TIP! It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring.

Do you know everything you want to know about the popular game of basketball? There are others in your shoes! Having a guideline to the game can make basketball more enjoyable for you. The article that follows will give you some expert tips.

TIP! Practice shooting free throws. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate.

Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. Take your basketball everywhere. Dribble as you walk to the market. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.

TIP! When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling.

Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. After doing so correctly, a crossover gives you greater control over the court’s flow.

TIP! Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. Layup shots make up nearly 80% of a game’s shots.

If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.

TIP! Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Go to actual games or watch on TV.

Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try doing what is known as a back pass. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand. Then you will want to pull the ball into position behind your back. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

TIP! Remember to practice a lot of different possibilities so that you will not limit your game. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works.

Do not wait for any special season to play some basketball. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own. It’s okay! You can still do a lot on your own. You can practice free throws or pivot moves. You can always find things to work on.

TIP! To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential.

Try using hand signals to prevent passes in error. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball. Avoid this with hand signals that let you know if the player is open to receiving the pass. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.

TIP! If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. When you’re in a shooting slump it usually means that your shoulders are not square to the hoop.

If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. You won’t be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren’t in the right position. Ensure that you line up your shoulders so that they are squared with the basketball net. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

TIP! If your opponent is pressing hard, you can give yourself some room to work by dribbling the ball between your legs. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward.

When doing a layup, start running using the weaker of your two feet. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left. This balances your body when moving towards your basket. It keeps your body in between you and the defender.

TIP! The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Force them into an uncomfortable zone.

Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.

TIP! Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Do some wrist curls as much as possible and your dribbling should get better.

Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. This seems an impossible feat when you start. By working on this drill regularly you develop speed and great, lengthy strides. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.

TIP! Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. Plant a foot and start to straighten your body.

If you want to put pressure on the offense, you need to change the pace of things. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. This will confuse your opponent into adjusting their stance. When that happens, rush forward and power past them.

TIP! Always attempt to remain low when you are playing defense. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler.

To improve 3 point shooting, practice from NBA distance, at least. The line in every other league is closer. If you make your shots from where the NBA players shoot, you will improve your skills and increase your range.

TIP! If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. If you’re able to do more with your other hand daily, you can start controlling it better.

Work on dribbling the ball while switching the momentum of the body from side to side. This will happen during games frequently. You need to feel as comfortable with defense closing in on you, as you do in the open court. Because of this, you must be able to dribble efficiently regardless of your body’s position. It will help you when you need it most.

TIP! While you’re dribbling the basketball it is wise to bend your knees. If your knees are not bent, the basketball will be more difficult to control.

Be sure you do the sort of off-court exercises that help you during games. Running for short quick bursts at a time will help you become quicker, and running long distance can help with stamina. If you need to perform better shots, work on your resistance by doing some weight lifting. You will be able to shoot well with this confidence and aggression.

TIP! Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. During a game, you’ll be dribbling in all kinds of situations.

Although you can enjoy watching basketball without understanding the game, it’s more fun when you know what’s happening on the court. Now that you finished reading it, you can take what you learned, and play more like the professionals. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your game!