TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Victory requires the ability to play defense.

Basketball fans transform whenever basketball season comes, whether it’s playing or just supporting their teams. Give your fans a reason to cheer by improving your game. Every member of a basketball team has strengths and weaknesses, so take stock of your skill and determine what you need to practice. Here are some tips to guide you along the way and to help you be a part of a winning team.

TIP! Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Keep the ball by your side as you dribble instead of right in front your body. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos. Every truly great player has unique skills that you can learn from.

TIP! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around. It’s okay! Solo games can help you immensely. You can work on pivots and free throws. There is always something to practice.

TIP! Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Consider the back pass. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. This is an aggressive sport, and injuries happen often. By “playing through the pain” you take a huge risk that the injury will become much worse. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

TIP! Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. Do not play beyond you capabilities, however. Playing beyond your capabilities will lead to bad passes and lots of turnovers.

TIP! When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging.

Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. Moving either of your feet when setting a pick, screen, or even take a charge will result in a foul.

TIP! If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court.

When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This should befuddle your opponent. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. When completed correctly, it creates an awesome play.

TIP! If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in.

To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. This helps to maintain balance throughout your body and allows you to use yourself as a barrier between the defender and yourself.

TIP! Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling.

Using your weak hand to brush your teeth can help you build skills with that hand. The more dextrous you become with it in your daily life, the better able you will be to control it. That can make your game better.

TIP! Perform drills where you attempt to get the ball up full-court in 5 dribbles or less. This may seem quite difficult at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll have great speed and stride length.

You can use a variety of methods to become a better basketball player. A player that’s good at what they do will have more fans in the stands that are cheering them on. Everyone has to play a part in the team and people that cheer on the games also have a big part to play too. Your part as a player is to assist your team any way that you can. The tips shared here can help you when it comes to knowing more about this fun sport.