TIP! Dribble the ball correctly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead.

It is hard to overstate the love that so many millions of people have for the sport of basketball. 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. The guts of this article can help any fan or player do just that.

TIP! When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured.

Free throw practice is vitally important. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. Practice a lot with the following method. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Focus on the ball and visualize it going toward the goal. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.

TIP! A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes.

Free throws are as mental as physical. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail. Take a deep breathe, relax and block out all outside distractions before taking the shot.

TIP! You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it.

Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. Practice with each type of defense so you will know what to expect.

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

How would you like to trick the opposing team? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. Use the dominant hand to hold onto the basketball when trying this pass. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. This should help to trick the other team.

TIP! When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game.

If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.

TIP! If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

TIP! A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot.

When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.

TIP! You can prevent other players from stealing the ball from you by dribbling hard. If you dribble hard, the ball will go back to your hand quickly and the offense will not be able to snatch it easily.

Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this. Make them feel uncomfortable and to where they’re second guessing their next move. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. Do not let them choose the plays to make. If you allow this to happen, your opponent will have the upper hand. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.

TIP! Take charges whenever possible. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team.

You should ensure that you can clearly see. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes. Your peripheral vision should be at its best. If you scan the entire court, not just the location of the ball, it is possible to anticipate defense moves in advance and see which teammates are open.

TIP! Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body.

Take charges whenever possible. Turnovers are an important part of the game that can end up giving your team the upper hand. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.

TIP! To create a trapping machine in a standard 2-3 zone, have your two top defenders or your guards wait until point guard is about 10 feet from the time line or midcourt. Then they should run to the point guard and trap him.

Bend your knees when dribbling the basketball. Standing straight up lessens your ability to control the ball and increases the chances that it will be stolen. Just a slight bend in your knees can have a huge impact on ball control.

TIP! Practice various shots from various places on the court. You need to practice your grip and balance.

It is hard to rival the excitement and passion so many people feel for basketball. If you’re not completely familiar with how the game is played, you won’t be able to enjoy the sport fully. Hopefully the information learned here has helped you to have a better grasp on how to play better basketball.