TIP! It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games.

Basketball is among the most loved and followed sports in the world. The fans number in the millions. If you want to step up your game or get more out of your game-watching experience, consider taking the time to learn more about the sport. This article will help you do that.

TIP! When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. By focusing your sight on the ball, you cannot be fully aware of your surroundings.

Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This technique passes the ball back and forth from the right hand to the left hand. It has to be done fast to be effective. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.

TIP! One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders.

Improving your balance means improving your shots. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. These players are using creative improvisation. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.

TIP! Watch how the pros play basketball. Watch pro games on TV, or attend games in person.

Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. One good rule of thumb is to bounce the ball around three quarters of the way to the other player. Of course, there are factors that should be taken into consideration when passing using the bouncing technique.

TIP! Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos. This is a great way to learn new techniques to try out on the court.

TIP! If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play.

Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. Learning how to catch these errant passes will put you at an advantage.

TIP! If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t let it frustrate you, just be patient.

TIP! If your child is training to be a high school basketball player, make sure that they train their core muscles properly. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles.

When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot. Plant your feet and own that spot. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

TIP! Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. Often in basketball, a player makes a pass at the exact same time the receiving player heads to another part of the court.

Ask your teammates what they like about the way you play. Are you really good at any one thing? You might be quick, or you might always be around to support them. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.

TIP! Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. Are you skilled at something? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable.

Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. You should be look at scouting reports, practicing techniques and watch tapes. Learn who the left handed players are and who the right handed ones are. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. When you are prepared, you play better defense.

TIP! When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. With strong core muscles, you will have better balance.

Work on core strength when you work out. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Give your hips, buttocks, back and stomach a workout. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

TIP! If you want to make the most of your layup, push up from the foot that is opposite the hand you will shoot from. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left.

When on defense, try to keep yourself low whenever you can. You will become faster and react faster. Keep yourself in proper defensive stance at all times. If you break the stance to shot-block, then recover the proper form immediately after the pass or shot.

TIP! Be slick with your feet so you can get a rebound from a teammate. Be aware that the defender who is below you will start moving in your direction.

To convert the typical 2-3 zone to a trapping machine, get the best pair of defenders available to wait just until the opposing point guard reaches roughly ten feet beyond the mid-court line. This is when they should trap him. While that is happening, your forwards should race out to the opposing wing players. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.

TIP! You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. The harder you dribble, the faster the ball will return to the cup of you hand.

Basketball is one of the best loved sports in the US, and it is played in many other countries as well. However, those who are new to the game may not really know what it is going on when they lack knowledge about the game. This article should have given you all you need to know.