TIP! Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more.

It is clear from fans around the world that the game of basketball brings happiness to so many people around the world. The fact remains that many people have a great deal to learn in terms of getting the most from basketball. Use the following advice to learn more about the game that you love.

TIP! Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist.

Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. Although, there will be other circumstances that are involved too.

TIP! You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage.

Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed. Relax yourself and focus on the hoop.

TIP! A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge.

Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. By doing this, you will quickly find that players all have their unique subset of skills, allowing you the best chance to see what areas are the best fit for your personal game.

TIP! Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? The back pass is perfect for this. Hold the basketball with your writing hand.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball. The use of hand signals can help you avoid this difficulty. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

TIP! Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

TIP! Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent.

Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Are you great at any one thing? Maybe you are nimble or you are reliably there to support them. By understanding what your teammates see as your best skills, you can ensure that you keep a strong focus and hone these abilities even more.

TIP! To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way.

A great way you can prepare for what happens on the basketball court is to avoid having your back to the ball. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.

TIP! Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds.

The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well. Do not allow your palm to come in contact with the ball either. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

TIP! If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Practice this maneuver by bouncing the basketball between your legs while taking steps.

Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Be sure shoulders always remain squared towards your hoop. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.

TIP! In order to become a better free throw shooter you need to have a good practice routine. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure.

Quickness is a key skill in basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. Don’t play too fast and risk your chances. Playing beyond your speed can result in bad passes and excessive turnovers.

TIP! Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball.

If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Step forward and back while dribbling the ball between your legs hard. If you manage to master this, you will have a tremendous advantage during games.

TIP! A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles.

Work on passing in a direction you are not looking. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. If you can do this correctly, you’ll be able to free up time for the person that you’ve passed to. It really can be a powerful technique.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. Shuffle your feet in a side to side motion, then use your opposite foot to push off and give you good leverage.

Basketball can be a great sport for play and for being a fan. However, you can enjoy the sport more by learning as much as you can about basketball. It is our sincere hope that the information presented here has given you some insights that will enhance your enjoyment of the game.