TIP! It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play.

Today is the day to learn about basketball. Even if you are a basketball player, there are things left for you to learn. Nonetheless, you can’t know everything there is to know. No matter how good you are, there is always more to learn. Perhaps this piece has something to offer you. Continue reading so that you can find some new ways to play this great game.

TIP! Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist.

Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. Crossovers can help you get out of a tight spot.

Passing Skills

TIP! When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. Muscle is good, but you can have too much.

You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

TIP! Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. Hold the ball using your dominant hand. Next, place the ball behind you. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.

TIP! If you have a kid wanting to play basketball in high school, be certain that they are properly training their core muscles. This includes their abs, lower back, and hips.

Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Basketball is sport played in teams, but there are times when no one is around to play with you. For concentration purposes, it can be good to practice on your own. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. You can work on pivots and free throws. There are always things that can be done.

TIP! Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch taped games, and keep current with scouting reports.

Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs. The core is what holds the body in balance and allows the limbs to work well. A well developed core lets a player generate force with their legs to be applied to faster running and jumping higher.

TIP! It’s great to be quick in basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast.

Quality footwork will help you get better shots. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Both of those skills rely on solid footwork.

TIP! If you want to dribble the basketball better, you need to practice dribbling with your weaker hand. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball.

Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected. You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.

TIP! Dribble with force to prevent the ball from being stolen. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you.

Don’t let the ball go behind your back. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Knowing where the other players are on the court helps you open passing lanes and gives you more opportunities to take a shot.

TIP! A great way to stay in a correct defensive stance is to always stay in position no matter what. Stay in the right position by pushing off of your opposite foot.

Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you are ready to get out there and play. 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. It is a great game to play and watch!