TIP! Perfect your free throw. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult.

Basketball has a global audience with fans across the world. It’s something that anyone that’s any age is able to have fun with. When you play, you learn to cooperate with your teammates and have good sportsmanship if you win or lose. Learning more can begin with this article.

TIP! Free throws are as mental as physical. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss.

Dribble the ball the right way. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. This gives you the best ball control. Always dribble to your side, not your front. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.

TIP! Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. Try doing a back pass! Use the dominant hand to hold onto the basketball when trying this pass.

Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. It needs to get to the player at their waist. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.

TIP! If you have student that wants to play basketball for their high school team, they will need to spend some time training their core muscles. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on.

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will. Relax and concentrate on your basket to increase your free throws.

TIP! Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in.

Practice catching passes as often as you can. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect. During the course of a game, you can expect there to be many errant passes. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

Free Throw

TIP! Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. Do you have an area where you excel? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. Don’t dilly dally, but do complete your ritual.

TIP! If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies.

Practice looking in a different direction when you pass. Your opponents can really get confused by this, as well. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. It’s a great play if done properly.

TIP! Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game.

Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Slide your feet to and fro or use your opposing foot to push off to maintain your position. Don’t allow your feet to cross, and this will make you a hard defender to beat.

TIP! To maximize your layups, take off with the foot that opposes your shooting hand. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot.

Take any opportunity to strengthen your weaker hand and build your skill by using it to brush your teeth or open jars. If you’re able to do more with your other hand daily, you can start controlling it better. Your basketball skills will benefit.

TIP! Dribbling hard keeps the ball from being stolen from you. This makes the ball go back to your hand quicker, so offense has reduced chances at taking it from you.

Use the non-dribbling hand to create a buffer between the ball and your opposition. You can’t push the person guarding you, but you can hold your arm out gently. Keep it slightly up when you dribble with your opposite hand.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance when playing ball. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position.

Make sure that you are exercising properly for basketball. For example, building up your stamina will help you play your hardest throughout the game. Build up your core muscles and the strength in your forearms. This is also good for making you much more relaxed while you’re shooting the ball.

TIP! Change your pace up to throw the offense off. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up.

Why do so many people love basketball? It’s fun to play and it’s easy too. If you are in love with this game, the tips in this article will prove themselves to be priceless. Have fun playing, and improve your own gameplay by applying these tips.