once there, you have to firmly claim the area as your own. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.

TIP! Understand your opponent. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts.

If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.

TIP! When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games.

See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Can they tell you what you’re really good at? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

TIP! Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball.

As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Just like with boxing, you can do a little speed and footwork training with a jump rope.

TIP! You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. Guards will be attempting to stop you, so get around them.

These tips will help you take your game to the next level. Learning new tips is fun, especially when you see how well they work for you. Keep these tips in mind as you practice and play. Basketball can be fun!